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The Mandalorian movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was The Mandalorian filmed?

2019

City Locations

El Segundo, CA

Location Types

Film Studio

Location Styles

Beachfront, Mountain Huts, Camper, Desert, Exotic/Tropical, Rustic

About The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian, a classic space western, showcases a reserved hero akin to the iconic characters portrayed by Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. This live-action TV show, created by Jon Favreau, debuted on Disney+ in 2019. The series is adeptly paced and notably innovative, exhibiting enough stylistic flair and visual appeal to keep viewers riveted. It stars Pedro Pascal as the titular Mandalorian, a lone bounty hunter operating in the galaxy's outer reaches after the Empire's fall and before the emergence of the First Order. The show also features prominent roles for Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Burr, and Gina Carano.

The plot follows the Mandalorian as he embarks on various missions to hunt down criminals and protect Grogu (a Force-sensitive child under his protection). Throughout his adventures, he encounters allies such as Cara Dune and Greef Karga while also battling against powerful enemies such as Moff Gideon. Along with these struggles come moments of heartwarming human interaction between characters.

Since its release, The Mandalorian has been met with critical acclaim. It was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards. It took home fourteen Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Special Visual Effects, Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score), and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour). The series has also won over audiences with its thrilling action sequences, emotional characterization, and impressive visuals.

The Mandalorian Locations

The production of The Mandalorian was made possible by the stunning landscapes from locations across the world. From California to Turkey, the crew of The Mandalorian captured breathtaking backdrops for our beloved characters.

Most scenes in The Mandalorian were shot in Los Angeles, California, studios. However, some outdoor scenes were shot on location, such as Death Valley and Lake Powell, offering a unique backdrop for the series. Death Valley is situated between two mountain ranges that create an eerie yet beautiful landscape, perfect for Arvala-7’s desert planet. Furthermore, the show offers stunning glimpses of Hawaii's landscapes, like the Tetsuo Harano Tunnels, which are depicted as the path to Morak—a lush, forested planet. This location is nestled amidst an awe-inspiring mountain range and vibrant, verdant rainforests.

A trip to these iconic shooting locations would be highly worthwhile for any fan of The Mandalorian. Sites will provide an opportunity to explore the beauty of nature and are home to many unique features that appear throughout the series. For instance, Manly Beacon in Death Valley is easily recognizable as one of the first views we see when Mando (Pedro Pascal) arrives at Arvala-7. At the same time, Lake Powell was an inspiration for the crew to create a helmet ceremony background. With its array of landscapes and cultures, exploring The Mandalorian's filming locations is guaranteed to be both exciting and rewarding.

Mando lands the Razor Crest and meets Kuiil scene in The Mandalorian

Manly Beacon, Furnace Creek, CA 92328, USA

In the first chapter, the Mandalorian journeys to the desert planet of Arvala-7, where he encounters a local named Kuiil (voiced by Nick Nolte). Kuiil seeks to eliminate the criminals and mercenaries who have conquered the region. He instructs the Mandalorian on how to ride a Blurrg, a necessity given the absence of land-speed vehicles for traversing the terrain, and directs him toward his bounty's location.

The desert landscapes of Arvala-7 bear a striking resemblance to Death Valley, a national park in California, USA. The scenes depicting Mando landing the Razor Crest amidst otherworldly rock formations echo the visuals of Manly Beacon within the National Park. The production team utilized Death Valley National Park to film the desert sequences; its parched landscapes ideally suited the narrative of the various seasons in this Star Wars universe series. This iconic tourist destination makes multiple appearances throughout the first season of The Mandalorian, notably in the fifth episode.

Depending on traffic conditions, you can rent a car or take public transportation from Los Angeles or Las Vegas, which will take approximately 2-4 hours. Once you arrive, you can use your own vehicle or join one of the numerous organized tours to explore this beautiful desert location.

Mos Pelgo scenes in The Mandalorian

El Segundo, California 90245, USA

In the tenth episode, we journey alongside the Mandalorian across the arid planet of Tatooine. In the story, the Mandalorian's mission is to take the Frog Lady (voiced by Misty Rosas) to Trask, which is an estuary moon. Her husband awaits there to fertilize her eggs, and he possesses information about other Mandalorians.

The production team decided to film the outdoor scenes of Mos Pelgo at a studio in El Segundo, California. These scenes also feature the open-air cantina setting and the intense battle with the Tusken Raiders. If you're ever in this part of California, it's highly recommended that you explore the Automobile Driving Museum, the Old Town Music Hall, and ESMoA. Additionally, be sure to visit the historic distillery, well-known for its 1920s-styled tasting room.

Reaching this destination is fairly straightforward. You can opt for public transit, like the Metro C line tram from Harbor Fwy Station, which takes approximately 16 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive—it's just 15 minutes from LAX.

Frog Lady escapes to the lake to bathe with her eggs scene in The Mandalorian

Travertines of Pamukkale, Merkez, 20190 Pamukkale/Denizli, Türkiye

In the tenth episode, our cherished bounty hunter takes shelter at Maldo Kreis. In the meantime, Frog Lady slips away to a smallish lake to bathe with her eggs. Recognizing the danger, the Mandalorian intervenes and secures the eggs. Concurrently, The Child (voiced by David Acord) ventures into the ice cave, stumbles upon a different species of egg and consumes it. Soon after, neighboring eggs start hatching, swiftly populating the cave with white spiders of varying dimensions.

This planet's landscape draws inspiration from the Pamukkale site in Turkey. Rather than filming on location at the Travertines of Pamukkale, the production teams meticulously recreated the setting within their studio in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, fans can readily visit the actual site to immerse themselves in the ambiance of the series fully. This unique natural site is home to a remarkable phenomenon: hot springs and terraces made of carbonate minerals created by thermal spring water flowing down a valley. Moreover, this area is known for its historical ruins, such as Hierapolis, an ancient Roman city that lies within Pamukkale’s travertine terraces.

If you wish to visit the Travertines of Pamukkale, you can fly directly to Denizli Airport, which is located about 44 miles away from Pamukkale's town center. You can then travel by bus or taxi to your destination.

The Mandalorian travels to Morak scene in The Mandalorian

The Tetsuo Harano Tunnels, Hawaii, USA

In the gripping fifteenth chapter, the Mandalorian sets off to Morak, a lush tropical planet teeming with verdant forests. The Slave I descends through Morak's atmosphere, soaring above the dense forestry. Upon landing, the crew spots an Imperial HCVw A9.2 juggernaut transport trudging along a dusty road. Audiences could effortlessly identify this as the Tetsuo Harano Tunnels in Hawaii, nestled amidst towering mountains and luxuriant woods. This scene has gained iconic status in the series and is one of the most memorable and identifiable locations, owing to its scenic splendor.

Situated on the island of O'ahu in the Hawaiian archipelago, the Tetsuo Harano Tunnels form a lengthy highway connection between Kaneohe and Ko'olau Range. This location is enveloped by magnificent mountain ranges and dense, verdant forests. These breathtaking surroundings contributed to some truly exceptional cinematography during the filming of The Mandalorian.

It is highly recommended to take the H-3 Highway from Honolulu toward Kaneohe to get to this fantastic location. This will take you along a scenic route through the rainforest towards Kaneohe, where you can experience some jaw-dropping views of this iconic landscape featured in the series firsthand.

The helmet ceremony scene in The Mandalorian

Lake Powell, Colorado River, USA

The Armorer (Emily Swallow) creates a helmet for a young member who is being welcomed into the creed. A solemn ceremony occurs where the initiate pledges never to unveil his face. "I vow on my name and the lineage of my ancestors that I shall follow the path of the Mand'alor..." Fans all recall the captivating scene of the helmet ceremony. The grandeur of the towering mountains and serene lake in the backdrop is unforgettable.

It's hard to miss the striking similarity between the renowned ceremony lake and Lake Powell on the Colorado River in the USA. While the scenes were filmed at the MBS Studio, it's clear that Lake Powell was a significant source of inspiration.

Though the studio isn't accessible for tourism, Lake Powell, the inspiration behind the scenes, remains open for visitors. A famed spot for summer activities, this lake attracts nearly two million tourists annually. This man-made lake, nestled between Utah and Arizona on the Colorado River, came into existence due to the flooding of Glen Canyon by the Glen Canyon Dam. This event also led to the formation of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

To get to Lake Powell, you can fly into either Las Vegas or Phoenix, then drive from there. The lake can be found about 200 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Conclusion

The Mandalorian is a unique and highly engaging show that draws heavily from the Star Wars franchise but also manages to be its own entity. The actors' performances are impressive, and the script is both exciting and original. The idea behind the show has clearly been well thought out, as it delves into characters and storylines not seen in previous Star Wars films.

The special effects employed in The Mandalorian are stunning and bring a cinematic quality to the show. This level of detail and the excellent acting make for an incredibly immersive viewing experience. 3D animation technology allows for incredible visuals that add a layer of realism to each scene.

Star Wars is a phenomenon that spans a centrally regulated industry, reaching from movie theaters to video games and even extending to a new theme park expansion being unveiled at Disneyland. The Mandalorian continues the core objective of the Star Wars franchise that has persisted over four decades: maintaining the inherent simplicity and two-dimensional nature pivotal to George Lucas's original vision.

Watch The Mandalorian if you're looking for something new and exciting in sci-fi TV shows. Its combination of excellent writing, stunning visuals, and engaging characters make it one of the best shows on television today.