Alien invasions still profitable business for New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The alien sequel “Independence Day: Resurgence” might have destroyed cities across the United States.

But the film generated more than $44 million for New Mexico, where the alien-invasion movie was filmed, according to the Motion Picture Association of America.

Numbers released by Twentieth Century Fox on Friday showed the movie hired more than 5,750 New Mexico workers and paid them around $19.4 million in wages. It also sparked more than $3.72 million spent on hardware and lumber supplies, numbers showed.

The film spent 158 days on location in New Mexico, and the production, filmed at Albuquerque Studios, hired several New Mexico businesses.

New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis said the “Independence Day” numbers demonstrate the effect the film and television industry has on the state’s economy.

The industry in recent years has stepped up productions in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

The AMC-TV series “Breaking Bad” was filmed in Albuquerque and has generated “Breaking Bad”-related tours. Its prequel, “Better Call Saul,” is filming in Albuquerque.

And earlier this week, the AMC network has announced that it has renewed the series “Preacher” and will expand the second season to 13 episodes.

That show, which is filmed in Albuquerque and just completed its first season, follows a West Texas preacher named Jesse Custer, who is inhabited by a mysterious entity that causes him to develop an unusual power.