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Canary Islands becomes ‘Hollywood of Europe’ with blockbusters Star Wars and Fast & Furious filmed there

FORGET Hollywood - film-enthusiasts should look for a holiday in Spain, with the Canary Islands becoming more popular with directors for shooting blockbuster movies.

Star Wars, Jason Bourne and Fast & Furious 6 have all been filmed across the islands in recent years, due to the diverse landscape.

The Canary Islands are now favoured with film studios for its stunning landscape
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The Canary Islands are now favoured with film studios for its stunning landscapeCredit: Getty - Contributor

Matt Damon, who plays Jason Bourne, has been seen filming in on Tenerife, while Solo: A Star Wars Story and the new Wonder Woman have used Fuerteventura for filming.

Others include the new Marvel The Eternals, currently in production, as well as the Netflix series The Witcher.

According to , film productions have flocked to the islands due to the perks offered by the islands, compared to Hollywood.

These range from a 45-50 per cent tax rebate on expenditures, as well as new companies having reduced corporate tax of four per cent.

For the first €1m spent, the islands have increased the rebate from 40 per cent to 50 per cent, while additional spend is at 45 per cent, the "best filming tax incentive in the world”, according to Lorena Martin, project manager at Canary Islands Film.

Fast & Furious 6 was filmed on the Canary Islands
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Fast & Furious 6 was filmed on the Canary IslandsCredit: Alamy
Solo: A Star Wars Story was also filmed across the islands
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Solo: A Star Wars Story was also filmed across the islandsCredit: Alamy
Cheaper costs and range of landscapes entice movie studios
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Cheaper costs and range of landscapes entice movie studiosCredit: Disney
Matt Damon also filmed across the islands for Jason Bourne
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Matt Damon also filmed across the islands for Jason BourneCredit: Alamy
Tenerife and Lanzarote are some of the most beautiful islands along with Gran Canaria
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Tenerife and Lanzarote are some of the most beautiful islands along with Gran CanariaCredit: Alamy
They have been called the Hollywood of Europe as more investment is added to the Spanish islands
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They have been called the Hollywood of Europe as more investment is added to the Spanish islandsCredit: Alamy

Pamela Rolfe, who covers the film industry in Spain for The Hollywood Reporter, said: "The Canary Islands have had a long-term strategy of putting themselves on the map in the film industry."

“They were very savvy about becoming the place for international buyers to see Spanish films back in the early and mid 2000s, so there’s been a policy of attracting international attention for a while."

A new 21,000sqm film studio is even opening next year on Gran Canaria, further cementing their movie filming popularity.

She added: “I think it could be the Hollywood of Europe."

Here are the islands to head to for the landscapes featured in some of the big blockbusters.

Tenerife 

  • Clash of the Titans
  • Fast & Furious 6
  • Planet of the Apes (1968)
  • Jason Bourne

Gran Canaria

  • Wonderful Life
  • Fast & Furious 6
  • Allied
  • The Witcher

Fuerteventura

  • Wonder Woman 1984
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story 
  • The Dictator
  • The Eternals (in production)
  • Exodus

Mamma Mia fans should head to Greece, as it was filmed on the island of Skopelos.

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The UK is also used for a number of well-known films and TV shows, including Christmas classic The Holiday, TV series Endeavour and the new Emma film.

The new Secret Garden film was shot in a number of locations from Wales to Cornwall.

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