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List of Star Wars filming locations

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Mos Espa marketplace film set, located in the Eriguet dunes north of Nefta in southwestern Tunisia

Multiple global locations were used for filming locations during the production of the Star Wars films to provide the setting for alien planets in the Star Wars Universe.

Most locations were used to shoot principal photography with actors; more recently as digital filmmaking has become more common, some prequel and sequel trilogy locations were shot with no actors present and digitally composited into the films to provide a backdrop of a story setting.

In addition to filming locations, a list of film studios is also included for reference.

Locations

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Listed below are locations used for filming of the following Star Wars films:

Map

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Map
Map of Star Wars filming locations

Location filming

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Image Location Country Episode Setting Notes


Salt flat in Bolivia Salar de Uyuni  Bolivia VIII Crait This salt flat served as the filming location for the Battle of Crait
Tall karst mountains in the mist seen from the Li river Guilin  China
(Guangxi)		 III Kashyyyk Footage of limestone karst mountains which was later composited into the film for the backdrop of Kashyyyk[1]
Main street of Dubrovnik Dubrovnik  Croatia VIII Cantonica The city served for the city of Canto Bight
View of Tikal over rainforest trees Tikal  Guatemala IV Yavin 4 Rebel Base Exterior panoramic shots over the Yavin 4 jungle towards the Massassi Temple[2][3]
Ice-covered mountain Eyjafjallajökull Eyjafjallajökull  Iceland VII Starkiller Base Snow scenes on the surface of Starkiller Base[4]
The cliffs by Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland Reynisfjara  Iceland R1 Planet Lah'mu A 20-minute drive from Vík í Mýrdal, Reynisfjara served as the setting for the planet Lah'mu.[5]
Skellig Michael island in the Atlantic Ocean Skellig Michael  Ireland VII, VIII, IX Ahch-To: Luke's refuge Final scenes: Rey meeting Luke Skywalker for the first time[4] VIII: Scenes of Luke's hideout and Rey's Jedi training
Dolomites and Misurina  Italy Solo Vandor-1 Footage of the snowy landscape of Vandor-1
Eruption of lava from Etna in 2002 Mount Etna  Italy III Mustafar The volcano erupted during filming of Episode III and Lucasfilm sent camera crews to shoot several angles of the eruption; footage was later composited into the background of the scenes set on Mustafar including the lightsaber duel of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.[6][7]
Sweeping marble staircase inside the Palace of Caserta Palace of Caserta  Italy I, II Naboo Royal Palace [8]
Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como Villa del Balbianello  Italy II Naboo lakeside Used for Anakin and Padmé's wedding scene overlooking Lake Como[9]
A mountain near the entrance to Wadi Rum Wadi Rum  Jordan R1, IX Planet Jedha and Planet Pasaana Wadi Rum is a popular desert location, also used in Lawrence of Arabia. This location earned the Royal Film Commission – Jordan the Location Managers Guild Award for best Film Commission in 2017.[10]
Islands on the north eastern fringes of Laamu Atoll Laamu Atoll  Maldives R1 Planet Scarif The Laamu Atoll makes up 82 of the 1,192 Maldivian islands. The atoll's Gan, which is one of the Maldives' largest islands, stood in for planet Scarif.[5]
Hardangerjøkulen Glacier Hardangerjøkulen Glacier and Finse 1222 Hotel  Norway V Hoth Exterior scenes during the battle of Hoth filmed on the glacier, and other scenes filmed from the hotel and surrounding area[11]


Fuerteventura in Canary Islands  Spain Solo Savareen Desert scenes on the surface of Savareen
Curved colonnade of the Plaza de España Plaza de España in Seville  Spain II Naboo: City of Theed [12]


snow-covered peak of the Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald Grindelwald  Switzerland III Alderaan Footage of mountain scenery which was later composited into the film for the backdrop of the planet Alderaan[13]
Phang Nga Bay, near Phuket  Thailand III Kashyyyk Aerial footage of limestone karst mountains which was later composited into the film for the approach over the Battle of Kashyyyk [14]
domed a mud building Ajim  Tunisia IV Tatooine | Mos Eisley Spaceport: Cantina (exterior), plaza, stormtrooper checkpoint, Docking Bay 94 alley Ajim city center neighborhood (Al-Hunit Mosque district). Djerba island.[15][16]
Amghar Mosque  Tunisia IV Tatooine | Obi-Wan Kenobi's house (exterior) Ibadi mosque (10th century CE). Ajim coastal outskirts. Médenine Governorate. Decommissioned place of worship. Amghar Mosque footage replaced in Episode IV Special Edition (1997).[citation needed]
remains of the Lars Homestead in the desert Chott el-Djerid  Tunisia IV, II, III Tatooine | Lars Homestead (exterior) Salt flats between the Kebili and Tozeur governorates. Film site area in northwest sector of Chott el-Djerid. West of Nefta.[17][16]
Sand dunes near Nefta Gour Beni Mzab  Tunisia IV Tatooine | dune sea (lifepod crash site & krayt dragon skeleton) Linear dunes system. Tozeur Governorate. West of Nefta. Film site location formerly associated with the name "La Grande Dune."[18][16][19][20]
Eriguet dunes (Mos Espa large set area)  Tunisia I, II Tatooine | Mos Espa marketplace & Mos Espa arena elements (grandstand, pit area, starting grid, viewing platform) Eriguet dune system. Salt-saturated barchanoid dunes south of Chott el-Gharsa. North of Nefta. Tozeur Governorate. Mos Espa arena elements are located north and west of the Mos Espa marketplace set (known also as the Mos Espa large set).[21][16]
Eriguet dunes (Mos Espa small set area)  Tunisia I Tatooine | Mos Espa slave quarters backyards & Mos Espa outskirts Eriguet dune system. Salt-saturated barchanoid dunes south of Chott el-Gharsa. North of Nefta. Tozeur Governorate. Located one dune east of the Mos Espa large set. Mos Espa small set remains are buried by dunes. Mos Espa small set was a reproduction of key elements found in the northwest corner of Ksar Hadada. Yardang field featured as film site area for Qui-Gon Jinn vs. Darth Maul lightsaber duel & Naboo spacecraft ramp scenes.[22]
Hotel Sididriss,Matmata Hotel Sidi Idriss  Tunisia IV, II Tatooine | Lars Homestead (interior) Located in Matmata al-Qadimal. Gabès Governorate. Hotel established in 1968. Consists of five interconnected subterranean (troglodyte) pit dwellings. Pit 2 is the film site location. Cave 9 in pit 2 is the Lars Homestead dining room.[23][16][24]
Ksar Hadada  Tunisia I Tatooine | Mos Espa slave quarters backyards & street Amazigh fortified granary village (mid-19th century CE). Tataouine Governorate. One of the largest remaining ksour in southeastern Tunisia. Film site area located in northwest corner of the ksar.[25][16]
Ksar Ommarsia  Tunisia I Tatooine | Mos Espa slave quarters street & Anakin Skywalker's hovel (exterior) Amazigh fortified granary (early 19th century CE). One of three remaining ksour in Médenine city center. Médenine Governorate. Film site location often erroneously identified as Ksar Médenine.[26][16]
Closeup of a rocky outcrop in Sidi Bouhlel canyon Maguer Gorge  Tunisia IV, I Tatooine | Jundland Wastes, desert wasteland bluff overlooking Mos Eisley, Canyon Dune Turn (Mos Espa podrace circuit)

Maguer Gorge located in Jebel Sidi Bouhlel mountain region. Dghoumès National Park. Tozeur Governorate. Often identified as Sidi Bouhlel Canyon due to the prominent shrine (Sidi Bouhlel Marabout) situated above the western ridge of the gorge. Nicknamed "Star Wars Canyon" by Lucasfilm crews. Numerous iconic scenes filmed inside, above, and at the entrance of the gorge. Lucasfilm returned to the gorge more than 20 years after filming Episode IV to shoot Episode I Tusken Raider sniper sequences for the Boonta Eve Classic podrace.[27][16][19][28]

Ong Jemel outcrop  Tunisia I Tatooine | Sith landing desert mesa, Canyon Dune Turn (Mos Espa podrace circuit) Ong Jemel (Arabic: "camel's neck"). Meteorized rock zooform. Chott el-Gharsa salt flats. Directly near the Eriguet dunes boundary. Tozeur Governorate. North/northwest side of the outcrop loosely resembles a camel's neck. No footage of this portion of the outcrop was featured in the film.[29]
Sidi Jemour Mosque  Tunisia IV Tatooine | Anchorhead main road, Tosche Station (exterior), Mos Eisley perimeter Ibadi mosque complex (16th century CE). Sidi Jemour coastal area. Groa outskirts. Médenine Governorate. Not a functioning mosque during Episode IV filming. Revived as a place of worship in 2013/2014. Extensive deleted Anchorhead/Tosche Station content filmed at this location involving Luke Skywalker, Biggs Darklighter, Camie, and The Fixer. Only Episode IV footage featuring this location is the Mos Eisley perimeter transition plate.[30][16][31]
Sunset over the Rub' al Khali sand dunes Rub' al Khali  United Arab Emirates VII Jakku Desert scenes on the planet Jakku[32][4]
Empty expanse of tarmac at Bovingdon Airfield Bovingdon Airfield, Hertfordshire  United Kingdom
(England)		 R1 Scarif Battle scenes on the surface of Scarif[33]
Interior of Canary Wharf Canary Wharf  United Kingdom
(England)		 R1 Imperial Base London's Canary Wharf tube station was used as the setting for the Imperial security complex on Scarif. The Norman Foster-designed station's escalators and glass safety doors are particularly noticeable in the film.[5]
View over Derwentwater towards Maiden Moor Derwentwater, Cumbria  United Kingdom
(England)		 VII Takodana Lakeside setting of Maz Kanata's Castle on Takodana; some Lakeland Fells in the background are altered with CGI[34][4]
Ivinghoe Beacon seen from The Ridgeway Ivinghoe Beacon  United Kingdom
(England)		 IX Kef Bir Hill location covered in grassland[35]
moss-covered rocks in Puzzlewood Forest Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean  United Kingdom
(England)		 VII Takodana Forest scenes on the surface of Takodana[36][4]
Cardington 2003 RAF Cardington, Bedfordshire  United Kingdom
(England)		 IV, R1 Yavin 4 Rebel Base Interior of disused WWII airship sheds were used for the Rebel Base hangar scenes inside the Massassi Temple on the Fourth Moon of Yavin IV; Shed 1 was used in Ep.IV and Shed 2 was used for Rogue One.[37][38]
Disused missile silo at RAF Greenham Common RAF Greenham Common, Berkshire  United Kingdom
(England)		 VII, VIII D'Qar Disused aircraft revetments formed the backdrop for the Resistance Base[39][4]
Thirlmere Reservoir Thirlmere, Cumbria  United Kingdom
(England)		 VII Takodana Low-level X-Wing flight sequences over Takodana; the background was apparently flipped horizontally[34][4]
Glade in Whippendell Wood Whippendell Wood, Cassiobury Park, Watford  United Kingdom
(England)		 I Naboo forest scene First meeting of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi with Jar Jar Binks.[40][41]
Imperial Sand Dunes ni the Yuma Desert Buttercup Valley (Imperial Sand Dunes)  United States
(California)		 VI Tatooine | dune sea Buttercup Valley is located in southeastern California ca. 10 miles from the Arizona border. Yuma (Arizona) is the closest town to the film site. Location used for the Great Pit of Carkoon scene. [42][43] Lucasfilm returned to this area in August 1995 to shoot additional action for the Episode IV Special Edition (1997). Footage of stormtroopers roaming the dune sea in search of droids was fused with the original content filmed in the Gour Beni Mzab dunes (Tunisia) in March 1976.[44][45]
Mesquite Sand Dunes in Death Valley
Dante's View looking North
C-3PO and NPS ranger		 Death Valley National Park  United States
(California)		 IV Tatooine desert

Several Tatooine scenes:[2][46]

  • Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes - scene where R2-D2 goes his separate way after he and C-3PO crash their escape pod on Tatooine (spliced with footage shot in Tunisia)
  • Artists Palette & Golden Canyon - Canyon where R2-D2 is abducted by Jawas (spliced with footage shot at Sidi Bouhlel, Tunisia)
  • Artist's Drive - Where the miniature Sandcrawler was filmed for the shot of R2-D2 being carried up to it by Jawas
  • Desolation Canyon - Canyon where Tusken Raiders mount Bantha before Luke Skywalker is attacked (spliced with Sidi Bouhlel footage)
  • Dante's View - panoramic establishing shot of Mos Eisley (spliced with Sidi Bouhlel footage of Luke and Obi-Wan standing on rocky outcrop)
dense redwood forest in the Redwood National Park Del Norte County, CA  United States
(California)		 VI Endor Forest scenes on the moon of Endor
Wide, rocky sandy canyon with path Twenty-Mule Team Canyon, Death Valley, California  United States
(California)		 VI Tatooine: Road to Jabba's Palace Two Tatooine scenes:
  • C-3PO and R2-D2 walk up to the Palace of Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine.
  • "Lost scene" of Luke Skywalker working on a new lightsaber in a cave overlooking the Millennium Falcon and his X-wing, followed by R2-D2 and C-3PO starting their trek to Jabba's palace.

Studios

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Image Location Country Episode Setting Notes
Fox Studios Sydney Fox Studios, Sydney  Australia
(New South Wales)		 I, II, CW, III, R, VII, IX
The white lodge at Ealing Film Studios Ealing Studios  United Kingdom
(England)		 II
Stage 7 at Elstree Studios Elstree Studios  United Kingdom
(England)		 II, III, R1, IV, V, VI The largest Stage 6 was built specifically for The Empire Strikes Back in 1979 (since demolished)
Leavesden Studios Leavesden Studios  United Kingdom
(England)		 I
File:Entrance to Pinewood Studios Pinewood Studios  United Kingdom
(England)		 VII, R1, VIII, Solo, IX
File:Entrance to Shepperton Studios Shepperton Studios  United Kingdom
(England)		 III, IV Stage H was used for the final awards ceremony at the end of Episode IV

See also

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Behind-the-scenes documentaries:

References

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Notes

  1. ^ Simon Foster, Candice Lee (2012). "12. Guilin". Frommer's China. John Wiley & Sons. p. 598. ISBN 9781118223529.
  2. ^ a b Hearn 2005, p. 109
  3. ^ "Star Wars trek: Tikal, Guatemala". Star Wars Locations. April 2004. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Hashim, Shakeel. "See the real life filming locations of Star Wars: The Force Awakens". News Corp Australia. News.Com.Au. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Carey, Meredith (16 December 2016). "6 Star Wars 'Rogue One' Filming Locations You Can Visit Right Now". Conde Nast Traveller. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  6. ^ Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith DVD documentary Within a Minute, [2005].
  7. ^ "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith press text booklet" (PDF). Lucasfilm Ltd. 31 March 2005. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  8. ^ Hanson, Matt (2005). "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace". The science behind the fiction : building sci-fi moviescapes. Burlington, Mass.: Focal Press. p. 75. ISBN 9780240807720.
  9. ^ "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones film locations". The Worldwide Guide to Film Locations. Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  10. ^ "RFC bags 'Outstanding Film Commission' Award". Jordan Times. 10 April 2017.
  11. ^ Lundgren, Anthony Ham, Miles Roddis, Kari (2008). Norway (4th ed.). Footscray, Vic.: Lonely Planet. p. 190. ISBN 9781741045796.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Symington, Andy (2004). "Sevilla". Andalucia (4. ed.). Bath: Footprint Handbooks. p. 76. ISBN 9781903471876.
  13. ^ Stephens, Thomas. "Giving Swiss film locations some direction". SwissInfo.ch. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  14. ^ "Phuket: the ultimate movie location". The Phuket Observer. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  15. ^ "Ajim". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i Daniel Jacobs and Peter Morris (2001). "Jedi Stomping Ground". Tunisia (6th ed.). London: Rough Guides. p. 319. ISBN 9781858287485. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  17. ^ "Chott el-Djerid". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  18. ^ "Gour Beni Mzab". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  19. ^ a b Hearn 2005, p. 116
  20. ^ "The Dunes". Star Wars locations. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  21. ^ "Eriguet dunes (large set area)". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  22. ^ "Eriguet dunes (small set area)". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  23. ^ "Hotel Sidi Idriss". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  24. ^ Carvin, Andy (25 January 2006). "The real Star Wars?". ASAP. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 13 October 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  25. ^ "Ksar Hadada". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  26. ^ "Ksar Ommarsia". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  27. ^ "Maguer Gorge". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  28. ^ Kenworthy, Colin. "Colin's Canyon Quiz". Star Wars Locations. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  29. ^ "Ong Jemel outcrop". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  30. ^ "Sidi Jemour Mosque". Galaxy Tours. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  31. ^ "Sidi Jemour". Star Wars Locations. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  32. ^ Ali, Lorraine (3 December 2015). "The harsh reality of building a 'Star Wars' fantasy in Abu Dhabi". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  33. ^ "When Star Wars went to the Maldives - and brought its idyllic beaches back to Britain". RadioTimes. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  34. ^ a b Abbit, Beth (14 December 2015). "Watch: Fascinating video pinpointing exactly where Star Wars scenes were filmed in the Lake District". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  35. ^ "Ivinghoe Beacon part of the Star Wars universe?". Mix 96. UKRD. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  36. ^ "Star Wars: Puzzlewood 'magical' location for filming". BBC News. 17 December 2015. Archived from the original on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  37. ^ "Cardington Sheds to make a Star Wars comeback". Bedfordshire on Sunday. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  38. ^ Lewis, Rebecca (20 December 2016). "11 things you may not have known about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story". Metro. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  39. ^ "Close up photos of the Star Wars: Episode VII Greenham Common set | Making Star Wars". makingstarwars.net. 21 September 2014. Archived from the original on 1 May 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  40. ^ "The Park on TV". Cassiobury Park website. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  41. ^ "Star Wars trek: Whippendell Woods - November 2001". Star Wars Locations. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  42. ^ Hearn 2005, p. 140.
  43. ^ Duke, Brad (2005). "18. Life Among the Aliens". Harrison Ford : the films. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland. p. 103. ISBN 9780786420162.
  44. ^ David West Reynolds and Scott Chernoff (March 2000). "Star Wars Insider" (48). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  45. ^ "Return of the Jedi Official Collectors Edition". Paradise Press. 1983. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  46. ^ "Star Wars trek: Death Valley - April 2001". Star Wars Locations. Retrieved 28 March 2012.

Sources

  • Howard, Marcus Hearn ; foreword by Ron (2005). The Cinema of George Lucas. New York: Abrams. ISBN 0810949687.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Film locations of Star Wars.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Star Wars tourism.
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