UPDATE! Star Wars: Rogue One Currently Filming in Iceland – Mads Mikkelsen Spotted in Reykjavík!
Reports from the Icelandic media indicate that Star Wars: Rogue One is being filmed on location in Iceland, and that actor Mads Mikkelsen is there. Read on for details…
It looks as though Iceland is becoming a preferred shooting location for our favorite galaxy far, far away. Scenes from The Force Awakens were filmed there last year, and now word comes to us that Star Wars: Rogue One is shooting on Iceland’s southern coast as we speak.
Iceland Magazine reports:
“The local news site visir.is reports the crew has been on Mýrdalssandur beach for some time now, shooting by the mountains Hjörleifshöfði and Hafursey, east of the village of Vík. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service interviewed the landowner, who was only willing to confirm that a film crew was working in the area, but claimed he didn‘t know what film they were shooting. He was, however, willing to confirm that great secrecy surrounded the shooting, and that all roads and paths into the area, where the crew was working, had been closed.”
“According to the sources of RÚV the movie in question is Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Among the stars in the film is Mads Mikkelsen. Mikkelsen told the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet scenes in the movie would be shot in Iceland.”
The Iceland Magazine article goes on to confirm that Mikkelsen is definitely in Iceland, having been spotted dining in Reykjavík.
“The local news site visir.is now reports that Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen is in Iceland to shoot scenes for the film. Mikkelsen reportedly ate at the restaurant Snaps in Reykjavík over the weekend.”
This, of course, confirms our report from last month, in which Mikkelsen mentioned where location shooting for Rogue One would take place:
“I can also say that the movie will be shot in Iceland and England. And the filming will last for three months.”
Mýrdalssandur is located adjacent to Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland’s southern-most village. It is a black-sand beach bordered by some impressive-looking cliffs and mountains. It’s easy to see why this spot would be chosen as an otherworldly film location.
We’ve already seen Rogue One production photos of what appears to be a tropical beach set. What about Mýrdalssandur. Another beach scene on a different world? Or are they focusing more on the surrounding mountains to create different scenery for that same planet?
As always, we will keep you updated as we learn more!
UPDATE!
Mike Lennon, one of our readers, was on holiday in Iceland and happened to be near the location where some filming for Rogue One took place. Here’s what Mike shared with us:
I’m on holiday in Iceland and by chance I read your article this morning about the filming on the south coast. Just so happened I was taking a hire car out towards Vik today from Reykjavik, so I couldn’t resist a little snoop.
The pictures are taken from the south on Route 1. I found the entrance to the site, you can see the sign that was there in the picture above. And also a picture of the mountain Hafursey, which is where the road led to. It doesn’t show in the photo, but there was some kind of base camp near the foot of the mountain in the center, and there was definitely activity at the right hand end of the mountain, my guess was they were filming in that spot. A helicopter flew over my car from the south towards the mountain, and had a camera mounted on the nose.
The picture doesn’t do the place justice, it really is stunning, and there is a huge glacier behind Hafursey.
So according to Mike there was definite activity at the foot of the mountain, rather than on it. This means that probably some filming took place on the specific black sand. This will give quite a unique look to the planet where this sequence takes place.
Sullust!
Possibly.
I believe you’re right! Especially because of the research taken there for reference for the people at Dice when creating Sullust! 😉
Well at least its not Skellig again! haha
Rogue One will feature… EARTH!!!! Book it!
Awesome choice.
Dig!
Iceland must name their towns and geographic features by mashing the keyboard and going with whatever comes up.
lol.
Alderaan perhaps?
Switzerland was Alderaan in III. I think they would have gone back there if they intended it to be.
We haven’t seen it in the saga before but Iceland is almost becoming as popular as Prague or Vancouver far as filming locations go, So I hope it’s not played out by the time this hit theaters.
I’m getting the feeling this movie is going to have a lot of secrecy to it also. Not as much as TFA but a lot nonetheless.
Always thought it odd that Greenland is covered with ice and Iceland is covered in green.
The reason for either is, when Greenland was first discovered, folks trying to sell plots were trying to make it sound attractive to buyers. Knowing that it was covered in ice and snow, they called it Greenland to attract more buyers.
Just the opposite with Iceland. Early settlers didn’t want the beautiful land to become cluttered with excess population and decided on the name Iceland.
***The more you know*** 🙂
wow, cool.
Had no idea. Thanks.
Marketing.
Climate. Iceland was icey – thus fit for exiling people to. Then, by the time they started exploring further, things were significantly warmer [global warming by foot!] so it was green. Iceland was also green at the time Greenland was named, but banishing someone to the “land of ice” sounds so much more intimidating.
How soft your fields so green can whisper tales of gore – of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords.
What is up with SW and Iceland all the sudden? Iceland has got to be in the top 10 of cool countries, but there ARE other countries on the planet to choose from. Is there some sort of key plot point where R1 somehow ties in with TFA’s ice [weapon-]planet?
I’m sure we’ll find out. Of course there are other locations, and we have plenty of movie time to explore them!
What’s up with all the REAL locations all of a sudden. I get it, Disney, you want to give a big F U to the overuse of digital locations in the PT… but the locations in TFA and Rogue One are beginning to look more like Lord of the Rings…
But thats the point, Disney want to make it into their Lord of the Rings. They’re trying to make Star Wars more fantasy-like, and they don’t realize you can do that without making it look all medieval. Look at Captain Phasma for example, the castle, the excalibur lightsaber and so on. Thank Game Of Thrones. Notice how two GOT actors are in the movie too?
Star Wars has always been fantasy first, scifi second.
Except for the whole genetically cloned army vs. robot army and midichlorians thing which didn’t really vibe with a lot of people, for the reasons you guys have stated.
to each their own. i see your point but its not going to ruin it for me. i like the direction they are going. maybe itll change when we see the movies, but so far is just feels right.
Oh, shut, up.
soooo…now you guys are complaining about real locations… really? sigh…. Iceland looks AWESOME, and the locations match the look of Yavin 4.
Amen! This locations look great. the island is Ireland, Iceland. Great stuff! People will complain about anything. If the saga is headed to a more LOR feel then good! That was a great series.
Why not Alderaan??? Yes it was filmed in Switzerland for EPIII. However, that’s the location of what it looks like a main capital city. That location might be for another city in Alderaan or maybe a military base. But Alderaan is peaceful, there were no weapons there, Leia claimed before its destruction. Now, think of this, R2D2 original destination was Alderaan where Bail was supposed to use the information provided by R2D and then figure out something to strike the Empire, where?? In a military base. In addition, Leia has military training, she basically saves Luke’s and Han’s asses when they go to rescue her. So it’s not impossible that they are filming for Alderaan in Iceland.
Or…what about the other rebel base on Dantooine???
Dantooine is too remote to make an effective location – but don’t worry; we will film your rebel friends soon enough.
yeah definitely. Alderaan is a great idea. even the little glimpse of it in sith made it being annihilated sadder.
alderaan? seriously? Also… the picture that shows the cast to me seems from the yavin base, so I dont see that
well its pretty much a given that this is what happens in Rogue One, its just a matter of how and where : “Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire.During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR”
Yep. I find it funny that I hear so much speculation that detours from this description, but it’s right there in the opening crawl from ANH! You need look no further for a perfect short synopsis of Rogue One. LOL
people complaining about the use of iceland…. remember that hoth was shot there… also iceland has been used for soo many sci-fi movies, so whats the problem…. Again this confirms to me that there’s a huge branch of star wars fans that want to complain with everything….
Hoth was shot in norway
if they need the black sand, it could be sullust. If they need the whole thing, well, some strange planet that is not the beach planet
cool planet
This movie is about the grand battle with Empire. The location looks perfect.
pffff Iceland…..why not use some of England’s finest blue screens ?
Apparently George Lucas has a Disqus account now.
Am I the only one who can’t wait to own a Mads Mikkelsen LEGO Minifigure?? 😀
Nope, you’re not! But that would be the case with any Rogue One figure for me!
Sorry to say it, but somehow I’m almost MORE excited ’bout Rogue One! Maybe ’cause there’s so much still to speculate ’bout? XD Yeah, any mini figure would do! 😉
It’s absolutely Sullust. It’s the same location they scouted for Battlefront. http://starwars.ea.com/starwars/battlefront/news/creating-the-planet-sullust-for-star-wars-battlefront
Dantooine, they’re on Dantooine.
Is Sullust this trilogy’s Tatooine? ‘Cause it seems it’s appearing 3 times: TFA, R1 and Battlefront. Like how Tatooine appeared in all 3 prequels and most of the OT. Though I have to say, Iceland is a lot COOLER than Tunisia, if you know what I mean.
I was stationed there for 3 years when I was in the Navy. The people were rude and ungrateful, but gladly took our money and a ton of civilian jobs on the base. To hell with them.