One London Underground station conceals a surprise for Star Wars fans, offering a closer encounter with the iconic franchise than they might expect. If you go down the escalator at Canary Wharf, tap your card, and head to the Jubilee line platform, you step into the very setting of Rogue One!
That’s right -Canary Wharf ’s Jubilee line platform doubles as the Scarif Imperial Security Complex, featuring in two scenes of the movie, around the 1 hour and 30-minute mark, and in the teaser trailer.
When the trailer was revealed, Londoners with a keen eye for detail were quick to recognize the familiar dark corridors depicted in the film, where Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor, and K-2SO make their daring escape. However, some may notice a curious detail: the shots are actually horizontally flipped in the trailer!
READ MORE: Royal Mint launches Star Wars Millennium Falcon coins and you can get one for £12
At Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016, director Gareth Edwards confirmed what many suspected: Canary Wharf was the backdrop for Rogue One's action-packed sequences. He said: “My first job in television was just around the corner from [Canary Wharf]. I thought, this is something from the future. This is like a sci-fi-movie. If I ever get to do a sci-fi film in my life, I’m going to film it here.”
In the Star Wars universe, the Scarif Imperial Security Complex is a centre for research, structural engineering, and manufacturing for the Death Star project. Canary Wharf already has an imperial feel to it, but in the movie, CGI magic makes it even more futuristic, transforming it into a setting that feels light-years away from its everyday hustle.
Gareth Edwards found inspiration in the station's sleek chrome interiors and glass canopies, enhancing the film's atmosphere with its dimly lit, metallic structures—a perfect match for the clandestine facility on Scarif.
And there’s more! Exiting the station towards Adams Plaza Bridge, fans can step right into the entrance of the Imperial Security Bureau Headquarters from Andor, further immersing themselves in the Star Wars universe.
If you get out of Canary Wharf tube station onto the street, head towards Canada Place on your left. Continuing straight through the mall's expanse, you'll experience the sensation of emerging from the ISB headquarters, conveniently situated adjacent to the Elizabeth Line!
From Dedra Meero's debut to the monumental meeting between Syril Karn and Dedra Meero, Canary Wharf emerges as a real-world backdrop for galactic drama. While the bridge and surrounding areas serve as tangible filming locations, the buildings, including the ISB headquarters and the Coruscant Skyline, are all computer-generated.
In Andor, the ISB headquarters is a big pyramid-shaped building with ten curved structures surrounding the main one, all linked to the rest of the COMPNOR Arcology complex by see-through skybridges. Imperial stormtroopers keep watch over the grounds, and cannons are set up around the perimeter to stop any flying threats.
Canary Wharf brings the world of Star Wars closer to home, showing how movie magic can transform everyday places. Whether it's the secret corridors of Scarif or the imposing ISB headquarters, these spots let fans step into the Star Wars universe right in their own city, proving that imagination can take you anywhere, even in the middle of a busy city.
Get the latest London travel news straight to your WhatsApp
You can sign up to get the latest London travel news, live updates and fun trivia sent straight to your WhatsApp from the MyLondon team.
To get stories sent to you, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the MyLondon team.
We also treat our subscribers to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To unsubscribe, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
