The Jasper National Park is famous for a number of reasons – the stunning scenery, world-class hiking trails and adventure possibilities, and now the park can add Hollywood movie destination to that list. 

Alpha and Omega, a story about two wolves living in Jasper National Park who are captured and sent to Idaho to re-start the declining wolf population, opened in theatres on Sept. 10 in Calgary. The movie stars Justin Long (Going the Distance, Youth in Revolt, Waiting), Hayden Panettiere (Heroes) and the late Dennis Hopper, in his last film role before his death in May. 

A handful of excited Parks Canada employees from Jasper, including Jasper the Bear, were on hand to see the Canadian premiere of the film in both Calgary and Vancouver. 

The Chaba Theatre will be showing Alpha and Omega this weekend starting Friday. Check out Chaba’s movie listings on pg. 11 for show times. Parks staff will be on hand at the Chaba Theatre with information on wolves in the park, and a naturalist will discuss the events that inspired the movie. 

Sean Nardella, visitor experience and promotions person for Parks Canada, attended the film in Calgary on the opening day and wrote a review that will be featured in next week’s Fitzhugh.