Where Was Don’t Look Up Filmed?

Don’t Look Up has captivated audiences with its satirical take on the impending doom of a comet heading towards Earth. It features an all-star cast with a plot that grabs your attention and piques your curiosity. So where was Don’t Look Up filmed? The locations span from Massachusetts to New Mexico. For the purpose of this article, I’ll be focusing on one location, in particular. So let’s dive in. 

Where Was Don’t Look Up Filmed?

Don’t Look Up was filmed entirely in Massachusetts. In the story, the astronomers work at Michigan State University, but no scenes were shot in Michigan. Here are the key filming locations:

Boston: The city stood in for New York. The Museum of Fine Arts, South Station and Copley Plaza all appear in the film.

Worcester: Scenes were shot at the DCU Center.

Brockton: D’Angelo’s Grilled Sandwiches became Burger Crown, the fast-food spot in the film.

Norton: Wheaton College appears in the film.

Other towns: The crew also filmed in Framingham, Westborough, Canton, Chicopee, Fall River, Salisbury and Weymouth.

What was Don’t Look Up All About?

Don’t Look Up is a dark comedy film that tells the story of two astronomers, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, who discover a comet on a collision course with Earth. As they try to sound the alarm and convince the world of the impending catastrophe, they encounter a slew of challenges, including skeptical politicians, media frenzy, and apathetic public response. 

The film satirically reflects on society’s response to existential threats and explores themes of media sensationalism, political incompetence, and human denial in the face of impending disaster. With its star-studded cast and thought-provoking storyline, Don’t Look Up has been widely praised for its comedic yet sobering take on a global crisis.

Who Was In The Cast?

The cast of Don’t Look Up includes several A-list Hollywood actors who brought their talent and charisma to the big screen:

• Leonardo DiCaprio – DiCaprio plays Dr. Randall Mindy, a Michigan State astronomy professor who tries to warn the world about the comet.
• Jennifer Lawrence – Lawrence plays Kate Dibiasky, the PhD candidate who discovers the comet.
• Meryl Streep – Streep portrays President Janie Orlean, the President of the United States who faces the crisis with skepticism and political maneuvering.
• Jonah Hill – Hill plays Jason Orlean, the Chief of Staff and son of President Orlean, who tries to spin the comet impact for political gain.
• Mark Rylance – Rylance portrays Peter Isherwell, a wealthy tech mogul who becomes involved in the comet crisis.
• Tyler Perry – Perry plays Jack Bremmer, co-host of the morning show The Daily Rip.
• Ron Perlman – Perlman portrays Colonel Ben Drask, a military leader involved in the response to the comet.
• Timothée Chalamet – Chalamet plays Yule, a young shoplifter Kate befriends.
• Cate Blanchett – Blanchett plays Brie Evantee, Jack’s co-host on The Daily Rip.
• Ariana Grande – Grande plays Riley Bina, a pop star who adds her voice to the campaign to raise awareness about the comet.

With such a star-studded cast, Don’t Look Up boasts an ensemble of talented actors who bring their unique performances to this satirical comedy.

Who Directed Don’t Look Up? 

Don’t Look Up was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Adam McKay. Known for his expertise in blending comedy with social and political commentary, McKay has made a name for himself in the industry with hits like Anchorman, The Big Short, and Vice. In Don’t Look Up, McKay brings his signature style to the forefront, creating a satirical yet thought-provoking film that tackles pressing issues such as media sensationalism, political incompetence, and climate change denial. 

Did Don’t Look Up Receive Any Awards? 

Don’t Look Up earned four Academy Award nominations: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Film Editing.

AFI Awards – Winner, Movie of the year

Golden Globe Awards – Nominee for Best Motion Picture, Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Jennifer Lawrence, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Leonardo DiCaprio.

These are just a few of the nominations and wins the movie received. 

Technical Information

This is a longer movie than most. It’s two hours and 18 minutes long (138 minutes). The cameras used were the Aaton Penelope, Arricam LT, and the Arricam ST. The lenses used were the Kowa Cine Prominar, Fujinon Premier Cabrio, and Atlas Orion lenses.

Fun Facts About Don’t Look Up

Leonardo DiCaprio wasn’t a slam dunk for this movie. In fact, the director and writer spent a few months tweaking the character before DiCaprio agreed to join the cast.

Notice all the Oscar winners in this cast? Well, let’s see. There’s Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Rylance, and Jennifer Lawrence.

Matthew Perry made a cameo appearance but the scene didn’t make the final cut.

Poor Jennifer Lawrence has to suffer with a broken tooth throughout filming due to COVID-19 restrictions. She couldn’t get her tooth fixed until filming was finished.

A real astronomer that worked for NASA was an adviser for the movie. 

Can You Visit the Set?

You can’t visit the set, but you can visit many of the places where filming took place. In Boston, visit the Museum of Fine Arts, South Station, Copley Plaza and Howl at the Moon.

Head over to Brockton to D’Angelo’s Grilled Sandwiches. That location was turned into a fast-food restaurant called Burger Crown in the movie. Wheaton College in Norton also appears in the film.

Final Thoughts

I’m a little biased when it comes to Massachusetts. There’s so many places I love there. From the historical North End to Cape Cod, Provincetown, Martha’s Vineyard, Walden Pond, and Salem. There’s just so much to see in such a relatively small state. There are plenty of places I could recommend but I have too many favorites! You’ll have to discover your own!