All The Places Where ‘Jurassic World’ Was Filmed
When Steven Spielberg released the first ‘Jurassic Park’ film way back in 1993, even he must have dared not predict the impact the film would have on the average moviegoer’s psyche. ‘Jurassic Park’ was not just a film; it was an experience. Right from the epic opening musical score by legendary Hollywood composer John Williams, to the ridiculously lifelike animatronics based special effects, the film remains a marvel of cinema to this day. This is part of the reason why the gap of nearly fourteen years between the third and the fourth movie in the franchise is a bit of a surprise. What is not a surprise, however, is the enormous hype and success garnered by the 2015 release of ‘Jurassic World’.
Despite featuring an entirely new cast boasting the likes of Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio and Jake Johnson, ‘Jurassic World’ is actually a direct sequel to the original ‘Jurassic Park’ trilogy, taking place over two decades after the events of the original ‘Jurassic Park’.
The story line borrows heavily from its predecessors, with the source of carnage and mayhem this time around being a vicious new hybrid dinosaur named Indominus Rex which escapes its enclosure in the Jurassic World luxury resort. Now, it is up to ex military badass and dinosaur training expert Owen Grady (played by Chris Pratt) to save as many people as he can with the assistance of Claire Dearing (played by Bryce Dallas Howard), the Jurassic World operations manager with whom he shares a romantic past.
If you were wondering where was ‘Jurassic World’ filmed, read on to find out everything we know.
Jurassic World Filming Locations
Like the original ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Jurassic World’ is set in the fictional Central American island of Isla Nublar, which is now home to the Jurassic World theme park. In ‘Jurassic Park’, the scenes depicting Isla Nublar were filmed in multiple locations across Hawaii, and this is the case with ‘Jurassic World’ as well. Most of the exterior shots depicting the lush overgrowth of Isla Nublar were filmed on location in various parts of Hawaii including Oahu, Kauai, and Honolulu.
Some of the exterior scenes, as well as most of the interior scenes in ‘Jurassic World’, were shot on set in a studio in New Orleans, as well as in a number of other locations across Louisiana. Principal photography for the film began in April of 2014, concluding roughly four months later in August.
Kauai, Hawaii
Principal filming for ‘Jurassic World’ took place across two major islands in Hawaii including “the Garden Isle” of Kauai. This is in keeping with franchise traditions, as the first ‘Jurassic Park’ was also filmed on this island. Most of the outdoor filming took place at the Jurassic Kahili Ranch in Kilauea, Kauai. The ranch is a massively diverse natural property covering 2,800 acres and a number of breathtaking waterfalls, lush forests, mountains, ponds, and more.
The famous Kualoa Ranch also makes a brief appearance in the movie as the Dinosaur Island, as do the enchanting Manawaiopuna Falls, Hanapepe Valley. Both are prominent locations where filming for the original ‘Jurassic Park’ was also done.
Other locations in Kauai where ‘Jurassic World’ was filmed include the Na Pali Coast State Park, Olokele Valley, and the Blue Hole.
Oahu, Hawaii
Once again, ‘Jurassic World’ also revisits “The Gathering Place” island of Oahu, in Hawaii. The scene in the movie where the two boys jump off the top of a waterfall was filmed on location in Oahu, at the massive 150 foot tall Manoa Falls.
Limited filming also took place in Hawaii’s capital city of Honolulu in locations that include the Honolulu Zoo and the Hawaii Convention Center.
New Orleans, Louisiana
While the bulk of the exterior filming took place in Hawaii, filming also continued on set in the culinary city of New Orleans. Production was based out of the Big Easy Studios in Gentilly Road, New Orleans, which is also the site for the filming of Tom Cruise’s ‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back’.
The abandoned Six Flags New Orleans park parking lot and NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans together were used to depict the Jurassic World theme park, which massive set constructions on both locations.
Source: www.thecinemaholic.com/