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Interstellar movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Interstellar filmed?

2014

City Locations

Alberta (Canada), Los Angeles, CA (USA), Iceland

Location Types

House, Nature, Hotel

Location Styles

Mountain Huts, Camper, Construction, Rustic, Resort

About Interstellar

Interstellar is a compelling science fiction film released in 2014 and directed by the renowned filmmaker Christopher Nolan. The film features an impressive cast, including Matthew McConaughey as Cooper, a former NASA pilot turned farmer; Michael Caine as Professor Brand, a renowned physicist; and Anne Hathaway as Amelia Brand, a dedicated scientist. Other notable actors include Mackenzie Foy, Timothee Chalamet, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Wes Bentley, and David Gyasi.

The film is set in the distant future, where Earth is ravaged by famine and natural disasters. Humanity's survival hangs by a thread, with all resources redirected towards farming. Amidst this desperate scenario, a mysterious set of coordinates leads Cooper and his daughter Murph to a secret NASA base.

Professor Brand recruits Cooper to pilot a mission to find a new habitable planet in another galaxy, hoping to carry the seeds of human life there. Alongside Amelia, Doyle, and Romilly, Cooper ventures into space, leaving his family behind to save humanity.

Interstellar was widely acclaimed, grossing over $681 million worldwide, making it the tenth highest-grossing film of 2014. Its depiction of theoretical astrophysics earned praise from critics and astronomers alike for its scientific accuracy. The film received five nominations at the 87th Academy Awards and won Best Visual Effects, among other accolades.

Interstellar Locations

Interstellar, the 2014 epic sci-fi film, leveraged a variety of picturesque locations to create its cinematic universe. Despite the narrative being set in Colorado, USA, most Earthbound scenes were shot in Alberta, Canada. In an intriguing display of creativity, Nolan had his team plant 500 acres of corn, aligning with Matthew McConaughey's farmer character. This vast cornfield was later dramatically decimated in a dust storm scene, crafted using practical effects.

The town of Longview in Alberta served as a primary filming location. A local ranch house was transformed into Cooper's home, while Longview School became the setting for a parent-teacher conference. A memorable football game interrupted by a dust storm was filmed in Okotoks' Seaman Stadium, just north of Longview.

The production also ventured into the awe-inspiring landscapes of Iceland. Svínafellsjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull to the east of Skaftafell, and Orrustuhóll in the Eldhraun lava field were transformed into the icy Mann's planet and the water planet, respectively.

But the journey didn't end there. The cast and crew then made their way to Los Angeles, California, to capture the NASA facility sequence at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown LA. Over three weeks, the team meticulously constructed the set within the hotel, only to film the scene in a mere three days.

A trip to these filming locations would undoubtedly offer a unique experience, allowing fans to immerse themselves in Interstellar. From Alberta's sprawling cornfields and quaint towns to Iceland's majestic glaciers and lava fields, and finally, the urban appeal of downtown LA, these diverse locales promise an unforgettable journey.

Murphy tells about ghosts in her room scene in Interstellar

AB-540, Longview, AB T0L 1H0, Canada

Cooper is introduced as a former NASA pilot who now lives as a farmer with his family. The world has undergone significant changes, increasing the need for farmers to sustain the growing population. In this future society, there exists a divisive belief that NASA's Apollo missions were merely a facade aimed at undermining the economic stability of the Soviets. This notion profoundly frustrates Cooper.

Cooper's 10-year-old daughter, Murphy (Mackenzie Foy), believes her room is haunted by a ghost trying to communicate with her. This sets the stage for the mysterious and intriguing narrative that unfolds.

The ranch house where Cooper lives with his children and his father-in-law (John Lithgow) was specifically built for the film near Longview, which is situated about 35 miles south of Calgary. In a particularly creative move, Nolan had his team plant 500 acres of corn to reflect Cooper's occupation as a farmer. This cornfield became the backdrop for the dramatic dust storm scene, created using practical effects.

While the exact building used in the film may not be there for fans to visit, the surrounding area still holds the same atmosphere depicted in the movie. One must journey to Longview in Alberta, Canada, to arrive at this destination. The city is merely a short hour's drive from Longview via Hwy 22, with no public transportation available.

Cooper, kids, and Donald at the baseball game scene in Interstellar

Seaman Stadium, Okotoks, AB T1S 1A5, Canada

Cooper treats his kids and father-in-law, Donald, to a delightful baseball game. Little did they know that this seemingly ordinary family outing would be dramatically interrupted by a sudden and powerful sandstorm, a stark reminder of the Earth's worsening state.

An essential piece of backstory is subtly revealed during this amateur baseball game. Donald, reminiscing about his youth, recalls watching professional baseball games. This revelation suggests that Donald's childhood unfolded before the environmental catastrophe when resources were still ample enough to support industries like baseball.

This scene was filmed at the Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Canada. The stadium is known for being one of the most fan and player-friendly facilities on either side of the border. Its first-class status extends to every aspect of its operation, making it a premier destination for sports enthusiasts.

To visit this iconic filming location, one would need to travel to Okotoks, which is situated in Alberta, Canada. Calgary, the largest city nearby, makes it advisable to rent a car and embark on a journey through filming locations. The stadium is still operational, allowing fans of the film or baseball to easily visit and perhaps catch a game while reliving this memorable Interstellar moment.

The water planet scene in Interstellar

Orrustuhóll, 311, Iceland

A pivotal scene unfolds on a water planet. This planet, covered by a shallow yet tumultuous ocean, is barren. A team, including Amelia, descends to this planet to recover valuable data. However, they are met with enormous tidal waves that wreak havoc, resulting in Doyle's (Wes Bentley) death and a delayed departure. When the survivors finally return to their spacecraft, the Endurance, they discover that 23 years have passed due to the effects of time dilation.

The filming for this water planet was done in Orrustuhóll, Iceland. Director Christopher Nolan had previously filmed parts of Batman Begins (2005) in the same country. Orrustuhóll was chosen for its unique combination of lava fields and surrounding water, creating the perfect backdrop for the hazardous scenes experienced by the characters played by Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway.

You should travel to Orrustuhóll in Iceland to visit this iconic filming location. While the exact journey would depend on your starting point, typically, it would involve flying into Keflavík International Airport, which serves the capital city of Reykjavik, and then driving to Orrustuhóll. Please note that the conditions in this area can be challenging, so it's advisable to plan your trip carefully and consult local advice.

The adult Murphy works with Brand scene in Interstellar

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, 404 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA

The adult Murphy (Jessica Chastain) emerges as a NASA scientist working with Brand (Michael Caine) on an equation that could enable the launch of space stations through gravity. In a heartrending scene, Brand, on his deathbed, confesses to Murphy that he had already solved the gravity problem but deemed the project impossible without additional data from a black hole singularity.

This pivotal moment takes place in the impressive NASA facility, whose spacious interior and circular balconies were filmed in the lobby of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel at 404 South Figueroa Street, downtown Los Angeles. This iconic location, designed by architect John C. Portman Jr. in 1974, took three weeks to transform into the towering six-level set for the film. The shooting of these scenes was completed in just three days.

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel is still operational and open for visitors. Fans of the movie can not only explore the lobby where these critical scenes were shot but also enjoy the top floor's revolving restaurant and bar. To reach this location, you would need to travel to downtown Los Angeles. The hotel is easily accessible via public transportation or car, depending on your starting point.

The ice planet scene in Interstellar

Svínafellsjökull Glacier, 785, Iceland

Running low on fuel, the crew decides to visit Mann's planet. Mann (Matt Damon) had falsified data about his planet's viability in hopes of being rescued. His desperation leads him to break Cooper's spacesuit visor and leave him to die before fleeing to the Endurance on a shuttle. However, his betrayal doesn't end there; he also sets a bomb that tragically takes the life of Romilly. Amelia rescues Cooper on another shuttle, and they make it back to the Endurance just in time to witness Mann docking improperly.

The scene on Mann's icy planet was filmed at Svínafellsjökull Glacier, located east of Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. This stunning location has served as the backdrop for other notable film and television projects, including parts of Batman Begins and Game of Thrones. The glacier is part of the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, a popular destination for hikers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts.

To get to this location from Reykjavik, you would head east along Route 1 (Ring Road) for approximately 4 hours. Then, turn left onto Route 998 and continue until you reach the parking lot. From there, getting to the glacier itself requires a short hike. It's important to note that while the directions are straightforward, the Icelandic weather can be unpredictable, so it's advisable to plan your trip carefully and check local forecasts before setting out.

Amelia at Edmunds' planet scene in Interstellar

Eldhraun Lava Field, 881, Iceland

Elderly Murphy (Ellen Burstyn) convinces Cooper to search for Amelia and CASE. These two have embarked on a one-way trip to Edmunds' planet, initiating Plan B. The audience is hopeful and hopeful as this brave pair ventures into the unknown.

The filming location for this final scene, where Amelia lands on Edmunds' planet, was the Eldhraun Lava Field in Iceland. This location has the most enormous lava flow globally and is a significant historical and geological site. It showcases the raw beauty of Icelandic flora and fauna, with sharp black lava rocks protruding from the soft green moss, creating intriguing shapes that conceal more than they divulge.

To visit this cinematic spot, you would need to travel to the south coast of Iceland. It's important to tread carefully when exploring this area due to the fragile moss and jagged lava rocks. Remember to respect the natural environment and adhere to local guidelines to preserve its beauty for future generations. The Eldhraun Lava Field can be accessed easily from the Ring Road, with parking lots available for visitors. Furthermore, due to the proximity to Svínafellsjökull Glacier, it is advisable to consider renting a car as no public transportation is available.

Conclusion

Christopher Nolan's Interstellar is a visually stunning journey through space and time. The film tells the story of astronauts venturing to the galaxy's far reaches in search of a new home for humanity, whose own home has been devastated.

The geographical diversity of the filming locations, from Alberta's vast cornfields and charming towns to Iceland's awe-inspiring glaciers and lava fields and the urban allure of downtown LA, offers an immersive and unforgettable visual experience.

Interstellar, at its essence, utilizes its cutting-edge science fiction landscapes to express deep-rooted human values and aspirations. It delves into themes of belonging, kinship, and the preservation of humankind while also exploring the profound heartache accompanying separation caused by death, illness, or insurmountable distances. Interstellar's contribution to the movie industry pushes the boundaries of visual effects and sound design and sparks thought-provoking discussions about humanity's place in the universe.