Netflix transformed campus into a working movie set for its upcoming film, Saturn Return, from October 3–20, recording scenes in and around campus buildings including Kent Chemical Laboratory and Regenstein Library.
Directed by Academy Award nominee Greg Kwedar, the film is a romance following two college sweethearts as they navigate “love, loss, and life’s unexpected turns” over the course of ten years. The cast features Rachel Brosnahan, Charles Melton, and Will Poulter. Other filming locations included Ida Noyes Hall, Botany Pond, the main quad, and the Psi Upsilon Omega fraternity house.
First-year Will Stewart, who served as an extra in the film, described his experience with the filming process: “It was… almost eight hours of being on set,” Stewart said. “But it was really cool to see how a movie production works and meeting all the people behind the scenes… [and] we got to talk a little bit with the directors, some of the actors.”
“Not many people get [to be in a] Netflix movie… and it just makes me appreciate watching movies so much more,” he continued. “[It’s] definitely one experience I don’t regret doing and would love to do again if I ever got the opportunity.”
Other students, like first-year Duy Le, simply observed the production. Le, who passes Ida Noyes on his walk to class every morning, said he understood the appeal of filming at the University.
“The campus is very beautiful… [with] Harry Potter architecture, so it makes sense that people would want to make a movie that takes place here,” Le said. “I’ve heard people complain about being ushered [away] when they were walking along the quad… but personally, I think it’s just a minor inconvenience.”
One anonymous Sidechat post from during the filming read, “[H]onestly the filming is an inconvenience, but in a couple years we’re all gonna be watching this movie and pointing out all the buildings they show in the movie to our friends.”
The University of Chicago has been the filming location for other movies, including The Fugitive and Divergent.
Members of the cast and crew were not able to share plot details or take interviews due to non-disclosure agreements.
