Have you seen the Avengers: Infinity War movie? In case you have not, minor spoiler ahead. At the end of the movie, Thanos, played by Josh Brolin, is in a small nipa hut as he watches the sunset. In the scene, stairs of rice paddies can be seen which was confirmed to be the world-renowned Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao.
This, however, is not the first time the Philippines was used as a set in an American film.
Here are 5 US movies with scenes that were shot in the Philippines!
1. The Bourne Legacy (2012)
Back in 2012, the fourth installment of the Jason Bourne novel series was shot in the streets of Manila. In the film, Aaron Cross played by Jeremy Renner, and Dr. Marta Shearing played by Rachel Weisz, are in search of a virus needed to maintain Cross’ genetically enhanced IQ. The two, however, were chased by assassins whose goal is to kill them. They ran the streets of Manila to be able to escape.
In an interview with Inquirer, veteran actor Renner said the experience in the Philippines is a luxury.
“Wow, it was a really great experience,” Renner said while calling Filipinos ‘welcoming and loving.’
2. Thirteen Days (2000)
Thirteen Days is a 2000 movie which stars Bruce Greenwood, Steven Culp, and Stephanie Romanov about the event that almost started a third world war: the Cuban Missile Crisis. the scenes in the film that were supposed to be in Cuba were shot in the Philippines.
The production staff of the film used Clark Air Base in Pampanga as the movie’s air base setting. Moreover, the 1960’s F-8, an aircraft formerly used by the Philippine Air Force, was also featured in the film.
3. Platoon (1986)
Platoon and Born on the Fourth of July are the first and second installments of the trilogy film about the Vietnam War, which is directed by Oliver Stone, a Vietnam war veteran himself.
Platoon, which featured Willem Defoe, Tom Berenger, and a young Charlie Sheen, was supposed to film in Vietnam, however, due to the tension between US and Vietnam during the time of production, the producers decided to find a new location. Scenes were filmed in Cavite, Laguna particularly in Mt. Makiling, and Villamor Air Base in Manila. The film also had one of the most iconic death scenes in movie.
4. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Meanwhile, Born on the Fourth of July, a young Tom Cruise visited the Philippines for the shooting of the film. Vigan was primarily the setting of the action scenes in the film in replacement to Mexico and Vietnam. Some scenes were also shot in Laoag and Paoay.
5. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Arguably one of the most iconic war films to ever hit theaters, this 1979 film starring Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Laurence Fishburne, and Harrison Ford faced several struggles during filming, including a typhoon that hit the Philippines that destroyed many equipment in the set. The film also had an actor that nearly died due to heart attack.
Despite the struggles, there are sweet stories the actors took home with them. Francis Ford Coppola’s daughter, Sofia, was able to memorize the country’s national anthem because of their long stay in the Philippines.
