Rogue One doesn’t just tell a story, it shows one. The ships, battles, and heroes all feel real, but it’s the places that leave a lasting mark.
From calm blue waters to rough mountain cliffs, the movie gives each planet a strong look and mood. These aren’t just digital effects.
Many scenes were shot in real countries across the world. That choice gave Rogue One a grounded, gritty feel that fans remember.
Viewers might not know the names of these places, but they’ve seen them, lit by blasters and framed by war. This blog takes a closer look at the lands behind the lens.
How Rogue One Chose its Filming Locations?
The Rogue One team picked filming spots that looked real but still felt like another world. They wanted wide open lands, strong shapes, and places with bold color.
The goal was to make each planet look different: beaches for Scarif, deserts for Jedha, and cliffs for Eadu.
They looked for places where they could film large action scenes without needing full sets or too much CGI. Weather, light, and space to move the cameras also mattered.
Some places were chosen for their remoteness, while others were chosen for their proximity to film studios. Each spot had to match the mood of the scene.
Real-World Filming Locations Used in Rogue One
Rogue One was filmed in many places across the world. These real locations helped bring the story to life by adding detail, mood, and realism. Below are the main filming locations and the scenes they were used for.
1. Laamu Atoll, Maldives – The Planet Scarif
Image Source: Dreaming of Maldives
Location: Indian Ocean
Country: Maldives
The final battle in Rogue One takes place on the planet Scarif. It’s a tropical place with blue waters, sandy shores, and palm trees. These scenes were not made on a computer. They were filmed in the Laamu Atoll in the Maldives.
Laamu is made up of small islands with white sand and clear water. It was the perfect match for the Empire’s beach base. The crew used real islands and added digital buildings later. The mix of real water and fake space tech made Scarif feel real and exciting.
Why It Was Chosen
- Bright blue water and white beaches gave a fresh look to a Star Wars battle.
- Easy to film wide shots and water landings.
- The tropical setting made Scarif different from any planet seen before.
2. Wadi Rum, Jordan – Planet Jedha
Image Source: Business Insider
Location: Wadi Rum Desert
Country: Jordan
The holy city of Jedha is shown early in the movie. It is a dry, dusty place where stormtroopers patrol and people live in fear. These scenes were shot in Wadi Rum, a desert in Jordan.
Wadi Rum is known for its red rocks and wide open spaces. It has also been used in other sci-fi films, like The Martian and Dune. For Rogue One, Jedha had a rough, ancient feel. The large rock towers and caves gave the city a sense of a long past.
Key Scenes Filmed Here
- Saw Gerrera’s hideout
- Street scenes with stormtroopers
- Rebel attacks in narrow alleys
3. Canary Wharf, London – Imperial Base Interior
Image Source: Locationscout
Location: Underground station
Country: United Kingdom
Some Rogue One scenes were filmed at an unusual location: Canary Wharf Station, a London subway stop. The inside of the Imperial base, with shiny walls and flashing lights, was filmed there.
The station was used late at night, after it closed to the public. The filmmakers added lights, panels, and stormtroopers to turn it into a sci-fi hallway.
Fun Fact
- The scenes were shot in just one night.
- Commuters had no idea their local stop would be part of Star Wars.
4. Iceland – Planet Eadu and More
Image Source: Facebook
Location: Reykjanes Peninsula
Country: Iceland
Many of the dark and rainy scenes in Rogue One were filmed in Iceland, mostly near the Reykjanes Peninsula. This location was used for the planet Eadu, where Galen Erso works.
Iceland is known for its rugged, volcanic terrain. For Eadu, the crew needed a place that looked cold, harsh, and windy. Iceland had the perfect feel.
Scenes Filmed in Iceland
- The mountain lab where Galen dies
- Rebel air strike in the rain
- Scenes with muddy cliffs and rough land
Other Uses
Some wide landscape shots were also used for other planets. Iceland’s strong look helped set the tone for several scenes.
5. Black Park, England – Forest Planet Lah’mu
Image Source: StarWars.com
Location: Near Pinewood Studios
Country: United Kingdom
At the start of the movie, we see a farm on a peaceful green planet. This is Lah’mu, where Galen, Lyra, and young Jyn Erso live. These scenes were filmed in Black Park, a forest near Pinewood Studios in England.
Black Park has been used in many movies for its dense trees and calm atmosphere. For Rogue One, it gave Lah’mu a quiet, simple feeling before the Empire shows up.
6. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands – Planet Lah’mu (Reshoots)
Image Source: Destinology
Location: Canary Islands
Country: Spain
Some parts of Lah’mu were also reshot on the island of Fuerteventura, one of the Spanish Canary Islands. The dry, open areas of the island gave more variety to Lah’mu’s landscape.
Fuerteventura has been used in other movies too, thanks to its wide plains and volcanic look.
7. RAF Bovingdon, England – Yavin 4 Rebel Base
Image Source: StarWars.com
Location: Former airbase
Country: United Kingdom
The Rebel base on Yavin 4 is seen again in Rogue One, just like in A New Hope. The base’s inside scenes were filmed at RAF Bovingdon, a former airfield turned studio.
Outside shots were mixed with old footage and new computer graphics. The filmmakers used the real airstrip and added jungle-like trees using set dressing and CGI.
8. Cardington Airship Sheds – Yavin 4 Interiors
Image Source: theStudioTour.com
Location: Bedfordshire
Country: United Kingdom
The large hangar where the rebels meet and store their X-Wings was filmed at the Cardington Sheds in England. These massive airship hangars are often used in movies for big indoor sets.
The high ceilings and huge open space made it easy to build the rebel base’s inside layout. They even built full-size X-Wing fighters inside the building.
9. Mýrdalssandur, Iceland – Planet Lah’mu (Opening Scene)
Image Source: Facebook
Location: South Iceland
Country: Iceland
The rocky black beach seen in the opening of Rogue One was filmed at Mýrdalssandur, a stretch of black sand in Iceland.
This beach gave Lah’mu its unique look, different from green forests or deserts. The dark sand helped set a serious tone right from the start of the movie.
10. Whippendell Woods – More Forest Scenes
Image Source: Facebook
Location: Hertfordshire
Country: United Kingdom
Whippendell Woods, another forest near London, was used for some forest scenes. It may have been used for extra shots on Lah’mu or other green planets.
These woods have also been used in other Star Wars films, including The Phantom Menace.
Rogue One Filming Locations by Country
Rogue One was filmed in several countries around the world. Here’s a list of the main countries used and what scenes were filmed there:
| Country | Locations Used | Scenes/Planets Shown |
|---|---|---|
| Maldives | Laamu Atoll | Scarif (final battle scenes) |
| Jordan | Wadi Rum Desert | Jedha (holy city scenes) |
| United Kingdom | Black Park, Whippendell Woods, Pinewood | Lah’mu, Yavin 4, indoor bases |
| Canary Wharf, RAF Bovingdon, Cardington | Imperial base interiors, rebel hangars | |
| Iceland | Reykjanes, Mýrdalssandur | Eadu, Lah’mu opening shots, landscapes |
| Spain | Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) | Lah’mu reshoots, background terrain |
Were Any Scenes Filmed in a Studio?
Yes. While many scenes were shot outdoors, some were filmed in studios like:
- Pinewood Studios (UK): Used for indoor shots, spaceship interiors, and green screen work.
- Cardington Sheds: Rebel base hangar and ships.
- Backlot sets: Close-up shots and special effects scenes.
The mix of real places and studio work helped balance cost, safety, and control.
How Did They Hide Modern Elements?
In places like Canary Wharf or the Maldives, filmmakers had to hide modern things like lights, signs, or boats.
They used these tricks:
- Filming at night
- Covering real signs with props
- Using CGI to remove or change backgrounds
- Picking remote spots with fewer people
Other Interesting Facts About Rogue One Filming
The crew used smart tricks and faced real challenges while filming. Here are some cool behind-the-scenes facts:
- Darth Vader’s castle was made with computer effects. No real location was used.
- Spaceship scenes were filmed in studios, then combined with CGI.
- Real places were blended with digital tools to build new planets.
- In Jordan and the Maldives, some background actors were local people.
- They were dressed in Star Wars-style costumes to fit the scene.
- Bad weather in Iceland caused delays but helped add drama to the Eadu scenes.
- Natural fog, rain, and wind gave scenes a real, heavy feeling.
- Canary Wharf Station was used at night to avoid showing real signs and people.
- Crews covered or removed modern items to keep scenes looking like another world.
Conclusion
Filming Rogue One in real places helped the movie feel honest and raw. The world didn’t just look good, it felt lived in. That’s why so many scenes still stick with fans today.
These locations weren’t just backdrops. They shaped how the story moved and how it made people feel.
From busy cities to quiet cliffs, the real world helped build a galaxy far, far away. It’s a reminder that great storytelling doesn’t always need heavy effects, just the right place and purpose.
Curious where other Star Wars movies were filmed? Keep reading our guides to see the real-world places behind the galaxy you love.
