On Set In Iceland Part 1

The Myrdalsjökull Glacier and Southern Iceland

What would be more surprising on your excursion to Iceland than seeing a place you think you may vaguely recognise? This is actually more than just a possibility! The reason for your strange déjà vu is pretty cool actually - there have been TONS of very famous films shot in part, or entirely in these strange lands

Filming in Iceland was a particularly successful casting choice. This magnificent lady gave all of herself most graciously to our camera lenses creating a striking on-screen performance. Iceland as a performer deserves a best lead actress award in any movie she's in.
-Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Halo: Nightfall, 2014

Iceland seems to have become the new “Hollywood” for shooting otherworldly, ancient, apocalyptic or extreme scenery. It's unique and varied landscapes have inspired producers in the creation of many films and television series in a wide array of genres. It has stood in for foreign planets, mythical lands, dystopian futures and sometimes even just Iceland. From glacier lagoons to breathtaking black sand beaches, this island country is in no shortage of dramatic vistas that look as though they are straight out of a movie! Just a short flight from the US and Europe, with excellent tax incentives and a bustling, English speaking populace, Iceland has quickly become a hub for blockbuster backdrops.

Many of these iconic landscapes are actually included in our tours, so you will be able to share in some of the drama that was, no doubt, part of the inspiration that helped to create some of your favorite scenes. With the myriad of films that have taken something from this beautiful land, it may help to take a look at them from the perspective of location.

For part 1 of our On Set in Iceland series, we will take a look at the Myrdalsjökull Glacier and Southern Iceland.

Thor: The Dark World 2013

Iceland’s southernmost glacier, Myrdalsjökull is seems to just be a hotspot for filming, and it is not only because it's ice cap covers the active Katla volcano! It was just south of the glacier that parts of the slightly more historically authentic, “Thor: The Dark World” was shot. Thor (or Þór as he is called in Icelandic), is a well known hero in Nordic mythology. Scenes in the movie were filmed in multiple locations in Iceland. Otherworldly black lava fields created a perfect setting for Svartalfheim, the home of the dark elves, and the entire outer space scene was shot near the Skógarfoss waterfall.

Noah 2014

It was southern Iceland's dramatic landscapes that gave the 2014 film, “Noah” it's wonderfully dark and bewitching feel. The entire movie was shot in Iceland - a large portion was shot in the southern town of Vik and Reynisfjara Beach, the Dyrhólaey arch and the basalt columns of Reynisdrangar made appearances.

This is just a small taste of all of the films shot across this beautiful country. Icelandic Mountain Guides tours offers a one of a kind chance at exploring these and many other amazing locations in Iceland. Stay tuned for more installments on our On Set in Iceland series!