Deserted Film Sets Frozen in Hollywood History

24. "Zero Dark Thirty" Bin Laden Compound Set, Jordan: Recreating History

For Kathryn Bigelow’s 2012 thriller "Zero Dark Thirty," a detailed, full-scale replica of Osama bin Laden's Abbottabad compound was meticulously constructed in Jordan. This crucial set allowed for the dramatic recreation of the raid. After filming concluded, the future of such a specific and sensitive structure was uncertain. While often dismantled for security or practicality, any remaining traces or even the cleared site itself would hold a unique place in modern film history, representing the recreation of a pivotal real-world event.