Hollywood in Bavaria: 5 Voices from Penzing Studios

Hollywood stars like Nicole Kidman and Pierce Brosnan have already filmed here. One of Europe’s most modern film studios is being built on a former air force base southwest of Munich: Penzing Studios. What’s it like to make a movie here? Voices from the studios.

Aug 13, 2026 1 min. reading time

The great thing about Penzing is the spirit of something new. In the Art Department, we make everything you see on camera: props, fake credit cards, and fake police IDs. The other day, we used a 3D printer to make fake asphalt for a car commercial. It was so sturdy that a car could drive over it. It’s crazy what’s possible here.

Eva Hartmann, graphic designer in the graphics and printing department at Penzing Studios

A Boeing 747 could theoretically land on the runway at the former air force base.

Image: Snohetta

In the Hyperbowl, we simulate three-dimensional worlds that are so realistic that the actors feel as if they’re actually standing there. In *Nine Perfect Strangers*, Nicole Kidman and Mark Strong walk through a snowy landscape; in reality, they were standing in our studio, and the frozen lake into which Nicole Kidman jumps was actually a water tank filled with water at 28 degrees. It’s the perfect illusion.

Elfi Kerscher, Director of Business Development at the virtual production studio Hyperbowl

Over 80 productions have been filmed at the Hyperbowl. Mercedes, Audi, and BMW have been here. And the Scorpions.

Filming locations throughout Bavaria are right on our doorstep. Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Italy are also within easy reach. This, along with the available technology and equipment, makes Penzing particularly attractive. For example, on Paul Greengrass’s medieval film *The Rage*, we were able to combine the advantages of the studio complex with real filming locations in the surrounding area. Where else can you find a place where you can either virtually simulate a castle in the Hyperbowl or rent one just around the corner?

Philipp Kreuzer, Producer

There are 40,000 m² of studio and production space in Penzing. That’s equivalent to 2 million VHS tapes laid out on the floor.

A former colleague from the film industry called me: “Ruth, I could really use your help.” That was for *Nine Perfect Strangers*, and it ended up lasting half a year. During that time, I sewed everything for the production—from curtains to bed sheets and pillowcases. Since then, production teams have been calling me from time to time, and I’m happy to be able to work in film. Recently, for *The Rage*, I sewed a gigantic roof for a Viking ship in just two days. We cut it to size in my neighbor’s attic because it wouldn’t have fit anywhere else—it was wonderful.

Ruth Hecking, seamstress from Landsberg am Lech

A goblin has also been filming in Penzing. He likes to rhyme, hates cats, and goes by the name Pumuckl.

You can find more stories about the Bavarian video industry here!

About two and a half years ago, we founded our own set design company. It’s a venture we’ve been pursuing with great passion ever since. For the production of the mountaineering film “Cliffhanger 2,” we traveled to the Dolomites to capture the characteristic rock structures in as much detail as possible using silicone molds. Based on this, we then built a rock wall in a studio in Penzing: nearly 900 square meters in size and weighing a total of about 150 metric tons. A project of this magnitude remains something very special, even for us.

Jörn Siegele, Managing Director of Penzing Studios

Images: Hyperbowl

Bannerbild: Beppe Conti

About the author

Thorsten Kolle

Hollywood in Bavaria: 5 Voices from Penzing Studios

You may also be interested in

Want to know more about media innovations at the location?

Want to know more about media innovations at the location?