The film "Prometheus" was filmed in Iceland, Scotland, and Jordan, as well as on built sets at Shepperton and Pinewood studios in England, and at the Spanish City of Light. Location shooting required showing a rocky and lifeless planet, so the northern landscapes of glaciers and Scottish moors were ideal, while the deserts of Jordan were used more for background than for full-fledged filming. Given the large number of sets and objects filmed, the use of three studios becomes clear.

Filming Locations:

Waterfall

In the Movie

Scene where one of the creator race arrives on a flying saucer on an unnamed planet and at the top of a waterfall drinks a black liquid, causing his DNA to break down into individual elements and thereby give rise to new life in the water into which he falls after this ritual.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Dettifoss waterfall in Iceland, located in Vatnajökull National Park in the northeast of the island. It is a large waterfall with black rocky banks; the view is so fantastic that the only added special effects are the saucer in the sky. This waterfall is considered the most powerful in Europe.

Moon LV-223

In the Movie

Scene where the crew opens the cargo bay of the ship to drive inside while being chased by a sandstorm. But during entry, a bag falls out and Elizabeth Shaw runs after it but doesn't make it and gets injured.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the Wadi Rum desert and the Scottish moor Rannoch Moor. The mountains in the background are why this location was chosen, but unlike other films shot here, the creators did not use the red tones of the local sand and mountains, but used color grading that significantly changed the primary colors of the landscape. The mountains were cut out using CGI and inserted as a background to the Scottish moor.

Old Man of Storr

In the Movie

Scene where serves as the setting for early moments of archaeological discoveries, using the recognizable pinnacle and surrounding ridge to frame characters against a vast, windswept environment that feels ancient and open.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at an impressive rock pinnacle on the Trotternish ridge with a well-known hiking trail starting from a special roadside parking area. The location combines steep cliffs, wide sea views, and rugged terrain that clearly looks like a remote highland.

Landmannalaugar

In the Movie

Scene where aerial shots of a wide, rocky riverbed are shown to convey a sense of a hostile, geologically young region; the diverse colors and volcanic forms create an alien landscape impression in the first minutes of establishing atmosphere.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a mountainous area in the Icelandic nature reserve Fjallabak, known for rhyolite mountains, geothermal activity, and branching riverbeds that change with seasonal snowmelt. The bright mineral colors and volcanic textures make this area otherworldly even without visual effects.

Shepperton Studios

In the Movie

Scene where includes major interior work, including spaceship and facility interiors, where practical sets, props, and controlled lighting were used to create clean, designed spaces that contrast with the harsh exterior landscapes.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a long-established film studio complex with multiple sound stages and production facilities, used for creating large interior sets. Its controlled stages and backlot infrastructure support extensive set construction, lighting rigs, and effects workflows typical of high-budget sci-fi productions.

Rannoch Moor

In the Movie

Scene where exterior shots are shown, presented as if taking place in a desolate alien area; the main moorland landscape was filmed in Scotland and then supplemented with additional mountain backgrounds to match the intended environment.

In Reality

The scene was filmed on a large wild moor with peat bogs, small lochans, and low hills near the Glencoe area, with frequent rapidly changing weather and wide views. The open, barren land and muted palette create a natural 'empty world' look without dense modern elements.

Wadi Rum Protected Area

In the Movie

Scene where provides desert backgrounds for extended exterior scenes, showing tall mountains and empty space, enhancing the feeling of landing on a distant planet; some shots are linked to classic cinematic references shown in the plot.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a protected desert area with sandstone and granite formations, wide open sand corridors, and steep mountains, widely used by international film productions. Access is usually via Wadi Rum village and visitor center, then off-road by 4x4 into the reserve.

Ciudad de la Luz

In the Movie

Scene where includes additional studio work supporting the film's created interiors and technical episodes, complementing the British stages and allowing production parts to be spread across multiple facilities.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a large studio complex in Alicante, designed for film production, offering sound stages and support buildings suitable for shooting with large sets. The facility was used to conduct complex productions requiring controlled conditions and ample construction space outside the usual UK studio centers.

Landmannalaugar

In the Movie

Scene where aerial shots of a wide, rocky riverbed are shown to convey a sense of a hostile, geologically young region; the diverse colors and volcanic forms create an alien landscape impression in the first minutes of establishing atmosphere.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a mountainous area in the Icelandic nature reserve Fjallabak, known for rhyolite mountains, geothermal activity, and branching riverbeds that change with seasonal snowmelt. The bright mineral colors and volcanic textures make this area otherworldly even without visual effects.

Old Man of Storr

In the Movie

Scene where serves as the setting for early moments of archaeological discoveries, using the recognizable pinnacle and surrounding ridge to frame characters against a vast, windswept environment that feels ancient and open.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at an impressive rock pinnacle on the Trotternish ridge with a well-known hiking trail starting from a special roadside parking area. The location combines steep cliffs, wide sea views, and rugged terrain that clearly looks like a remote highland.

Rannoch Moor

In the Movie

Scene where exterior shots are shown, presented as if taking place in a desolate alien area; the main moorland landscape was filmed in Scotland and then supplemented with additional mountain backgrounds to match the intended environment.

In Reality

The scene was filmed on a large wild moor with peat bogs, small lochans, and low hills near the Glencoe area, with frequent rapidly changing weather and wide views. The open, barren land and muted palette create a natural 'empty world' look without dense modern elements.

Wadi Rum Protected Area

In the Movie

Scene where provides desert backgrounds for extended exterior scenes, showing tall mountains and empty space, enhancing the feeling of landing on a distant planet; some shots are linked to classic cinematic references shown in the plot.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a protected desert area with sandstone and granite formations, wide open sand corridors, and steep mountains, widely used by international film productions. Access is usually via Wadi Rum village and visitor center, then off-road by 4x4 into the reserve.

Shepperton Studios

In the Movie

Scene where includes major interior work, including spaceship and facility interiors, where practical sets, props, and controlled lighting were used to create clean, designed spaces that contrast with the harsh exterior landscapes.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a long-established film studio complex with multiple sound stages and production facilities, used for creating large interior sets. Its controlled stages and backlot infrastructure support extensive set construction, lighting rigs, and effects workflows typical of high-budget sci-fi productions.

Ciudad de la Luz

In the Movie

Scene where includes additional studio work supporting the film's created interiors and technical episodes, complementing the British stages and allowing production parts to be spread across multiple facilities.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a large studio complex in Alicante, designed for film production, offering sound stages and support buildings suitable for shooting with large sets. The facility was used to conduct complex productions requiring controlled conditions and ample construction space outside the usual UK studio centers.