Netflix sci-fi drama Spaceman was filmed primarily in purpose-built sets to evoke the vast loneliness of space and the claustrophobic interior of a spacecraft. However, some location shooting was used for earthbound establishing shots. The movie, which stars Adam Sandler and Carey Mulligan, was also rated R by the Motion Picture Association, confusing those used to a softer approach from Sandler.
Filming Locations Explained
New York City
Principal photography would begin in New York in April 2021, but there are not a lot of scenes filmed in the usual locations, as most of the action takes place in the expanse of space. The few establishing earthbound shots are quite generic, and the locations used were secondary in comparison to the sets required for the film. The movie was filmed with the support of the New York State Governor’s Office of Motion Pictures and Television Development.
Prague, Czech Republic
Filming would move to Prague on July 1st, 2021. It is most likely that the external scenes in more woodland areas and the final scene in the barren wilderness when Adam Sandler is on the phone were filmed in and around the Czech Republic. The end credits reveal the full details of the crew here.
The production of the film has been supported by the Czech Republic through the State Fund of Cinematography from the film incentive program.
Los Angeles
There was also some additional photography done in Los Angeles, but it is difficult to pinpoint the exact nature of these shots. Spaceman was filmed at the Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, California.
Production Timeline
It took around four years to bring Spaceman to fruition. Here’s a brief timetable of the production:
- In October of 2020, it was announced that production would start on the film.
- Carey Mulligan would be announced as a cast member in April 2021, along with Paul Dano and Kunal Nayyar.
- Also in April 2021, principal photography would begin in New York.
- Filming would move to Prague and wrapped on July 1st, 2021.
- Spaceman premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 21, 2024.
- The movie received a limited theatrical release on February 23, 2024.
- Spaceman released globally on Netflix on March 1, 2024.
Spaceman is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for strong language, mature themes, limited violence, mild sexual content, and alcohol use. There is also a spider-like alien that might cause you some anxiety if you have a thing about arachnids, especially after Madame Web.
It’s worth noting that the film has gained its R rating almost entirely on the basis of the language used.
There is a list of names on the production side of things including Lia Buman, Timothy Headington, Michael Parets, Peter Kiernan and Reid Carolin, but notably Channing Tatum is also credited as a producer.
Spaceman was directed by Johan Renck, a Swedish filmmaker most known for his work on music videos until he went on to make the exceptioal miniseries Chernobyl in 2019. He has recently been linked to an adaptation of the sci fi classic Day of the Triffids.
What book was Spaceman based on?
The film is based on the novel Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar. The book is told from the point of view of Jakub Prochazka, who is the first independant Czech Republic cosmonaut, and that’s one of the reasons they filmed most of the movie there.
