Where did they film the Ewok movies?


Star Wars stories

I've never seen anyone post pictures or talk much about the filming locations used in the Star Wars Ewok Adventures TV movies. The area seen in them definitely looks like the hills and forests around Marin County and that's what the filming location is listed as in IMDB. It makes sense that they wouldn't stray too far away from Skywalker Ranch also since they would have had a limited budget with a made for television movie.

Up until now, I haven't given it much thought, but a recent article I stumbled upon included a familiar looking rock in the background. In fact, it was Big Rock Ranch, directly next to Skywalker Ranch. You can even go for a hike on a trail that starts there. I wonder how many other recognizable Ewok movie locations can be seen along the trail? If I am ever in the area again, I'll definitely try going on a hike in the area.

Marin County Parks & Open Space
Bay Nature Institute
Big Rock in Novato
Big Rock Ridge
Map of the Lucas Valley Open Space Preserve

Ewok Adentures

The movies are still available and were rereleased a few years ago (with a few minor changes). I don't have a copy myself but was able to take some screenshots from the versions posted on YouTube. If anyone happens to be in Marin County in the future, hopefully the screenshots will help in tracking down any other locations seen in the movies and I'd love to see some pictures if you do go so be sure to come back and share them here. Caravan of Courage (aka The Ewok Adventure) and The Battle for Endor are both on YouTube in pretty good quality and you can see them right here on the site.

 

image image Eric Walker (aka Mace Towani) recently started a Kickstarter project called "Growing Up on Skywalker Ranch" to help raise money to release a Star Wars book detailing his time on Skywalker Ranch. The project looks great and I would encourage everyone to show their support and pledge a little if you can. The project will be running until Friday, August 5th 2011. There are some really great incentives for the different pledge levels also like copies of the book, autographed pictures, photographs taken on the movie set and while touring ILM and Skywalker Ranch, DVD video of footage from "The Making of The Ewok Adventure", an invitation to the Book Release Party, and you can even get a credit in the book at the highest pledge level.
 
image "Growing Up on Skywalker Ranch" will chronicle my adventures in the Star Wars universe playing the leading role of Mace Towani in George Lucas' "Star Wars" spin off movie "The Ewok Adventure" and "Ewoks: The Battle for Endor". image

 

I contacted Eric Walker to ask if he could share anything relating to where and how to get to the locations seen in the 2 Ewok Adventures movies. He wrote back right away with lots of great info that I listed below. It should definitely be possible to find some of the locations and line up some of the shots with all of this. There is also an interesting interview with him that I came across that you can read here.

 

Roy's Redwoods:
  • The main scene with the Endor moon in it and Mace and Cindel running away was filmed there.
  • Also was Wicket's Family hut on the ground floor.
  • Ext. of the Star Cruiser.
  • Kaink's Cluster. A scene where Cindel turns the lizard into a mouse after Mace drops it.
  • The scene were mace and Cindel stop to rest before being chased by the Gorax pet Borra.

 

San Geronimo Golf Course and Archery Range:
  • It was used for scenes like where Mace sticks his hand in the tree with the monster.
  • Also the start of the Caravan when we left, and some other scenes that were filmed as we made our way out of the forest.

 

Skywalker Ranch:
  • Magic Pond scene where Mace gets stuck.
  • More Caravan footage.
  • Pulga Horse Chase. When Wicket snaps the tree and spooks the Pulga Horse with Cindel stuck in it.
  • Hang Glider scene with Deej and Wicket before he takes off to look for his children.
  • Deleted Scene - Gulping Flower Glade.

 

Basalt Rock Quarry in San Rafael:
  • Outside of the Gorax Castle.
  • Traveling across the Desert.
  • Wicket's brothers Weeche (Original name was Wooly) and Widdle repelling on the rock and falling at the start of the movie after their father Deej throws them a line from his hang glider.
  • The Gorax castle was filmed at the Basalt Rock Quarry.

 

Other locations were of course at ILM on the main stage and Cookie Bay the smaller B stage. That was located on Kerner Ave in San Rafael.

 
Currently 5.00 / 5 (1 vote)

Share It!

Comments are closed
This is really cool, I've been trying to find more about these locations forever. I was the one who originally asked about it on the forum. I'd really like to get back to the area and do some recon for specific landmarks. On a further note - do you think we'll ever get to see the "making of" video? Thanks for posting!
Glad to hear that you liked the article. It would be fun to go looking for the filming locations and with everything done locally around Marin county it should be possible to find a bunch of them. If you sign up for the Kickstarter project running right now, everyone who pledges $50 or more will get a copy of the DVD. And maybe there will be other opportunities to get it, who knows.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ericwalker/star-wars-book-growing-up-on-skywalker-ranch