When Cold War veteran Stan Hurley takes CIA black ops recruit Mitch Rapp under his wing, they receive an assignment to investigate a wave of random attacks on both military and civilian targets. After discovering a pattern of violence, Hurley and Rapp join forces with a lethal Turkish agent to stop a mysterious operative who wants to start a global war.
Director: Michael Cuesta
Production Designer: Andrew Laws
Studio: CBS Films
Starring: Dylan O’Brien & Michael Keaton
Locations: London, UK, Thailand & Italy
Location Brief: Replicating various present-day foreign country locations across London and the UK including Istanbul, Germany, Poland & Virgina USA
Collaboration Highlights: Production Designer Andrew Laws & Director Michael Cuesta
On American Assassin, I had the privilege to work closely with production designer Andrew Laws (Jack Ryan, Deepwater Horizon, Patriots Day), whose attention to immersive set environments—like the CIA operations room, high-octane powerboat decks, and sleek Blackhawk command hubs—gave the film its sharp, tactical feel.
I also collaborated with director Michael Cuesta, known for Dexter, Homeland, and L.I.E. He brought a character-first approach to this action thriller, insisting every adrenaline sequence be earned emotionally—not just visually. Cuesta emphasised the psychological weight behind Mitch Rapp’s training scenes and the tense bath-house showdown, ensuring that even the film’s most explosive moments carried dramatic truth.
Locations and Realism in Action
American Assassin ventured to real-world environments—including London, Rome, Phuket, Valletta & Birmingham, and even Istanbul stand-ins in South London. The production team’s use of authentic locales—mixing British docklands with Italian classics and Thai backdrops—drove a gritty realism that elevated the film beyond conventional action tropes.
Behind the Action
Director Cuesta brought in veteran Scott Adkins to train Dylan O’Brien in real-time fight choreography. This infused the scenes with visceral authenticity—no stunt doubles hidden behind the camera. That dedication to groundwork, combined with Cuesta’s steady pacing and editing by Conrad Buff, gave the film a grounded yet dynamic pace.
Here is a selection of my original location scout photo’s for the film:
Film Trailer:
