How do you create a place that doesn’t exist? That was the challenge by George Lucas, JJ Abrams, and company in filming the Star Wars saga. Several filming locations were filmed and set pieces were built to create the atmosphere of planets in a far away galaxy. The deserts of Tatooine can be found in both Tunisia and the US, the ice planet of Hoth was actually a glacier in Norway, and even the resistance air base on D’Qar is a real air force base found in the UK. Star Wars filming locations can found all over the map, and most can even be visited.
While plenty of filming took place in the studio, the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, and Episode VII all benefited from location shots. The original trilogy didn’t have the technological advancements or budget available like the newer films, so the choice was more out of necessity. However, by Return of the Jedi, it became more difficult to film without fans flocking to see the action. The prequels (for better or worse) used green screen technology, but the filmmakers were able to shoot real scenery to use in the backdrops. They still shot some scenes on location, but by shooting in studio, they were able to avoid the crowds of onlookers, not disturb some of the historic locations used, and take advantage of the current technology at the time. For The Force Awakens, most location filming either took place in secret or under maximum security to avoid crazed fans. Seriously, there were people flying drones over the set trying to get pictures! It’ll be interesting to see how they handle filming for future Star Wars films. For now, take a planet-by-planet look through all the filming locations used for Star Wars Episodes I-VII in our latest infographic.
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Star Wars Filming Locations Transcript
The many locations in the Star Wars saga may be imagined to be in a galaxy far, far away, but the reality of the matter is that all those planets are based on or were actually shot in real locations here on Earth. While some planets were created entirely in a studio, many landscapes and set pieces were filmed on location. From core worlds like Coruscant all the was to Luke Skywalker's secret hiding place on Ahch-To, travel the globe as we take a look at all the filming locations from the Star Wars films.
Naboo
City of Theed
Episode II
- Plaza de Espana Seville, Spain
Theed Royal Palace, Naboo
Episode I&II
- Palace of Caserta, Caserta, Italy
Anakin & Padme's Wedding
Episode II
- Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como, Italy
Gungan Sacred Place
Episode I
- Whippendell Woods, Watford, England
Darth Maul Duel & Additional Scenes
Episode I
- Filmed in Studios
Tatooine
Tatooine Desert
Episode IV & VI
- Death Valley National Park, California*
*Spliced with Tunisia scenes
Great Pit of Carkoon
Episode VI
- Yuma Desert, Buttercup Valley, Imperial Sand Dunes, Southern California, USA
Mos Eisley Cantina
Episode IV
- Ajim Ferry Port, Djerba, Tunisia*
*Additional scenes produced in studio
Lars Homestead
Episodes II, III, & IV
- Hotel Sidi Driss Mamata, Tunisia (interior)
- Chott el Jerid, Tunisia (exterior)
Tatooine Desert & Mas Espa Slave Quarters
Episodes I, II, &IV
- Ksar Hadada, Tunisia
- Ksar Medenine, Tunisia
- Ksar Queld Soltane, Tunisia
- Oung Jmel, Tunisia
Canyon on Tatooine
Episode IV
- Sidi Bouhlel near Tozeur, Tunisia
Coruscant
Episodes I, II, & III
- Filmed in studio
Kashyyyk
Kashyyyk Backdrops
Episode III
- Guilin, China
Battle of Kashyyyk
Episode III
- Phang Nga Bay, Near Phuket, Thailand
Additional Scenes
Episode III
- Filmed in studio
Mustafar
Mustafar Backdrops
Episode III
- Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy
Lightsaber Duel
Episode III
- Filmed in studio
Alderaan
Alderaan Mountains
Episode III
- Bernese Alps, Grindelwald, Switzerland
Death Star I
Death Star Interior Scenes
Episode IV
- Filmed in studio
Death Star Exterior Scenes
Episode IV
- Filmed in studio
Yavin 4
Rebel Base Exterior Scenes
Episodes IV
- Temple IV, Tikal, Guatemala
Rebel Base Temple Interior
Episode IV
- Filmed in studio
Hoth
Exterior Scenes & Battle of Hoth
Episode V
- Hardangerjokulen Glacier, Hordaland, Norway
Battle of Hoth
Episode V
- Filmed in studio
Dagobah
Dagobah Swamp
Episode V
- Filmed in studio
Bespin
Cloud City, Bespin
Episode V
- Filmed in studio
Death Star II
Death Star II Interior/ Exterior
- Filmed in Studio
Endor
Episode VI
- Redwood National Park, Del Norte County, California
Jakku
Episode VIII
- Rub' al Khali Desert near Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Takodana
Woods Surrounding Mas Kanata's Castle
- Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Air Fight Between Resistance & First Order
Episode VIII
- Lake District National Park, England
Interior of Maz's Castle
Episode VIII
- Filmed in studio
D'Qar
Resistance Base
Episode VIII
- Royal Air Force Greenham Common, Berkshire, England
Starkiller Base
Exterior and Interior Scenes
Episode VII
- Filmed in studio
First Order Rally
Episode VIII
- Krafla Volcano, Iceland
Ahch-to
Luke's Hiding Place
Episode VII
- Skellig Michael, Ireland
Studios
(*=Primary location)
- Elstree Studios (Borehamwood, England)
- Episodes II, III, IV*, V* & VI*
- Fox Studios (Sydney, Austalia)
- Episodes II*& III*
- Pinewood Studios (Buckinghamshire, England)
- Episode VII*
- Leavesden Studios (Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England)
- Episode I*
- Shepperton Studios (Shepperton, Surrey, England)
- Episodes III & IV
- Ealing Studios (London, England)
- Episode II
- Bad Robot Productions (Santa Monica, California, USA)
- Episode VII
Sources: Starwars.wikia.com, starwars.com, en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, movie-locations.com, starwarsplaces.com, starwarsplaces.com, atlasofwonders.com
Do you plan on visiting any of these locations? What's your favorite Star Wars planet? We think Naboo looks like an ideal location as opposed to the extreme heat of Mustafar or the blistering cold of Hoth. If you're planning on visiting any of the Star Wars filming locations, be sure to pick up some awesome Star Wars costumes and accessories so you can enjoy a lightsaber battle in the same places as they took place in the movie!
Design Credit: Brady Johnson
