Shubhabrata Dutta
Helmed by Guy Ritchie, the Apple TV+ action-adventure movie ‘Fountain of Youth’ takes the viewers on a globe-trotting search for the titular fountain that can grant immortality. The story follows Luke, a treasure-hunter who smartly manipulates her estranged sister, Charlotte, into joining him on the search for the Fountain of Youth. Charlotte thinks that Luke is way over his head regarding the magical water, but joins him anyway after falling prey to her own thirst for adventure. The two soon find themselves dealing with villainous characters, dangerous situations, and unexpected twists as they follow the various clues, which take them across five continents. Needless to say, the movie ensures that the viewers join the characters in the quest by presenting authentic, larger-than-life visuals.
Fountain of Youth Filming Locations
‘Fountain of Youth’ was filmed in England, Egypt, Austria, Thailand, and Italy, particularly in London, Liverpool, Leavesden, Cairo, Luxor, Vienna, Bangkok, and Rome. Principal photography reportedly began in February 2024 and continued for several months before wrapping up in October of the same year. “You go on an action-adventure yourself while you’re constructing these things. So the making of films is as much fun as you think it’s going to be,” director Guy Ritchie told Entertainment Weekly while sharing his experience.
London, England
London became the base for the filming of ‘Fountain of Youth.’ Many indoor scenes were filmed in the British capital, along with several outdoor scenes and establishing shots. Talking to Sharp Magazine about his process of filmmaking, Ritchie stated, “You take what you have got on the page and then you end up in the environment [where] everything [can] change, it’s sunny when it’s supposed to be raining. Everything changes.” “If you can’t beat what’s on the page, then we will just go with what’s on the page, but it’s fun for everyone to collaborate and try to see if you can improve the map that you’ve got. 9 times out of 10, you can,” he added. Other adventure movies that have used London for filming include ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout,’ and ‘Tomb Raider.’
Liverpool, England
Many outdoor scenes and establishing shots were also lensed in the port city of Liverpool in Merseyside, England. The exterior of the World Museum, located at William Brown Street near the Queensway Tunnel entrance, has been used for some scenes. A car chase sequence involving a stunt double wearing a John Krasinski mask was recorded around Exchange Flags, a Grade II listed building at the corner of Exchange Street East and Tithebarn Street in Liverpool city centre. Similar scenes involving both Portman and Krasinski in a vintage convertible sports car were shot near St. George’s Hall at Lime Street opposite Lime Street railway station, and near the Walker Art Gallery on William Brown Street. Sets were meticulously curated to ensure public safety, with crew members keeping everything under control. ‘The Stolen Girl‘ and ‘Toxic Town‘ were also filmed in Liverpool.
Leavesden, England
For several indoor scenes requiring controlled environments, the team resorted to Leavesden, a village in Watford in Hertfordshire County. This is where the Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is located. The crew used it to film a sunken ship sequence, for which a ship with decks covered in seaweed and puddles was constructed on pylons in a backlot. A labyrinth within the pyramids of Giza was recreated in one of the stages. An underwater scene with actors Natalie Portman and John Krasinski was taped using a water tank. Located at Warner Drive, the 200-acre state-of-the-art facility offers 19 stages, including some of Europe’s biggest tanks, a 100-acre backlot, top-tier filming, set, and light equipment, and bespoke post-production services. Some other projects that have utilized the studio’s services are ‘The Gorge,’ ‘Mickey 17,’ ‘Venom: The Last Dance,’ and ‘House of the Dragon.’
Cairo, Egypt
A section of the film was also taped in several archaeological sites across Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, located in its northeastern region. Many scenes were captured with the Great Pyramids of Giza, AKA the Giza necropolis, in the backdrop. Built between 2600 BC and 2500 BC, they are considered some of the greatest man-made marvels on the planet. Besides the pyramids, the city is also known for the Great Sphinx, an iconic limestone statue on the west bank of the Nile River.
Luxor, Egypt
The crew also shot several scenes in Luxor, a city in Upper Egypt, especially at the Valley of the Kings, which lies close to the city. The area served as the primary burial ground for the pharaohs and nobles from around 1550 BC to 1077 BC. Both Cairo and Luxor are centers of tons of mythical stories and legends, making them apt locations within the narrative. Other famous landmarks in Luxor include the Valley of the Queens, Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum, Ramesseum, and Karnak Temple. Egypt’s Ministry of Interior provided extensive logistical support to the production team, including special vehicles, dedicated filming villages, the import and export of production equipment, and more. This ensured a streamlined shooting process, which in turn enabled the government to promote the country as a global filming location.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna, the capital of Austria, also served as one of the production locations for ‘Fountain of Youth,’ as plenty of indoor and outdoor scenes were taped on location. The crew accessed the interiors of the Austrian National Library, located at Josefsplatz 1, for several shots. Home to manuscripts dating back to the 4th century, it is one of the largest libraries in the country. It also has the largest papyrus collection, a fact that may have contributed to the narrative as well. Besides the library, some scenes were lensed at the Schwarzenbergplatz square, which is named after Prince Karl Philipp of Schwarzenberg.
The main attraction at the square is the Hochstrahlbrunnen fountain, built in 1873 to celebrate the completion of the city’s water supply system. Heldenplatz, AKA Heroes’ Square, the space in front of the Hofburg Palace, located at 1010 Vienna, was utilized for additional scenes. The 13th-century palace is the official residence of the president of Austria. Vienna has been used as the setting for many well-known movies and shows, like ‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation,’ ‘The Recruit,’ and ‘Nine Perfect Strangers.’
Bangkok, Thailand
In Thailand, the production team set up shop in Bangkok, the country’s capital, to capture outdoor scenes incorporating various streets and landmarks. The area around the royal Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple, located at 300, Ratchamongkhon Prasat Alley, in Pak Khlong Phasi Charoen, was used for establishing shots. The location offers a change in the visuals, from the historical buildings in Vienna and the pyramids of Egypt to ornate temples and elevated houses. The city also hosted the production of films like ‘The Hangover Part II,’ ‘Mechanic: Resurrection,’ and ‘Hunger.’
Rome, Italy
In Italy, the crew taped some additional scenes and aerial views of Rome, the country’s capital. Reputed for its historical architecture, including the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, Trevi Fountain, and the Fontana della Barcaccia, the location is among the most-sought after ones for international productions. Films like ‘Angels and Demons,’ ‘Ben-Hur,’ ‘The Beautiful Game,’ and ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ showcase the city’s grandeur and beauty, which also make it one of the most popular tourist destinations around the globe. A global center of fashion and food, Rome belongs as much to the present as it does to the past.
Vatican City
Additional scenes, including establishing shots, were also filmed in Vatican City. It is a landlocked city that boasts St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the headquarters of the Catholic Church. Surrounded by Rome, it gained independence from Italy in 1929 and has its own governing body. The 120-acre city is a historical canvas incorporating some of the finest works of art in world history. Some legendary architects whose artwork can be spotted there are Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Sandro Botticelli, and Raphael.
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