Canada has been the stand-in for many American blockbuster films, including Brokeback Mountain, filmed in Alberta, and Chicago, shot in Toronto.

There is now a push on to see the movie version of Dallas, the long-running television series, filmed in Hollywood North -- and Texans are kicking up their boots over the idea.

The Dallas Film Commission has launched the "Shoot JR in Dallas" campaign in the hopes that the film's producers will choose to make the movie in North Texas.

"There's the money to our economy, there's the jobs, but there's also a sense of civic pride and also a bit of a bruised ego and a black eye if we can't land the 'Dallas' movie in Dallas," said the commission's Janis Burklund.

The problem is that unlike places such as Toronto, Louisiana and Florida -- all bidding for a chance to host the film -- there are few financial incentives for movie makers in Dallas.

The Texas legislature passed a bill in May 2005 that would provide as much as a $750,000 US rebate to productions. However, the legislation was never funded in the state budget.

Now, Dallas officials are hoping the private sector will provide incentives to the film's producers, so they don't lose out on an estimated $30 million US they believe the film will generate for the local economy.

"We've met with the producer in L.A., and he's come to Dallas and they've driven around, and they know that this would be a great place to film," Dallas Mayor Laura Miller told reporters.

Michael Costigan, co-producer of the big-screen version, told the Star Telegram newspaper in Fort Worth, Tex., in February that while he would like to film the movie in Dallas, 20th Century Fox has urged them to shop around.

"Honestly, Dallas was never high on the list, because it didn't seem like a feasible, economic place to do the movie," said Constigan. He served as executive producer of Brokeback Mountain.

The film version of Dallas is based on the hit television series that ran for 13 seasons from 1978 to 1991. Its most talked about episode was in 1980, when an estimated 83 million TV viewers tuned in to find out who shot J.R. Ewing. (It turned out to be his sister-in-law Kristin)

The movie, to be shot later this year, will update the saga, with John Travolta rumoured to be staring as J.R. Ewing. Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta-Jones have also been suggested as possible cast mates.

Exactly who will win the bidding war to get Dallas is still unclear. But aside from money, the other major consideration will be finding that big mansion-style house to serve as Southfork, the Ewing family homestead.

Calgary Film Commissioner Beth Thompson admits the city doesn't have large mansions, but says it could provide the scenery.

Toronto, which has set the scene for Chicago and a host of other films, has the homes, but not the plains.

The Canadian locations will be going up against Jacksonville, Fla., also a strong contender. It has been used as the stand-in for movies set in the Persian Gulf, Panama and New England, and Travolta has a home nearby.

Either way, the winner could be known within the next few weeks, when Fox is expected to announce a decision on location and casting, according to the Star Telegram.

With a report from CTV's Scott Laurie