When Ridley Scott set out to create the harsh beauty of The Martian (2015), he found his Mars not in the deserts of Arizona or Jordan—but in Hungary. With remarkable success, the production used the country as a double for both the red planet and NASA, showcasing the potential of Hungary’s film infrastructure.
Turning Etyek into the Red Planet
The production was based at Korda Studios, located in the village of Etyek, about 25 kilometers west of Budapest. On Europe’s largest soundstage, the crew recreated an expansive Martian landscape by hauling in 4,000 tons of Hungarian soil to replicate the dusty surface of Mars. The set was enclosed by a massive green screen, which was later replaced with panoramic views of Jordan’s Wadi Rum desert in post-production.
This controlled indoor environment was a major asset. Ridley Scott even simulated a full-scale sandstorm on the indoor set, using industrial fans to blast actors with dust over several days. Korda’s capabilities also allowed the team to build a full-scale Mars habitat and spacecraft interiors on site—an achievement Hungarian filmmakers proudly consider a milestone for their local industry.
Budapest Doubles as NASA
Back on Earth, Budapest itself stepped in as a stand-in for NASA. The production chose the sleek glass structure known as “The Whale” (Bálna) on the banks of the Danube to represent NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “It was a godsend,” said production designer Arthur Max, praising the building’s cavernous interior for saving the costs of constructing an entirely new set.
The team also utilized Hungexpo, a convention complex, for additional interior scenes. The seamless adaptability of Hungary’s locations reinforced the country’s appeal. As producer Mark Huffam explained, although deserts in Australia were initially considered, filming in Hungary ultimately gave the team more control—allowing for a perfect blend of studio-built sets and real desert imagery.
A Milestone for Hungarian Film Production
Nearly all of the film’s sets—from the Martian base to mission control—were built by local Hungarian crews in Etyek. Hungarian professionals contributed across departments, from construction to lighting to post-production. The success of The Martian elevated Hungary’s global reputation as a film production hub.
As Attila Csizmadia of Korda Studios recalled, “The desert, the life-size spaceship, and the Martian base were all built here… this project had a real impact on the requests we’ve been receiving from international productions.” In the years since, Hungary has only deepened its role as a go-to destination for high-concept filmmaking.
In the end, The Martian didn’t just imagine life on another planet—it proved that, with the right facilities and talent, even Mars can be built on Hungarian soil.
