With modern and futuristic architecture, as well as lush greenery all around, it is no wonder film directors pick Singapore as a filming spot for their movies and series. While we all know about the infamous movie, Crazy Rich Asians, that was filmed in Singapore and Malaysia back in 2018, there are still many other movies that were shot in Singapore which not all locals know about!
Hitman: Agent 47
Singapore plays a main role in Hitman: Agent 47 as the film was shot right here in Singapore in 2014. Hitman: Agent 47 is an action thriller film based on the Hitman video game series. Iconic landmarks of Singapore, such as Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay can be seen as backdrop in the film.
Equals
Equals is a dystopian sci-fi drama starring multiple famous actors such as Kristen Stewart. Some locations that were used in the film are condos in Harbourfront as well as Marina Barrage. The crew were also able to travel around Singapore while they were on break!
Saint Jack
Saint Jack is a 1978 comedy-drama film that was secretly filmed entirely in Singapore! This was the first Hollywood movie shot entirely in Singapore. Saint Jack is a film adapted from Paul Theroux’s 1973 novel of the same name. This film had been initially banned in Singapore on its release due to its LGBT related content, until 2006.
Independence Day: Resurgence
Independence Day: Resurgence is a 2016 science fiction action film, a sequel to the 1996 film Independence Day. In a short clip in the film, Singapore’s skyline appears to be destroyed by aliens. Singapore’s skyline was chosen along with Big Ben, Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower to be burned in flames. Not only did they film the skyline of Singapore, they also did the same in West Wendover, Nevada, London, and at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, before using CGI to destroy the city – how cool is that right?
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
This film follows the previous Pirates of the Caribbean film where Jack Sparrow was swallowed up by a giant sea monster. In this film, the pirates travel all the way to Singapore to find the end of the world and save Jack Sparrow. Rick Heinrichs, production designer for Pirates of the Caribbean, mentioned that it took a lot of research to tell a different story of pirates in 1720s Singapore. “Singapore… is kind of at crossroads in Southeast Asia, with many different cultural references”, Visual-effects supervisor John Knoll tells MTV. This film was not specifically filmed in Singapore, as 18th century Singapore was not a well-documented era, but still, this film gave Singapore much recognition!
Turns out, there are so many Hollywood films that has been filmed in Singapore! Have you watched any and did you notice some familiar places? Let us know in the comments down below!
