The new "Star Wars" movie, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" comes out December 16.
The film's climactic battle between the Empire and the rebellion takes place on Scarif, a paradise-like world that acts as a stronghold for the dark side. If the location looks familiar, it's because director Gareth Edwards was heavily inspired by the tourist destination of Maldives.
While production couldn’t blow up Maldives on film, the location served as inspiration for Scarif along with other beaches in South Africa. Maldives was recreated on an almost eight-acre set in England’s Bovingdon Airfield where 2,000 tons of sand and over 60 palm trees were brought in to bring the scene to life.
Keep scrolling to see scenes filmed for the movie contrasted with travel photos from the Maldives.
The Maldives is a collection of 26 coral atolls that sit in the Indian Ocean.
The islands are known for crystal blue waters and sandy beaches. Here's how it looks in one "Rogue One" scene.
The Maldives is a popular honeymoon spot thanks to its incredibly bright white-sand beaches ...
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