Where was Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith filmed? Explore Episode III’s filming locations from volcanoes to deserts, beaches, and mountains.
When the opening crawl hits and the drums of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith start pounding, every Star Wars fan feels it: lightsabers ignited, hearts racing, and Anakin’s future looking… extremely crispy.
But somewhere between the lava rivers of Mustafar and the Wookiee beaches of Kashyyyk, a sneaky thought pops up: “Where was Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith filmed?!”
Because let’s be honest – those worlds look way too real to be just green screens… and way too dangerous for Hayden Christensen’s insurance policy. The truth is a galactic adventure of volcanoes, tropical bays, snowy Alps, and legendary movie studios where Jedi robes outnumber coffee mugs.
From real eruptions in Sicily to Swiss mountains standing in for doomed Alderaan, the Revenge of the Sith filming locations are a wild behind-the-scenes starmap worthy of the Jedi Archives.
But, unlike earlier Star Wars films that packed the cast off to deserts and glaciers, most of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (or ROTS, if you prefer) was filmed on massive sound stages, with real-world locations used mainly for background photography and stitched together through heavy CGI compositing.
So grab your popcorn, ignite your lightsaber (on safe mode), and join us as we hyperspace across Earth to uncover where Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was filmed. May the tour… be with you.
Table of Contents
🌌 Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith Filming Locations
Strap in, Padawan. We’re jumping through hyperspace to every major Revenge of the Sith filming location.
🌋 Mount Etna, Sicily – The Lava Flows of Mustafar
Mustafar – the exact spot where Anakin Skywalker upgrades from “conflicted Jedi with trust issues” to “crispy Sith Lord with built-in respirator” – was inspired by real eruption footage from Mount Etna in Sicily.
Second-unit crews filmed lava rivers, ash clouds, and glowing magma flows so that Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) could design the most dramatic breakup location in cinematic history.
No actors actually swung lightsabers near molten rock (insurance premiums alone could fund another Death Star), but Etna’s real eruptions gave Mustafar its terrifying realism and fiery color palette.
When Obi-Wan shouts “You were the Chosen One!” across a river of lava, that rage feels real because the background chaos actually was.
Mount Etna erupts constantly, which is hilariously on-brand for Anakin’s emotional stability. One bad prophecy dream? Volcano. The Council won’t promote you? Volcano. Master Windu says: Take a seat? Mega-volcano. It’s basically the galaxy’s angriest mood ring.
What was filmed here:
- Real lava flows: Mustafar terrain plates
- Ash plumes: Duel atmosphere
- Magma glow: Lighting references for VFX
- Explosion footage: Background chaos
Fan trivia:
- Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor rehearsed the duel for weeks – it became one of the longest sword fights ever filmed.
- The lava duel music, Battle of the Heroes, is peak John Williams drama.
Mustafar later becomes Darth Vader’s fortress world, proving the Sith really love dramatic real estate.
Watching Obi-Wan yell across lava might be the galaxy’s most intense long-distance argument – and somewhere on Mount Etna, a tour guide probably jokes, “And here… Anakin lost the debate.”
🏔️ Grindelwald, Switzerland – The Mountains of Alderaan
Before the Death Star ruined the galactic housing market, Alderaan’s breathtaking beauty came from landscapes in Grindelwald, tucked into the Alps of Switzerland.
These peaceful mountain views appear during Padmé’s pregnancy scenes in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, giving us a quiet, emotional pause before everything spirals into Order 66 chaos.
It’s basically Star Wars whispering, “Here’s paradise… enjoy it while it lasts,” while fans everywhere yell, “DON’T GET ATTACHED, WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!”
Grindelwald is so ridiculously beautiful that it already looks like CGI. Even the Empire might hesitate before building a base there – at least long enough to admire the view, check Zillow prices, and then blow it up anyway.
What was filmed here:
- Alpine peaks: Alderaan skyline
- Snow valleys: Background scenery
Fan trivia:
- Alderaan appears briefly but remains one of the saga’s most iconic planets.
- Princess Leia technically grew up somewhere this gorgeous… before inheriting trauma and a rebellion.
- Alderaan’s peaceful look was chosen to contrast Mustafar’s lava chaos.
- Fans still joke Alderaan had the shortest tourism boom in the galaxy.
🌴 Phang Nga Bay, Thailand – The Wookiee Shores of Kashyyyk
The Wookiee homeworld’s tropical coastline came from Phang Nga Bay near Phuket. Those towering limestone karsts rising out of emerald water gave Kashyyyk a perfectly weird, alien vibe – like Earth decided to cosplay Star Wars for a day.
Add giant CGI tree cities, clone troopers marching through surf, and Yoda flipping around like a caffeinated frog with a grudge, and boom – instant Star Wars magic. It’s exactly the kind of place Chewbacca would book for vacation… if he didn’t still owe Han money for hyperdrive repairs.
What was filmed here:
- Limestone karsts: Kashyyyk shoreline
- Tropical jungle: Wookiee habitat
Fan trivia:
- Yoda sensing Order 66 here is still emotionally devastating.
- Chewbacca’s reunion with Yoda is pure fan service perfection.
- Wookiees definitely invented coconut drinks… served in hollowed-out battle droids.
- The same bay appeared in The Man with the Golden Gun – apparently, both Bond villains and Wookiees love dramatic islands.
🏞️ Guilin, China – The Misty Peaks of Kashyyyk
More Kashyyyk-like beauty came from the surreal karst peaks of Guilin, China. These towering limestone formations rise dramatically from mist-covered valleys, looking less like real geography and more like a concept artist went wild with a fantasy paintbrush.
ILM layered massive CGI Wookiee tree cities over these landscapes, transforming southern China into one of the most memorable battlefields in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
The result feels ancient, spiritual, and lived-in – exactly what you’d expect from a planet that grows trees the size of skyscrapers and produces eight-foot-tall walking carpets.
And somehow, watching Order 66 unfold in scenery this breathtaking makes it sting even more. One minute, it’s paradise; the next, clone troopers turn on the Jedi. Even Yoda’s expression practically says, “Disturbed, the vibes are.”
What was filmed here:
- Karst peaks: Kashyyyk skyline
- River valleys: Jungle terrain
Fan trivia:
- Guilin’s landscapes have inspired Chinese paintings and poetry for centuries.
- In canon, Kashyyyk’s wroshyr trees are taller than many real-world skyscrapers.
- Chewbacca helping Yoda escape here remains one of the saga’s most satisfying team-ups – and yes, he still owes the Jedi Master a proper Wookiee hug.
🌵 Chott el Djerid, Tunisia – The Twin Suns of Tatooine
Baby Luke’s future home used reference plates from Chott el Djerid in Tunisia, part of the same legendary Star Wars desert region that helped define Tatooine way back in 1976.
Even in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, the saga couldn’t resist returning to its sandy roots. Those endless salt flats and shimmering horizons perfectly sell Luke’s quiet, lonely beginning under twin suns.
It’s peaceful, nostalgic, and just dusty enough to make you understand why Anakin absolutely loses it over sand. Coarse, rough, irritating… and apparently unavoidable – even for CGI artists.
What was filmed here:
- Desert plates: Tatooine horizon
- Salt flats: Lars homestead backdrop
Fan trivia:
- The Tunisian town of Tataouine helped inspire the name Tatooine.
- Luke’s actual homestead exterior in Episode III was a studio build.
- Tunisia has hosted Star Wars filming since the original trilogy.
- Fans visiting the desert still quote, “I don’t like sand,” immediately.
Book Star Wars tours:
- Tunisia: Exclusive 8-Day Star Wars Tour with Accommodation
- Tozeur: Star Wars Filming Locations Day Trip with Lunch
- Star Wars Day Trip to Ong Djemal Nefta and Sidi Bouhlel Dgeche
🎬 Fox Studios Australia, Sydney – The Heart of Coruscant
Most of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith was shot at Fox Studios Australia (now Disney Studios Australia) in Sydney. Coruscant skylines, the Jedi Temple, Mustafar interiors, the Senate chamber – were built here on gigantic sound stages surrounded by green screens.
Actors often fought invisible droids while staring at tennis balls taped to sticks, imagining armies that would be added later. George Lucas built an entire galaxy inside a warehouse, proving that imagination plus ILM equals cinematic Force magic.
What was filmed here:
- Jedi Temple massacre: Youngling hallway and clone attack sets
- Senate lightsaber duel: Massive chamber set with CGI extensions
- Mustafar duel interiors: Lava control room and platforms
- Coruscant scenes: Jedi Council chamber and Palpatine’s office
Fan trivia:
- Ewan McGregor made his own lightsaber sound effects while filming (he couldn’t resist).
- Episode III was one of the first major movies shot entirely on digital cameras.
- Palpatine’s office set was huge – and full of Sith-level dramatic lighting.
- Hayden Christensen trained intensely for the duel choreography with stunt teams.
- The green screens were so big they reportedly made actors feel like they were inside a tennis court… in space.
🎥 UK Studios – Elstree & Shepperton
When Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith needed extra polish, pickups, and VFX magic, the production returned to two legendary British studios: Elstree Studios and Shepperton Studios.
Elstree is basically sacred ground for Star Wars fans – the original trilogy was filmed there, so stepping inside feels like enrolling at Jedi Hogwarts. Shepperton handled additional pickups and inserts.
Together, these studios helped tighten performances, capture close-ups, and give ILM the extra footage needed to turn green screens into galaxies.
What was filmed here:
- Dialogue reshoots: Extra emotional beats and clarity
- Close-up shots: Dramatic reactions and Force stares
- Pickup scenes: Small inserts and fixes
- VFX plates: Extra material for CGI compositing
Fan trivia:
- The Millennium Falcon once sat at Elstree decades earlier.
- Shepperton later hosted major Marvel movies.
- British tea probably fueled half the Empire’s logistics.
❓ Revenge of the Sith Filming FAQ
Did the Revenge of the Sith cast travel everywhere?
No – most stayed in Sydney studios.
Is Episode III fully digital?
Yes – one of the first major all-digital films.
Can fans visit these locations?
Yes, you can visit Mount Etna, Grindelwald, Phang Nga Bay, Tunisia’s Star Wars tours, and studio tours in Sydney and the UK.
How long did the Mustafar duel take to film?
Weeks of rehearsal and shooting – it’s one of the longest sword fights ever filmed.
Which scene used the most CGI?
The opening Coruscant space battle – thousands of ships and explosions.
Was Order 66 filmed on location?
Mostly studio work, with outdoor plates composited in later.
Did George Lucas film cameos?
Yes – he appears as Baron Papanoida in the opera scene.
Most emotional Revenge of the Sith filming location?
The Jedi Temple set… where childhoods ended, and fans cried. 😢
📺 Where to Watch Revenge of the Sith
Ready to relive “Hello there,” “Execute Order 66,” and the galaxy’s most dramatic lava breakup? Here’s where fans can usually watch Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
- Streaming: Disney+ is the home of all Star Wars movies in most regions.
- Amazon Prime Video: Watch the Theatrical Version or the version with Bonus Content.
- Physical Copies: Blu-ray/4K UHD box sets.
- Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga 9-Movie Collection: Bonus features, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes footage showing how green screens became galaxies.
- Other sites: Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube Movies.
Fan tip:
- Watch Revenge of the Sith with subtitles on – you’ll catch sneaky lines from Palpatine and background chatter during Order 66.
- Then immediately queue up Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 finale for emotional damage.
Disclaimer: This is a fan-created article made for commentary and informational purposes only. Star Wars, its characters, names, images, and related trademarks are the property of Lucasfilm Ltd. and The Walt Disney Company, and no copyright infringement is intended.
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