<P> A Million Ways to Die in the West originated as an inside joke between MacFarlane and co-writers Sulkin and Wild, while they were watching Hang' Em High . The joke evolved into "riffing on the idea of how dull, depressing, and dangerous it must have been to live in the Wild West ." MacFarlane, a lifelong fan of westerns, began researching the topic, using Jeff Guinn's nonfiction novel, The Last Gunfight: The Real Story of the Shootout at the O.K. Corral--And How It Changed the American West as an "invaluable resource," and basis for many of the ways of dying in the film . Various aspects of the film were inspired by real westerns . The decision to make Albert a sheep herder was inspired by Montana (1950) and his average, non-confrontational demeanor by 3: 10 to Yuma (1957). Other westerns that inspired MacFarlane and the crew during writing included Oklahoma! (1955), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), and El Dorado (1966). The film was first announced on December 3, 2012, marking MacFarlane's second foray into live - action directing, after 2012's Ted . </P> <P> On January 30, 2013, it was announced that Charlize Theron had joined the film . Theron later revealed that she "begged" for her role . On February 11, it was announced Amanda Seyfried had joined the film . On March 6, it was announced Liam Neeson and Giovanni Ribisi had joined the film . Neeson, who nearly always suppresses his Irish accent when acting, agreed to play the part of Clinch only on the condition that he could use his Irish accent . In an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Neeson remarked that he made this demand because an episode of MacFarlane's Family Guy had previously made a joke out of the juxtaposition of Neeson playing a cowboy with an Irish accent . On March 18, it was announced that Sarah Silverman was cast to play a prostitute in the film . On May 10, it was announced that the film would be co-financed by Media Rights Capital and Fuzzy Door Productions, along with Bluegrass Films and distributed by Universal Studios . On May 11, 2013, it was announced that Neil Patrick Harris had joined the film . On May 29, 2013, MacFarlane announced that Bill Maher had joined the cast . On February 21, 2014, he announced that Gilbert Gottfried had also joined the cast . </P> <P> Principal photography began on May 6, 2013 . Filming locations included various areas in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, also including the Santa Fe Studio in Santa Fe . Principal photography ended on August 9, 2013 . The film shoot was difficult, as the cast and crew navigated rough weather: "everything from hailstorms to blistering heat to arctic winds and torrential rainstorms ." </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> A Million Ways to Die in the West </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Soundtrack album by Joel McNeely </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Released </Th> <Td> May 27, 2014 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Recorded </Th> <Td> 2014 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Genre </Th> <Td> Film score </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Length </Th> <Td> 41: 20 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Label </Th> <Td> Back Lot Music </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Joel McNeely film scores chronology </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> <Table> <Tr> <Td> The Pirate Fairy (2014) The Pirate Fairy 2014 </Td> <Td> A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014) </Td> <Td> Home (2015) Home 2015 </Td> </Tr> </Table> </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Where was 1 million ways to die in the west filmed