Naman Shrestha
Directed by Ric Roman Waugh, ‘Shelter’ is a spy action thriller movie that stars Jason Statham as Michael Mason, a former British assassin who worked for an elite government kill team called Black Kites. In actuality, he has been on the run from the agency after turning rogue against them. Leading a reclusive life on an isolated island in Scotland with his dog, Michael rescues a young girl named Jessie from a life-threatening storm.
His violent past soon comes back to haunt him and Jessie. In order to keep her protected and away from harm’s way, Michael taps into his abilities and skills as a former assassin. While the government agency is determined to exterminate him, he is forced to confront his past and survive the deadly attacks. Besides Statham, the enthralling film also features Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Bill Nighy, Naomi Ackie, and Daniel Mays. The narrative is set in a remote coastal Scottish island, which initially appears to be an ideal place for reclusivity, but becomes a war zone between the Black Kites and Michael.
Shelter Filming Locations
The shooting for ‘Shelter’ was primarily conducted in Ireland, England, and Scotland, specifically County Wicklow, Dublin, London, Hertfordshire, Surrey, and Edinburgh. A few portions were also shot in the Province of Málaga, Spain. According to reports, principal photography for the Jason Statham starrer got underway in February 2025 and wrapped up after three months in May of the same year.
County Wicklow, Ireland
For the purpose of filming, the cast and crew of ‘Shelter’ visited County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. It doubles up as the secluded coastal island Michael Mason calls home. Filming took place in several locations in Wicklow, the county town, particularly in and around Wicklow Harbour. Located south of the latter, Travelahawk Beach lent its dramatic scenery for the scenes featuring the beach, boathouse, and shoreline near Mason’s house. The sequences showcasing the devastating storm in which the former British government assassin rescues the young girl, Jessie, from a shipwreck, were all filmed on the pebble beach. Interestingly, they reportedly bought equipment and materials from England to build sets depicting his off-the-grid life.
The production department constructed not only the building Mason resides in but also the dilapidated lighthouse near his place. According to reports, the structures were later dismantled, and materials were sent back to England upon the conclusion of taping. Part of Wicklow Harbour, the scenic, historic area of South Quay, served as one of the shooting sites for ‘Shelter.’ Nearby, the ruined coastal fortification of Black Castle, overlooking the harbour, provided breathtaking views that shaped a few scenes. The dramatic scenery of the thriller was also created using the seafront promenade of The Mall.
Shooting was further conducted in the Wicklow Mountains, particularly in Sally Gap, a high mountain pass about 40 minutes from Wicklow Town. The cast and crew were spotted filming at Clermont House, a red-brick Palladian country house in Rathnew, renowned for its period architecture and grand surroundings. Some exterior sequences were taped in Enniskerry, with the team taking advantage of the charm of the colorful village streets and surrounding countryside. A few establishing shots were captured in the rural areas of the Gateway to Wicklow. Main Street, lined with traditional cottages, cafes, and other businesses, is another location where filming was done. A couple of scenes were reportedly taped on Ballyhenry Road, a residential street in the village of Ashford.
Dublin, Ireland
To paint the visual aesthetic of the Jason Statham starrer, the team of ‘Shelter’ also settled on a few spots in Dublin, Ireland. From what we can tell, the city’s blend of historic architecture and contemporary streetscapes was utilized by the team to create a metropolitan backdrop for the movie. A prominent filming hub, the capital of the Republic of Ireland has hosted the production of movies and shows like ‘Braveheart,’ ‘Barry Lyndon,’ ‘The Tudors,’ ‘The Count of Monte Cristo,’ ‘Haywire,’ ‘In the Name of the Father,’ ‘The Spy Who Came in from the Cold,’ ‘Dublin Murders,’ and ‘Ripper Street.’
London, England
A significant chunk of ‘Shelter’ was also lensed in the capital of England and the United Kingdom — London. The SIS Building at 85 Albert Embankment in the Vauxhall area of South London served as the exterior for the MI6 Headquarters. Numerous scenes were also recorded in and around the O2 (formerly known as the Millennium Dome), situated on the Greenwich peninsula in South East London. As for the city and urban scenes, along with the nightclub scenes, they were also seemingly shot in and around London.
The high-octane boat action sequences were reportedly taped on the River Thames, near East India Quay and Canary Wharf in the Isle of Dogs. During a conversation with the BBC, Jason Statham, who portrays Michael Mason, talked about the open-sea rescue scenes being some of the most challenging moments during the shooting process. “That pushed me really physically,” he said. “It’s hard to make under water work look good and anyone will know that swimming with a jacket and size 10 boots on isn’t easy.”
Other Locations in England
For the purpose of shooting, the filming unit of ‘Shelter’ also traveled to other parts of England, including the ceremonial county of Hertfordshire. To be specific, they took over Blossom Farm and the surrounding areas, located just over an hour from central London, and filmed various key portions, including a shoot-out and a car chase. Furthermore, Shepperton Studios on Studios Road in Shepperton served as a pivotal production location as the production team recorded various interior boat scenes and other important sequences. Home to about 31 purpose-built sound stages and two backlots, the film studio also offers a variety of workshops, production offices, meeting rooms, wardrobe, and hair and make-up rooms, and more. All these amenities make Shepperton Studios an ideal filming destination for different kinds of projects.
Edinburgh, Scotland
The cast and crew members of ‘Shelter’ also set up camp in and around Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. From what we can tell, they recorded various scenes in different streets and neighborhoods of the city. It is likely that you might spot many landmarks and buildings in the backdrop, such as the Dugald Stewart Monument, the Scott Monument, St. Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, and the Scottish Parliament Building. However, they also filmed establishing shots of the nearby Lamb island, which served as the isolated Scottish island where Michael lives as a recluse.
Province of Málaga, Spain
Additional portions for the Jason Statham starrer were also filmed in the Province of Málaga, situated in Spain’s Andalusia. The ending scenes were reportedly lensed in the municipality of Ronda. In particular, the Puente Nuevo in El Tajo gorge and the surrounding Guadalevín River feature in a few outdoor portions. Apart from ‘Shelter,’ the province has hosted the production of multiple movies and shows, including ‘Damsel,’ ‘Red Notice,’ ‘Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,’ ‘Warrior Nun,’ ‘La Reina del Sur,’ and ‘Suspicious Minds.’
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