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The Ultimate Guide To The Mummy Filming Locations: 7 Surprising Truths About Rick O'Connell's Global Adventures

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Since its release in 1999, The Mummy, starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, has been a blockbuster adventure that captivated audiences with its sweeping Egyptian landscapes and thrilling action. Yet, the question of "where was The Mummy filmed" reveals a surprising truth: very little of the iconic trilogy was actually shot in Egypt. As of late 2025, the film's production stories continue to be a fascinating case study in Hollywood filmmaking, relying on a mix of vast practical sets, the rugged terrain of North Africa, and the controlled environment of British sound stages to bring the fictional world of Rick O'Connell to life.

This deep dive into the production history of the original trilogy—The Mummy (1999), The Mummy Returns (2001), and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)—explores the real-world locations that stood in for ancient tombs, bustling 1920s Cairo, and the legendary City of the Dead, Hamunaptra. Prepare to uncover the global journey taken by director Stephen Sommers and his crew, from the scorching deserts of Morocco to the historic streets of London.

The Mummy (1999): Morocco, The Real Star of 'Egypt'

The first film, which introduced the world to adventurer Rick O'Connell and the brilliant Egyptologist Evelyn "Evie" Carnahan, is arguably the most recognizable for its Egyptian setting. However, due to political instability and logistical challenges at the time, director Stephen Sommers chose to use Morocco as the primary stand-in for the Valley of the Kings and the Sahara Desert. This strategic decision allowed for greater control over the massive production.

  • Marrakech, Morocco: The bustling, chaotic streets of 1920s Cairo, where Rick is imprisoned and Evie works at the local library, were actually filmed in the ancient city of Marrakech. The vibrant markets and historic architecture provided the perfect backdrop to recreate the colonial-era Egyptian capital.
  • Erfoud and the Sahara Desert: The most critical location was the area around Erfoud, a town in eastern Morocco near the Algerian border. This is where the production team built the vast, fictional City of the Dead, Hamunaptra. The sheer scale of the set was immense, taking 16 weeks to construct and featuring fiberglass columns rigged for special effects. The surrounding Sahara Desert, particularly the dunes, served as the backdrop for the arduous desert treks.
  • The Production Challenge: Filming in the Moroccan desert was a grueling ordeal. The cast and crew, including stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, had to contend with severe dehydration, extreme heat, and unpredictable sandstorms. There were even reports of venomous snakes, a constant reminder of the harsh environment.
  • Brendan Fraser's Near-Death Experience: Adding to the film’s legendary production stories, Brendan Fraser famously had a near-fatal accident while filming the hanging scene in the Cairo prison. The stunt went wrong, and he was briefly strangled, requiring immediate medical attention. This incident has become a key piece of The Mummy's behind-the-scenes lore.

The British Connection: Studio Work and Historical Sets

While the exterior shots were filmed under the intense Moroccan sun, much of the interior work, including the more controlled stunt sequences and detailed set pieces, was completed in the United Kingdom.

  • Shepperton Studios, Surrey: The majority of the interior sets, including the intricate tombs, corridors, and the finale's chamber where Imhotep is resurrected, were built on sound stages at Shepperton Studios near London. This allowed the special effects teams, including Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), to meticulously control lighting and environment for the groundbreaking CGI effects.
  • Historic UK Locations: Other parts of the UK, including areas in Buckinghamshire, Kent, and Surrey, were used for specific scenes that required a European feel, providing a contrast to the desert environments.

The Mummy Returns (2001): Expanding the Adventure to Jordan and London

The sequel saw the O'Connell family—Rick, Evie, and their son Alex—return to action, requiring an even larger scope of filming locations to accommodate the introduction of the Scorpion King and the film's blend of Egyptian mythology with 1930s London high society.

  • The Erg Chebbi Dunes, Morocco: The desert scenes for The Mummy Returns were again primarily shot in Morocco, specifically utilizing the spectacular Erg Chebbi Dunes at Merzouga, a location known for its towering, golden sand formations. This provided a visually distinct desert from the first film.
  • Jordan: The production expanded its Middle Eastern footprint to include Jordan, a country known for its dramatic wadis and ancient ruins. This provided authentic, epic backdrops for the high-octane sequences.
  • London's Iconic Landmarks: The film's opening and closing acts are set in London, and unlike the "Cairo" scenes, these were shot on location, providing a fresh, recognizable setting. Key London filming locations included:
    • The British Museum: The exterior and surrounding streets were used, as the museum is the setting for the film’s initial action sequence involving Imhotep's return.
    • Tower Bridge: The climactic chase scene featuring a double-decker bus was famously filmed on and around the iconic Tower Bridge over the River Thames.
    • Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich: Used for its grand, historical architecture, providing a perfect setting for the wealthy, high-society events in the film.
  • Sand Quarry Sets: A massive sand quarry in England was utilized to recreate certain large-scale desert environments, allowing for easier movement of equipment and crew than the remote desert locations.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008): A Geographical Shift to Asia

The third installment, directed by Rob Cohen and featuring Maria Bello replacing Rachel Weisz as Evie, marked a massive geographical and thematic shift, moving the action from the deserts of Egypt to the mountains and ancient tombs of China. This required an entirely new set of global filming locations.

  • Montreal, Canada: A significant portion of the film's production, including large interior sets and controlled environments, was based in Montreal, Canada. This North American hub provided the necessary studio space and production infrastructure for the film's heavy use of special effects, particularly the Terracotta Army sequences.
  • China: The production did extensive location filming in Asia to capture the authentic atmosphere of the Chinese setting. Key filming locations in China included:
    • Beijing: Used for city scenes and historical backdrops.
    • Shanghai: The bustling metropolis provided the setting for the film's 1940s-era sequences, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of the city.
  • Thematic Contrast: This film’s choice of locations—moving from the arid, sun-baked environments of Morocco and Jordan to the colder, mountainous, and lush landscapes of China—highlights the production's commitment to finding the most authentic and visually stunning backdrops for each new adventure.

The legacy of The Mummy trilogy is not just in its thrilling story and memorable characters, but in the sheer scale of its production. By skillfully substituting the deserts of Morocco for Egypt and using the state-of-the-art facilities in the United Kingdom and Canada, Universal Pictures managed to create a timeless adventure that truly spanned the globe, solidifying its place as a classic of the action-adventure genre.

The Ultimate Guide to The Mummy Filming Locations: 7 Surprising Truths About Rick O'Connell's Global Adventures
where was mummy filmed
where was mummy filmed

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