When it comes to movie-making, location scouts are charged with the often difficult task of searching to globe to find filming locations that not only look the part, but that also help productions stay on track when it comes to budgets and schedules.
As it turns out, the UK and Ireland have been top picks among location scouts, with movies such as Skyfall, Guardians of the Galaxy, Snow White and the Huntsman and more of the biggest movies of the past decade being filmed here. However, according to a poll carried out by Odeon Cinemas, moviegoers weren’t able to identify 78 per cent of scenes that were filmed in the UK and Ireland. What’s more, many of these locations were used to double up as other cities, tricking those moviegoers who aren’t so eagle-eyed! Here, we take a look at a few of the top filming spots found throughout the UK…
Guardians of the Galaxy
This box office smash from Marvel Studios may have appeared to have taken place amongst the stars, but in fact shooting took place much closer to home. Of the filmgoers asked, the vast majority – 95 per cent in fact – didn’t spot that there were many scenes filmed on London’s Millennium Bridge.
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman was a global phenomenon, taking in over $800 million at the box office worldwide. At one point in the film, the titular superhero arrives on earth to make her home in New York, however the castle used is actually Arundel Castle, located in West Sussex.
Florence Foster Jenkins – Cunard Building, Liverpool
The story of eccentric socialite and would-be opera singer Florence Foster Jenkins appears to take place in New York, centering around a prolific concert at Carnegie Hall, but a large portion of filming took place in Liverpool. Stars Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant were regularly seen shooting scenes on Water Street, Royal Liver Building, and Lower Castle Street. Skyscrapers and other Big Apple sights were added in using CGI in the post-production process.
Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan has arguably one of the most famous opening scenes of all time, during which soldiers are seen on what we are meant to believe is Omaha Beach in Normandy. However, the filming – which took place over a period of two months – actually happened in County Wexford, Ireland. Ballinesker Beach, Curracloe Strand, and Ballinesker were all used to create the now infamous D-Day sequence.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
The Avengers franchise is filled with numerous recognisable names, but assuming one of the least suspecting starring roles is the county of Norfolk! Specifically, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts located on the University of East Anglia campus welcomed film crews as they shot the highly anticipated sequel.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Liverpool appears to be developing something of a habit for doubling as New York! Many scenes that were meant to be set in New York were in fact shot around Stanley Dock. The combination of redstone buildings, cobbled streets and movie magic makes it easy to double up Liverpool for the Big Apple.
