Excel London is known worldwide as a hub for exhibitions, conferences, and large-scale events. But behind the scenes, it has quietly transformed into one of the capital’s most sought-after filming locations. From blockbuster action scenes to award-winning TV dramas, the venue’s vast, flexible spaces have hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment. Here’s a closer look at when exhibitions meet fame, right on the Excel stage.

With over 1m square feet of flexible space, soaring 10-metre ceilings, and drive-in access, Excel London offers filmmakers a rare combination of scale and versatility. The venue’s high-spec rigging, secure compound access, production offices, and 10Gb broadband make it as plug-and-play as a purpose-built studio lot.

Tom Cruise tears through in Mission: Impossible:Rogue Nation

In one of the film’s most thrilling car chases, Excel’s underground car park was transformed into a gritty urban escape route. The sequence showcased the venue’s raw industrial charm, fitting perfectly with Ethan Hunt’s high-speed mission.

A Batmobile debut in Batman Begins

Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins features an iconic scene where Bruce Wayne test-drives the Tumbler in a warehouse-style setting. That location? Excel London, whose industrial interiors provided the perfect backdrop for Gotham’s latest high-tech vehicle.

 The Avengers assemble at Excel

The sleek interiors of the Avengers’ new HQ in Age of Ultron were partly filmed at Excel. The venue’s cavernous halls doubled as the superhero team’s command centre, hosting epic showdowns and strategic planning alike.

Family favourites: Paddington 2

Excel’s versatile spaces helped bring to life the warm, colourful world of Paddington 2. The venue was transformed to support the film’s charming and richly detailed scenes.

Dark futures & gritty drama: Black Mirror, Silent Witness, Stan Lee’s Lucky Man

TV productions such as Black Mirror and Silent Witness have also found a perfect filming home at Excel, using its modern and adaptable interiors to create compelling, immersive environments.

What started as a modest filming income (£25,000/year) has ballooned to over £3m annually during the pandemic. Excel’s pivot to embrace filming alongside exhibitions has turned it into a vital creative and economic asset.

Excel London’s unique combination of scale, infrastructure, and flexibility has made it a star in its own right. When exhibition venues meet fame, they don’t just host events, they create cinematic history.