Disney Movies You Didn’t Know Were Filmed at Pinewood Studios
The Walt Disney Studios recently attended Pinewood Studios’ Futures Festival, the largest free careers event in the UK for 14 to 22-year-olds looking to start a career in the film and TV industry. The event hosted 4,500 guests, 50 exhibitors and 25 masterclasses and panels. Alongside Disney Live Action, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic, the Studios team shared their experiences and opportunities with attendees who wanted to learn more about production.
The teams also showcased props from many of the iconic movies that were filmed at Pinewood Studios. Check out just a few of those films below!
1. The Little Mermaid (2023)
The underwater sequences for Disney’s The Little Mermaid were filmed “dry for wet,” meaning the cast were set in special effects rigs for movement and the water was created by the visual effects team. The surface water sequences were filmed in indoor and outdoor water tanks.
Prince Eric’s full-size ship was built on a gimble and set at about 50 to 70 feet in the air.
2. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
The sequel trilogy of the Skywalker Saga called Pinewood Studios home for five years!
For the conclusion to the series, a full-size X-wing was built at 40 feet long. The starfighter was suspended above the set as Luke Skywalker raised it out of the ocean. The set was built on the backlot at Pinewood Studios and meant to replicate Skellig Island in the Atlantic Ocean.
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3. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The introduction of Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe utilized several stages at both Pinewood Studios and Shepperton Studios. One of the most notable moments was the famous submarine chase, filmed at Pinewood’s unique, permanently filled Underwater Stage.
This stage’s water temperature is maintained at 30 degrees Celsius (87 degrees Fahrenheit). The ultraviolet filtration system limits chlorine use and reduces red eye, ensuring a comfortable working environment for the cast and crew.
4. Mary Poppins Returns (2018) and Cinderella (2015)
Pinewood Studios is built around a Grade II listed, Victorian country house in Buckinghamshire called Heatherden Hall. This location is home to magnificent formal gardens, featured in Cinderella as the palace gardens, and then a few years later, in Mary Poppins Returns as Regent’s Park.
A special thank you to everyone who attended the event! For more information about Pinewood Studios’ Futures Festival, visit: https://pinewoodfuturesfestival.com/.
Interested in learning more about opportunities at The Walt Disney Studios? Visit DisneyCareers.com!
