News Summary
San Diego recently hosted the filming of Leonardo DiCaprio’s action-comedy-thriller, ‘One Battle After Another,’ during the Comic-Con convention. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film features a star-studded cast and tackles important issues, including immigration. Key locations like the Otay Mesa area and The Westgate Hotel were extensively used, while local businesses benefited from the production. The community’s involvement included hotel staff acting as extras, demonstrating the collaborative spirit behind the film’s making.
San Diego recently played host to the filming of Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest film, “One Battle After Another,” which took place during the 2024 Comic-Con convention. The action-comedy-thriller, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, runs for two hours and 50 minutes, showcasing a star-studded cast including Benicio Del Toro, Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, and Sean Penn. The film’s plot revolves around a “washed-up revolutionary” and his self-reliant daughter, Willa, and it features scenes that address pressing issues, including the Otay Mesa Immigration Detention Center.
Filming occurred in multiple San Diego locations, with the Otay Mesa area serving as a significant backdrop where a major set was constructed for three weeks. This location was pivotal as it includes dramatic scenes depicting the French 75 aiding detained migrants in their escape. The film also incorporates footage from various locations including Sacramento, Eureka, and El Paso, interspersed throughout its narrative.
Discussions about filming in San Diego began approximately two years prior to the start of production. Principal photography kicked off in March 2024 at The Westgate Hotel, focusing on a critical scene featuring Sean Penn’s character, Col. Steven J. Lockjaw. Key areas of The Westgate Hotel were utilized, including the grand staircase, governor’s suite, garage, lower-level lobby, and several back-of-house areas, allowing the film crew to capture the vibrant atmosphere of the historic site.
The filming process generated excitement among hotel staff, who also participated as extras in some scenes, enhancing the community’s involvement in the production. Additional shooting locations across San Diego encompassed East Village, Borrego Springs, Lower Otay Reservoir, Otay Open Space Preserve, Agua Caliente, and Imperial Beach. Warner Bros. invested around $3.4 million in local production costs, supporting local businesses for accommodations and supplies, such as grocery and hardware stores in the South Bay area.
Action sequences, including car chase scenes, were filmed on select county roads, with the Lower Otay Reservoir serving as a base camp for the film crew. The production relied on coordination among city, county, and federal officials to ensure compliance with regulations and effective traffic management during shooting days.
Throughout the filmmaking process, local actor Robert Tunstall opened Stout Public House at 1 a.m. to cater to the cast and crew, which included notable figures like DiCaprio and Anderson. Tunstall noted the successful camaraderie shared over drinks, exemplifying the community spirit that accompanied the film’s production.
The filming schedule was characterized by unconventional hours dictated by the director’s spontaneous decisions regarding the selection of filming locations. This approach reflects a distinct creative process that engages the surrounding community while bringing significant cinematic projects to life in San Diego.
“One Battle After Another” showcases not only a compelling story but also brings attention to relevant societal themes and local San Diego culture, marking an important event for the city and its residents.
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Additional Resources
- Variety: Mark Hamill to Receive Award at San Diego Film Festival
- Wikipedia: San Diego
- CBS8: 2025 San Diego International Film Festival Dates
- Google Search: San Diego International Film Festival
- San Diego Union-Tribune: One Battle After Another Filming Locations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego Film
- Fox5 San Diego: New Movie Filmed in San Diego
- Google News: Leo DiCaprio movie One Battle After Another
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
