Despite being set in Egypt, the blockbuster film 'The Mummy' was primarily filmed in Morocco, utilizing Marrakech and the Sahara Desert to recreate 1920s Cairo and Hamunaptra.
The 1999 adventure classic "The Mummy," starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, is a prime example of Morocco standing in for other locations. While the story is set in Egypt, political instability there at the time led the production to film primarily in Morocco.
**Marrakech as 1920s Cairo:**
The bustling streets and souks of Marrakech stood in for 1920s Cairo. The famous Djemaa el-Fnaa square and local architecture provided an authentic backdrop for the film's urban scenes.
**The Sahara Desert:**
The vast dunes of Merzouga and the Erfoud region were used to depict the journey to the lost city of Hamunaptra. The production crew faced intense heat, sandstorms, and logistical challenges to capture the sweeping desert vistas that defined the movie's epic scale.
**Gara Medouar:**
A distinctive horseshoe-shaped geological formation near Erfoud, known as Gara Medouar, served as the setting for the City of the Dead. This location has since become a popular spot for film tourists and other productions, including the James Bond film "Spectre."