Celebrities seen filming in Surrey in 2022 including George Clooney
Surrey is a county packed with sprawling countryside, quaint villages and gorgeous backdrops. So it is no surprise then that the area is a magnet for filmmakers. Classic horrors such as ‘The Omen’ in the 1970s and ‘American Werewolf in London’ in the 1980s have been shot in the county.
While more recently, many Marvel Cinematic Universe films such as Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor: The Dark World and Avengers: Age of Ultron used Bourne Wood just south of Farnham. While film stars themselves are drawn to Surrey for more than just work and some end up living here. The likes of Dame Judi Dench, Sir Michael Caine, Brian Blessed and even Antonio Banderas have all called Surrey their home.
READ MORE: The little-known Surrey forest home to dozens of Hollywood productions Below is a list of the celebrities and productions spotted across Surrey this year. No doubt there will be plenty more stars travelling to the county in 2023 to shoot their next bit hit.
Cameron Diaz in Dorking for nearby ‘Netflix filming’
Cameron Diaz filming in Shere on the set of The Holiday in 2006 (Image: Daily Mirror)
Hollywood star Cameron Diaz was spotted in a Dorking pub – Kings Arms – dining with her family.
Back in 2006, she starred the festive classic ‘The Holiday’ back in 2006 that was partly filmed in Shere. In December, Diaz was seen filming a few miles from the village and despite recent rumours of ‘Holiday’ sequel, residents who saw the actress believe she was shooting with Jamie Foxx for a Netflix comedy called ‘Back In Action’. Read the full story here.
Kate Winslet films at accountancy firm for latest feature
Kate Winslet filming in Azets in Guildford (Image: Azets)
National treasure Kate Winslet shot part of her latest film ‘I Am Ruth’ in Guildford accountancy film, Azets.
The Channel 4 production is a powerful drama about young people’s mental health in the digital age. During filming, Kate met staff and worked alongside admin team member Michelle Garner, who even joined the film crew for lunch as a thank you. The firm then named a meeting room the ‘Winslet Room’ in the Academy Award winner’s honour.
Read the full story here.
Reigate town centre filming with two Hollywood legends
Film trailers in a car park next to Reigate Town Hall (Image: Surrey Live / Darren Pepe)
Although no actual celebrities were reportedly seen, a gathering of what appeared to be film trailers in Reigate town centre in October prompted speculation over what feature was being shot. And if true, it was one starring two Hollywood heavyweights. One Twitter user wrote: “movie filming currently in Reigate : The Great Escaper with Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson”.
While Sophie Rumble called Reigate “the new Hollwood” and told SurreyLive: “I was driving to my work at a flower shop in Redhill and went round a one-way system and saw them all… “I thought ‘oh what’s going on here then?’ “And there was so much activity happening that I thought it was that until I got a bit closer and realised there was a catering unit and a double-decker truck of some description. So it was obviously something a bit more interesting.” Read the full story here.
George Clooney seen at Surrey boat club
George Clooney spotted on the set of his new film in East Molesey (Image: SurreyLive – Grahame Larter)
Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney was seen at Molesey Boat Club on Barge Walk, East Molesey in May.
The 61-year-old was there directing for his 1930s period piece The Boys in the Boat. Walton resident Jonathan Chipchase-Crawford saw the two-time Oscar winner while out on a morning cycle ride. He says described Clooney as “very relaxed and tanned” while working on set.
He added: “I was with my wife on the way towards Richmond and just before we got to the boat club we saw a load of people down from the cricket club all dressed in 1930s style outfits. I was just thinking, ‘what’s going on here?'” Read the full story here.
Hankley Common
Filming is taking place in Hankley Common reportedly for a Ridley Scott film (Image: Michael Hoblyn)
A production of blockbuster proportions was spotted shooting in March on a site popular with Hollywood. Film trailers were seen on Hankley Common by Elstead and believed to be part of Sir Ridley Scott’s upcoming epic ‘Napoleon’.
The film is due on Apple TV+ in 2023 and stars Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix, known for his role as the Joker, as the French emperor with Vanessa Kirby playing Empress Josephine. In October, it was also rumoured that the vast nature reserve was used for filming the second season of Amazon Prime’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. A large set was seen by eagle-eyed walkers on the common, including a ruined village complete with collapsed houses giving way to an ominous, barren black landscape.
Read the full stories here and here.
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