The Star Wars franchise has always been admired for its incredible visuals that draw you into this sci-fi epic. While the later films make extensive use of CGI effects for the setting, the earlier films were made during a time when these techniques were not as refined, and also exorbitantly expensive. This meant that every time you saw an alien jungle or barren desert, a real world location was likely used.
Here are some of the most remarkable real world locations that were used in the Star Wars franchise.
Las Vegas Deserts
Las Vegas is a city that is deeply intertwined with pop culture. Everything from the lights and glamour, to the interesting characters, and especially what it’s most known for, gaming, has been portrayed in various “mainstream” contexts. Naturally, this atmosphere has lent itself to many different films and television shows over the years.
The surrounding deserts often make for a dramatic backdrop as well. George Lucas must have felt the same when he decided to use the nearby “Death Valley” as the location of several crucial scenes from the original Star Wars film. Most of the long shots on Tatooine, including the famous moment when R2D2 runs into the Jawas were shot right here.
Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata, Tunisia
As a Star Wars fan, one spot that you absolutely cannot miss is Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata, Tunisia. The structure is a series of subterranean homes that were built centuries ago. It has since been converted into a lavish hotel but it may always be remembered first and foremost as planet Tatooine, the home of adolescent Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars film. Nowadays, it even has some props and memorabilia that will remind you of its famous history.
Wadi Rum, Jordan
Film buffs will instantly recognize this location as the backdrop for numerous blockbuster films. Lawrence of Arabia is the first that comes to mind, and is considered a one of the greatest films ever made. The Martian with Matt Damon is another more recent example. Wadi Rum has also been the perfect picturesque location for a couple of Star Wars films. Most recently in the Rise of Skywalker, we see Rey charging across the desert here with a lightsaber in hand, trying to outrun a spacecraft.
Reynisfjara, Iceland
The setting of Reynisfjara, Iceland is perfect for a sci-fi epic because of just how foreign it feels. It’s a still, quiet, and remote beach located in the south of Iceland and covered in rich, black sand. It’s for these reasons that it has become a popular location to shoot films and television shows like Game of Thrones, Prometheus, Batman Begins, and of course, Star Wars. In the film Rogue One, this location was used in the scene where Jyn Erso tries to save her father.
Redwood National Park, California
The Return of the Jedi is a fan favorite in the Star Wars franchise and has many memorable scenes that involve the adorable Teddy Bear creatures called Ewoks on their planet of Endor. In this film, we witnessed some exciting speed bike chases through a foreign and heavily forested area. Luckily for fans, you won’t have to travel to an alien planet to visit this location. It was actually shot right in California.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT5yWlGoBRc
Canary Wharf Station, London, England
Here is an interesting backdrop that isn’t a natural volcano or frozen beach, but actually something that was 100% man made. When the producers needed a futuristic and metallic location to serve as an imperial base in the 2016 film Rogue One, they decided to utilize something that was close and familiar. The metro station in London turned out to be perfect with its heavy usage of steel, glass, and concrete. Hilariously enough, English Star Wars fans recognized the station immediately upon seeing the film for the first time and took to social media to share their memes.
Villa del Balbianello, Lenno, Italy
Various spots around Italy make for the most romantic and picturesque places for couples. Apparently Anakin and Padme agreed and decided to take their vows here as well in the 2002 film Attack of the Clones.