Londoners are used to their city appearing in films. But one of the most surprising cameos in recent years came from an unlikely star: Canary Wharf Underground Station.
Yes, if you’ve ever felt a strange sense of déjà vu while dashing for the Jubilee line, you might be subconsciously recalling Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The 2016 film, a gritty prequel to A New Hope, transformed Canary Wharf’s sleek, modern station into the Imperial base on Scarif, and once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
The Tube’s Sci-Fi Credentials
Unlike the charming, tile-lined tunnels of the older Tube stations, Canary Wharf is all clean lines, metallic finishes, and grand, sweeping spaces. Designed by Norman Foster and opened in 1999, it looks more like the Death Star’s well-lit cousin than a place to tap your Oyster card. In fact, its futuristic aesthetic made it a prime location for Rogue One, where it stood in for the hallways of an Imperial installation.
If you watch the film closely, you’ll spot Canary Wharf’s familiar curved ceilings and wide walkways as rebel spies, led by Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), attempt to escape with the Death Star plans. But there’s something amusing about the fact that this tense, action-packed scene was filmed in one of the least thrilling locations imaginable: the London Underground.
Filming on the Jubilee Line (But Not During Rush Hour)
Londoners will be relieved to know that Rogue One didn’t cause any commuter chaos. Filming took place in the middle of the night, long after the last train had departed. The station was closed to the public, allowing stormtroopers to march up and down without getting shoved aside by disgruntled office workers trying to get home.
According to Rogue One’s director, Gareth Edwards, the cast and crew had only a few hours to shoot the scenes before morning services resumed. This tight schedule added an extra layer of urgency—not that stormtroopers are known for their efficiency in battle.
While there’s no evidence of confused Tube staff accidentally wandering into the background of a take, it’s fun to imagine a weary TfL worker asking Darth Vader if he has a valid ticket.
Why Canary Wharf?
The Star Wars franchise has a long history of using real-world locations to bring its galaxies to life. The deserts of Tunisia became Tatooine, Norway’s icy landscapes stood in for Hoth, and Dubrovnik in Croatia was transformed into the glamorous casino city of Canto Bight. But few places have ever played a Tube station in space.
Canary Wharf’s architecture was a natural fit for Rogue One’s aesthetic. The Empire’s bases are always depicted as imposing, symmetrical, and vaguely corporate—much like the financial district itself. It’s not hard to picture a few real-life Imperial middle managers sipping overpriced lattes in one of the glass towers above.
A London Landmark in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
For Londoners, spotting their city in Hollywood films is always a thrill, but there’s something extra special about seeing an everyday commute turned into an intergalactic battleground. Next time you’re passing through Canary Wharf, take a closer look at the station’s corridors and platforms. Picture stormtroopers patrolling where bankers and tired commuters now trudge.
And if you ever find yourself sprinting for a departing train, just remember—you’re not running late. You’re reenacting Rogue One.
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