Where Was The Martian Filmed? (Worldwide Film Locations & Cast Details)
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. Those desert frames of Watney alone are a classic extreme long shot.
Director, Ridley Scott and crew built a full-scale habitat module that served as an interior set for several sequences in the film.
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. It is a man vs nature story set on another planet, and we cover that type in our guide to the types of conflict.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wadi Rum, the desert valley in southern Jordan that played Mars, is open to visitors, and local camps run jeep tours through the areas used in the film.
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.
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’s another rad film location from film that deal with outer space or.. martians!
Jay Neill
Jay Neill is the founder and managing editor of iFILMthings and believes everyone should have access to the film resources they need to plan their filmmaking project, which is why he’s dedicated iFILMthings to helping all filmmakers.
I love that you highlighted the filming locations of The Martian, Jay. It’s fascinating to see how filmmakers transform Earth’s landscapes into alien terrains. Hungary’s use for indoor scenes was a smart choice, blending technology and natural beauty to create a believable Martian world.
Really enjoyed reading about The Martian’s awards section. It’s impressive how it swept various nominations considering the tough competition that year. The technical achievements alone were groundbreaking.
This piece on Hungary caught my eye! Do you think the places near the set of The Martian have become tourist destinations? I’m always on the lookout for unique travel experiences.
Fantastic article! Highlighting what Hungary is famous for provides readers with a new perspective and appreciation for the country. It’s great to learn about Hungary’s contribution to The Martian’s success, as well as its own unique attractions.
interesting how they decided to cut a hole in the rover in the martian. wasn’t that a bit risky considering the context? i mean, it worked out, but still, raises questions about emergency protocols in real missions.
You’re right, it does seem risky! But remember, the focus was on survival. In real life, NASA has strict protocols, but they also plan for emergency scenarios. The movie took some liberties for drama.
The Martian has always intrigued me, not only as a film but also for its portrayal of Mars. The filming locations segment was enlightening. It’s impressive how the film managed to closely mimic the Martian landscape, igniting wonder and curiosity about our neighboring planet.
Loved the section on unique places in Hungary! I had no idea how The Martian’s filming locations could double as such interesting tourist spots. Adds a few must-visits to my travel list for sure. Thanks for sharing, Jay!