Carry-On, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, introduces viewers to an exhilarating narrative centered around Taron Egerton, who plays a young TSA agent caught in a perilous situation with a sinister traveler portrayed by Jason Bateman. The film premiered on Netflix on December 13, showcasing an action-packed storyline set against the backdrop of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during its busiest operational day.
In an insightful conversation with Tudum, Collet-Serra elaborated on the film’s unique production approach, which utilized the older terminal of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport as a stand-in for LAX. This strategic choice not only provided a creative space for the film’s action sequences but also allowed the production team to access areas typically restricted to regular airport passengers. Below are the director’s reflections on this innovative filming method:
We took over the old MSY [Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport] in New Orleans and redesigned/decorated it to look like LAX. It was such a thrill to have the whole space at our disposal and be able to explore all these areas of an airport that we don’t normally get to see as passengers.
The Significance of Carry-On’s Filming Location
Why Filming the Night at LAX Was Not Feasible
As the primary international airport serving Los Angeles and its surrounding Hollywood studios, LAX has appeared in numerous films and television productions over the years. Notably, LAX frequently doubles for other global airports in various productions. An example of this is found in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, which used LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal as a stand-in for Gardermoen Airport in Oslo.
The production needs of Carry-On would have placed excessive demands on LAX’s operational flow, making it impractical to film on-site at a working airport. By utilizing a defunct airport terminal, Collet-Serra’s team was granted the necessary freedom to depict the inner workings of airport operations authentically and without disrupting real-world activities.
Interestingly, this film’s production contrasts with that of Die Hard 2, where director Renny Harlin sought to capture the essence of Washington Dulles International Airport but faced challenges that required multiple filming locations, including Kincheloe Air Force Base, LAX, sound stages, and matte paintings.
Perspective on MSY as LAX’s Substitute
The Authenticity Derived from a Real-World Location
While keen-eyed viewers may notice some discrepancies between the old MSY terminal and LAX, for the majority, the transition is nearly seamless. The decision to film in an actual airport setting, liberated from real-time passenger operations, significantly benefited the production. This approach added an air of authenticity that is crucial for a film that is heavily entwined with its airport theme.
Source: Tudum
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