In the hustle and bustle of a film or series shoot, the set is alive with activity. But what happens after the final clap? Discover sites left abandoned after basking in the light of the spotlight.
The shooting of a film sometimes involves the creation of sumptuous and imposing sets. Sets that are often dismantled after the needs of visual production. There are exceptions, however. Here are former hotspots of cinema left abandoned or reclaimed by nature.
Le Hobbit: Nouvelle-Zélande
The sets of The Lord of the Rings were temporary, unlike those of The Hobbit, built to last. Located in a sheep farm in New Zealand, “Hobbiton” is now one of the most famous sets for movie enthusiasts.
Star Wars: Ong Jamal, Tunisia
Ong Jamal in Tunisia served as the backdrop for Mos Espa, a city on the desert planet Tatooine. One of the still-existing Star Wars filming locations most visited by fans.
Popeye: Anchor Bay, Malta
Popeye was filmed in Anchor Bay in the late 1970s. The bay represented the fictional town of Sweethaven. The site has since been transformed into a theme park, attracting divers among others.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Wallilabou Bay, St. Vincent
Port Royal was built on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent specifically for the film. While some structures have been destroyed by tropical storms, the public can still explore numerous facades and even ‘hanging pirates.’
Stay tuned for more abandoned film sets around the world!
