Imagine walking through Tangier’s historic medina and suddenly finding yourself surrounded by what looks like a Hollywood adventure movie.
Well, that’s exactly what’s happening in the northern Moroccan city.
Parts of Tangier’s old medina have been transformed into filming locations for The Mummy 4, the upcoming installment of the adventure franchise.
And the production isn’t exactly a small one.
According to reporting by Le360, approximately 1,240 people are expected to be involved in the filming operation.
The movie is also set to reunite familiar faces from the original films, including Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.
Tangier is becoming a Hollywood film set.
Production teams have been preparing areas around the Kasbah and Bab El Bhar, installing decorative market stalls, traditional signs and other set pieces inspired by Moroccan souks.
Some public spaces have been transformed to recreate the atmosphere of historic markets.
The changes have been visible in the streets, with equipment, filming vehicles and production crews arriving ahead of the shoot.
The latest reporting scheduled filming to begin on Monday, October 26, although that doesn’t independently confirm that cameras had started rolling at publication time.
Security and local authorities have also been involved in coordinating access and movement around the filming locations.
The production is expected to involve several other Moroccan destinations, including locations in the southeast of the country.
For Tangier, the project represents another opportunity to showcase Moroccan architecture and landscapes through an international film.
Morocco has a long history of hosting major productions, with cities, deserts and historic sites frequently appearing in international cinema.
But the most interesting part for local residents might be seeing familiar streets transformed into something completely different.
And for fans who grew up watching Brendan Fraser fight ancient supernatural creatures, there’s a particular sense of nostalgia surrounding the return of The Mummy.
This time, the adventure is bringing Hollywood directly into Tangier’s medina.
