What Do Supergirl, Rogue One, and Iceland Have in Common?

An otherworldly backdrop—and a reason to extend your Atlas Digital Summit trip.

Before you book your flight home from Atlas Digital Summit, leave a little room for adventure.

Iceland has helped filmmakers bring distant worlds to life, including those in Supergirl and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. For summit attendees, that creates an irresistible opportunity: add a few days to your trip and explore the landscapes you’ve seen on screen.

Pack your hiking boots alongside your laptop. Your itinerary is about to get more interesting.

According to Guide to Iceland’s movie-location guide, Supergirl filmed in South Iceland, including Reynisfjara black sand beach. Rogue One used Mýrdalssandur, near Vík, to portray Lah’mu—the planet where young Jyn Erso lives with her family at the beginning of the film.

Two cinematic universes. One remarkable stretch of Iceland.

At Reynisfjara, black volcanic sand, basalt formations, and offshore sea stacks create a landscape that rewards simply standing still and looking. Near Vík, roughly two and a half hours from Reykjavík in good conditions, it makes a compelling stop on a South Coast adventure. The ocean here deserves respect: stay well back from the water and follow all warning lights and closures. Plan your Reynisfjara visit.

For Star Wars fans, Mýrdalssandur adds another reason to explore the region. Those dark plains and the surrounding headlands helped give Rogue One its striking opening. You don’t need a spacecraft to appreciate the setting; you do need time to take it in. Explore the film’s Iceland locations.

And the movie connections keep coming. Skógafoss appears in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Thor: The Dark World, while Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon features in Die Another Day and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Choose your favorite film and let it inspire a stop along the way. See the full filming-location guide.

How much adventure should you add? Start with the time you can comfortably spare.

• One extra day: Consider a guided South Coast outing from Reykjavík. Pick a manageable itinerary with time to enjoy each stop.
• Two extra days: Build an overnight stay around Vík. Give yourself room for waterfalls, coastal views, a leisurely dinner, and a morning that doesn’t begin with a rush back.
• Three or more days: Consider extending farther east toward Jökulsárlón, with overnight stops and a return plan that suits the season and your flight.

Treat these as starting points. Before booking, check the distances, daylight, and current conditions for your travel dates. SafeTravel provides local travel alerts and planning advice.

Arriving early gives you a chance to settle into Iceland before the summit begins. Staying afterward gives you space to reflect on the conversations you’ve had—and perhaps continue them with a few new connections over a shared road trip.

Make the invitation before you travel: “Anyone staying an extra day?” might be the beginning of your favorite part of the week.

Come to Atlas Digital Summit with questions, ideas, and room in your calendar. Then head out into the landscapes that inspired filmmakers to imagine other worlds.

Your own Iceland story deserves a few extra scenes.