If you are a fan of space travel, you’ve probably seen movies such as Alien, Gravity, Apollo 18, and more. Then there’s The Martian. The poor guy gets left behind and has to fend for himself. But you have to hand it to him. He’s pretty creative when it comes to surviving on his own. But where was the Martian filmed? The red clay backdrop could be a desert here in the United States but it’s not. Most of the filming was in a foreign country.
Where Was The Martian Filmed?
The Martian film locations were primarily in Budapest, Hungary and Wadi Rum, Jordan. The majority of the outdoor scenes were shot in spectacular desert landscapes of southern Jordan, while the studio work was done at Korda Studios outside Budapest.
Director, Ridley Scott and crew built a full-scale habitat module that served as an interior set for several sequences in the film. Parts of the movie were also filmed in California and England.
The Mars scenes in the movie are largely a combination of CGI (computer-generated imagery) effects as well as photographs taken from the surface of Mars by NASA rovers. This research was combined with live action sets to create a realistic Martian environment for the movie.
This film is a PERFECT example of how important color grading is when trying to achieve a certain look within the film. Stephen Nakamura who was the colorist, did an amazing job.
What was The Martian All About?
The Martian is a science fiction film based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Andy Weir. The story follows an astronaut, Mark Watney, who is stranded on Mars after being left behind during a dust storm.
He must utilize his ingenuity and knowledge of space exploration in order to survive, as he races against time to be rescued. The film follows the challenges he faces as he attempts to make contact with Earth, maintain his own health and sanity, and find a way back home.
Overall, the film is an inspiring story of hope, courage, determination and the unyielding human spirit in the face of insurmountable odds. It serves as a reminder that with determination and resourcefulness, it is possible to accomplish the impossible.
Who Was In The Cast of The Martian?
The Martian starred:
- Matt Damon as astronaut Mark Watney
- Jessica Chastain as the mission commander Melissa Lewis
- Jeff Daniels as the NASA director Teddy Sanders
- and Kate Mara as mission specialist Beth Johanssen.
Other cast members included Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan and Aksel Hennie in supporting roles.
Who Directed The Martian?
The Martian was directed by Ridley Scott, the acclaimed British filmmaker behind such iconic movies as Alien, Blade Runner and Gladiator. The film was written by Drew Goddard, based on Andy Weir’s debut novel of the same name.
Ridley Scott is known for his attention to detail and realistic approach to science fiction films. He has a long-running relationship with visual effects studio The Moving Picture Company (MPC), who provided the VFX for his previous movies like Prometheus and Exodus: Gods and Kings.
The Martian was no exception, using a combination of live action sets and digital effects to create the realistic Mars environments seen in the movie. MPC also created the CG character of Mark Watney, as well as other elements such as the Hermes spacecraft and rover.
Did The Martian Receive Any Awards?Â
The Martian received critical and commercial acclaim, garnering seven Academy Award nominations. It won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 2016 and was nominated for Best Picture, as well as several other awards. The movie also won two Golden Globe Awards – Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy, and Best Actor: Musical or Comedy (for Matt Damon).
Technical Information
This film runs 2 hours and 24 minutes (144 minutes). There’s also an extended cut that runs for 2 hours and 31 minutes. There were two cameras used in the making of this film. The first was the GoPro HER04, Red Epic Dragon with Zeiss Ultra Prime, Fujinon Premier Cabrio, Angenieux Optimo and Optimo DP lenses.Â
The second was the Red Scarlet Dragon with Zeiss Ultra Prime, Fujinon Premier Cabrio, Angenieux Optimo and Optimo DP lenses.
Fun Facts About The Martian
President Barack Obama was a huge fan of the film when he was president of the United States. He stated that The Martian was one of the best sci-fi films of all time.
Potatoes were actually grown on set for the movie.Â
The Martian was actually classified as a comedy for the Golden Globes and ended up winning two Golden Globe awards. The movie itself won for Best Musical or Comedy and Matt Damon won for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.Â
Matt Damon was willing to lose massive amounts of weight for the movie but Ridley Scott said no. A body double was used instead.
Matt Damon’s solo scenes were shot for five weeks straight. Damon didn’t meet most of the cast until they were ready to promote the film.
Can You Visit the Set of The Martian?
The Martian was filmed on-location in Jordan as well as at various sound stages and studios around the world. Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the sets of The Martian. The studio has kept all filming locations private, so there are no public tours or visits available to the actual sets used in the movie.
However, the Jordanian government has opened up some of the locations used in The Martian for tourists to visit. These include Wadi Rum, a desert area located near Petra, and Umm Qais, a 2nd-century Roman ruin located in northern Jordan.
What is Hungary Famous For?
Hungary is a landlocked Central European country that is known for its unique heritage and culture, stunning landscapes, and abundance of thermal spas. It borders Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia.
Hungary is most famous for its food. Dishes like goulash, paprikash and palacsinta are renowned worldwide. The country is also home to the largest lake in Central Europe, Lake Balaton, which has many beaches and resorts along its shoreline.
Hungary is renowned for its history and culture. This landlocked country was once part of the Roman Empire and later became a powerful kingdom in the middle ages. Today, Hungary is a member of the European Union and is well known for its architectural masterpieces, including the Parliament Building in Budapest and many Baroque buildings.
Hungary’s colorful culture has also inspired some amazing art. Its traditional folk music, woven carpets and embroidery are all popular souvenirs to bring back home. Hungary also has an array of festivals throughout the year, including its world-famous Budapest Spring Festival as well as the Sziget Festival.
Unique Places in HungaryÂ
Hungary is full of amazing places to visit, from stunning natural landscapes to ancient monuments and castles. Here are some of the top places to visit if you’re ever in Hungary:
The city of Budapest – the capital of Hungary is home to many historical sites, including the Parliament Building and numerous museums. It also has plenty of great restaurants, bars and nightlife.
- The Danube River: take a boat ride along the river for stunning views of the Hungarian countryside.
- Lake Balaton: Hungary’s largest lake has many beaches and resorts around its shoreline.
- Eger Castle: this beautiful red-roofed castle is located in the city of Eger and is one of Hungary’s oldest fortresses.
- Pecs: this ancient city is full of beautiful architecture, including an amazing cathedral and a 13th century mosque.
- Tokaj Wine Region: famous for its sweet wines, take a trip to this region and sample some of the best Hungarian wines.
- Hortobagy National Park: located in the Great Plain, this park is full of wildlife, including horses and waterfowl.
Overall, Hungary is a beautiful country filled with many unique places to visit. Whether you’re looking for stunning landscapes, historical monuments or delicious food, Hungary has something for everyone. So if you’re ever in the area, make sure to visit some of these incredible places!
Things to Do in HungaryÂ
Hungary is definitely a very unique place to visit. One of its star attractions is Lake Heviz, Europe’s largest thermal lake. In fact, Hungary is the land of thermal spas. There are over 1,300 thermal water springs. These springs are rich in minerals and other special properties. Some are specifically recommended for healing certain health issues. There are even spa towns! But I digress. Here are a few things to consider when visiting Hungary:
- Buda Castle, Budapest
- Tihany Holiday Resort, Lake Balaton
- The Caves of Lillafured in the Bukk Mountains
- The Hungarian Open Air Museum
These are just a few of the many attractions to check out in Hungary.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Mars scenes filmed in The Martian?
The red sands of Mars were replicated by filming in Jordan’s Wadi Rum. This location was also used for filming in the 2012 movie Prometheus.Â
Why did they cut a hole in the rover in The Martian?
Rover 2 was the rover that Mark Watney used. It was modified significantly to fit the oxygenator, the water making machine and all his food.
Final Thoughts
The best time to visit Hungary is in the Spring and Fall–April, May, September, and October. The weather is mild during this time. Prices are pretty affordable in general. You’ll spend the most at attractions such as museums and other activities.
Have you ever considered a vacation in Hungary to see The Martian filming location? Perhaps you’ve already been there. If so, I’d love to hear all about your experience. Be sure to leave a comment below.
More Cool Film Locations
Here are a few other rad film locations from film that deal with outer space or.. martians!
