The force is strong in Jordan: Wadi Rum as ‘Jedha’ moon in new Star Wars film

Published December 25th, 2016 - 08:00 GMT
Jordan's Wadi Rum desert looks a little different with an Empire spaceship hovering above the mountains. (Lucasfilm)
Jordan's Wadi Rum desert looks a little different with an Empire spaceship hovering above the mountains. (Lucasfilm)

Most people visit Wadi Rum on camel or ATV and sleep in Bedouin camps, but Star Wars took it to a new level.

"Jedha" - aka Wadi Rum, southern Jordan's sand desert - is the main city on a moon in the newest Star Wars film, Rogue One.

From Lawrence of Arabia to Indiana Jones to The Martian, this is far from the first time Jordan's otherworldly landscape has starred in blockbusters.

And it's not the first time that Star Wars has turned to the Middle East for set locations: 2015's Star Wars reboot was partially filmed in the UAE, and the original Star Wars was filmed in Tunisia. 

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