Principal photography has begun on Universal and Working Title’s Paul, written by and starring British actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The film is shooting in New Mexico.

Directed by Greg Mottola, Paul tells the story of two sci-fi geeks, played by Pegg and Frost, who embark on a road trip to the centre of America’s UFO heartland: Nevada’s Area 51 and encounter a fugitive alien called Paul.

The film also features Seth Rogan, who is providing the voice of the alien, alongside Jason Bateman, Kirsten Wiig, Bill Hader and Jane Lynch. Working Title’s Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan will produce with Nira Park of Big Talk Productions.

The film is the third collaboration between Working Title and Pegg and Frost following Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead.