LINCOLN -- Liz Cain sat in her immaculate log home Monday morning eating breakfast.

While the task may have been mundane, her company was anything but.

Actor Christopher Lloyd -- yes, Doc Brown from the "Back to the Future" movies and Reverend Jim from TV hit "Taxi" -- stood in Cain's kitchen, donning a blue and plaid bathrobe, preparing a batch of oatmeal.

Cain's famous houseguest had about 40 film crew members fluttering around him while they shot a scene for a movie adaptation of Jack London's "Call of the Wild."

"He's so cool," Cain said.

It was the first scene of another long day. The crew filmed until about 11:30 p.m. the night before, Cain said. The movie, which is being filmed in multiple locations in Lincoln as well as in Philipsburg, will include not only Cain and her husband Jerry's home but also their sled dogs.

Cain met with the movie's director last year at the Race to the Sky sled dog race and they discussed the arrangement.

"He said there will be 40 people. I said 'OK.' He said they'll tear your house apart. I said 'OK,' " Cain said.

While some of the lighting in the home was altered and some of the furniture was rearranged, the house was mostly intact Monday morning.

Director Richard Gabai said he picked Lincoln simply because "it was ideal."

"It's a Montana movie," he said before beginning shooting for the film, which will be in 3-D.

Gabai said he is indebted to the Cains and fellow Lincoln residents Rollie and Maureen Fisher for allowing the crews to shoot at their homes.

Cain said she watched most of the filming Sunday.

"It's going to be a really great movie, a refreshing family film," she said.

The movie is based on Jack London's classic and will integrate the original text into the film.

The story follows 10-year-old actress Ariel Gad who comes to Montana to visit her grandfather, portrayed by Lloyd. During her stay, she finds a wounded wolf dog named Buck, the same moniker as in London's book. The girl nurses Buck back to health and he becomes part of a sled dog team.

Gabai said he hopes the movie, which will be released sometime next winter, will entice children into reading the book.

Actor Kameron Knox chatted with Cain during a lull in the shoot.

"You have a beautiful home," said Knox, who is portraying a musher named Jack.

Knox, who lives in California, had the same thing to say about Lincoln.

"I love it. Everyone has been so nice. It's probably one of the most beautiful places I have been to," he said.

The film crew and actors have filled up three hotels in Lincoln until they depart Wednesday and have booked every room in Philipsburg for when they will soon shoot there, Gabai said.

Lincoln resident Dayne Tucker said the town is abuzz with the film. He said actor Jaleel White, best known for portraying Steve Urkel on TV's "Family Matters," was recently spotted dining in a local restaurant and the crowd was a bit star struck.

Other stars in the movie include "Friday Night Lights" actress Aimee Teegarden and "The Last of the Mohicans" actor Wes Studi.

Among the cameo appearances is expected to be one by Joyce DeWitt, who played alongside Suzanne Sommers and John Ritter in the television sitcom "Three's Company."

Linda Hamilton, Tucker's coworker at Mountainview Co-op, said she didn't know about the filming until a few days ago.

"It's cool," Hamilton said.

Reporter Angela Brandt: 447-4078 or angela.brandt@helenair.com