Engaging the World. Simon Fraser University was founded in 1965 and now has campuses in Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver.
The main Burnaby campus which spans over 400 acres is nestled atop picturesque Burnaby Mountain. It’s home to three libraries, archives, museums, galleries and residences making it a perfect community for Hollywood movie productions.
Here are a number of movies and TV shows that you may not know were filmed on the SFU campus.
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Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023 TV Show)
The new “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” TV series filmed several scenes at Simon Fraser University (SFU). The Academic Quadrangle (AQ) was featured in a water fountain scene.
The AQ’s clean, concrete lines and open spaces give it a striking resemblance to a contemporary version of ancient Greek architecture, which made it a fitting backdrop for scenes involving demigods training and interacting.
The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)
The sci-fi remake of the 1951 classic, The Day The Earth Stood Still, shot in studio and at various locations around British Columbia including: Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley, Surrey and White Rock. There was also some secondary filming in LA, New York City and Sydney. The movie about an alien visitor to Earth stars Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates, John Cleese, Kyle Chandler, Robert Knepper and Jaden Smith.
SFU doubled as Ft. Linwood Military Academy in the movie and served as one of the main settings. It used Terry Fox Field as a landing area and entrance; Convocation Mall as a processing space; Lorne Davies Complex as a basketball court turned military facility and W.A.C Bennett Library as a helicopter landing.
The movie used other local spots like University of British Columbia as a the Command Centre; Deer Lake Park as a cemetery; Boundary Bay Regional Airport as a military air base; and a McDonald’s in Coquitlam as a McDonald’s.
Agent Cody Banks (2003)
The action, adventure and comedy Agent Cody Banks starring Frankie Muniz and Hilary Duff filmed in studio and at multiple locations around Vancouver. It turned the SFU campus into CIA Headquarters during production in summer 2002. It used three spots around campus including Academic Quadrangle, a former gas station and Transportation Centre.
The movie also shot around Vancouver, Surrey, West Vancouver and North Vancouver. It used locations like UBC’s Robson Square Campus and Kitsliano Beach.
Underworld: Awakening (2012)
The action fantasy/horror Underworld: Awakening starring Kate Beckinsale filmed in Hollywood North during 2011 and was released in 3D the following year. The mostly Burnaby-shot movie used a studio and the SFU campus. It also used Downtown Vancouver for street scenes and chases. Seymour Falls Dam in North Vancouver was used as the Vampire Base.
SFU doubled as the Antigen Headquarters using Convocation Mall as a courtyard; W.A.C Bennett Library as the headquarters; and Transportation Centre as a walkway.
The movie is the third installment in the Underworld franchise about a badass vampire who kills werewolves.
The 6th Day (2000)
Body builder turned Hollywood actor turned ‘Governator’ Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in action mystery/sci-fi movie The 6th Day. It used multiple locations around Vancouer including BC Place Stadium, Vancouver Public Library, International Village, Pacific Centre, GM Place (now Rogers Arena), Cleveland Dam and Robert A. McMath Secondary School in Richmond.
SFU doubled as The Hopkins/Leung Conference and Research Centre for the movie. It used the Academic Quadrangle and Convocation Mall.
Antitrust (2001)
The 2001 thriller Antitrust stars Ryan Phillippe, Tim Robbins, Rachael Leigh Cook and Claire Forlani.
It used UBC as the tech company NURV headquarters while using SFU for exterior shots. It also shot at Stanley Park.
Personal Effects(2009)
David Hollander, creator of TV series The Guardian, wrote and directed drama Personal Effects. It stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Ashton Kutcher and Kathy Bates. It shot at Templeton Secondary School and at SFU’s Halpern Centre which doubled as a courtroom.
Other Movies & TV Shows Filmed at SFU
A number of other movies shot around Simon Fraser University’s main campus in Burnaby like:
- Sci-fi horror sequel The Fly II (1989)
- Television movie I Still Dream of Jeannie (1991)
- American spy film Spy Game (2001) starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt
- Canadian drama My Life Without Me (2003) starring Sarah Polley, Scott Speedman and Mark Ruffalo.
TV Shows
- Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
- The X-Files (1993-2018)
- Arrow (2012-2020)
- Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007)
- The 4400 (2004-2007)
- Smallville (2001-2011)
- The Flash (2014-Present)
- The Good Wife (2009)
- iZombie (2015-2019)
Simon Fraser University Surrey Campus
A number of movies have also been shot at the Simon Fraser University Surrey campus located in the Central City area.
Movies shot there include:
- I, Robot (2004) starring Will Smith
- Catwoman (2004) starring Halle Berry
- Chaos (2005) starring Jason Statham, Ryan Phillippe and Wesley Snipes
- Fantastic Four (2005).
SFU’s unique and adaptable architectural style has made it a go-to location for filmmakers seeking modern, futuristic, or institutional settings.
Its blend of concrete structures, open plazas, and versatile interiors allows it to fit seamlessly into a variety of genres and narratives
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