Eerie abandoned set from huge film found buried in English countryside

Urban explorers have discovered an abandoned film set in a Derbyshire mine that is believed to have been used for Marvel's Fantastic Four and Mission: Impossible

18:00, Sat, Jan 31, 2026

Other films are said to have been shot here

Other films are said to have been shot here (Image: / SWNS)

Urban explorers are well accustomed to encountering eerie or surprising discoveries.

Two companions – who have requested anonymity – were investigating the Middleton mine in the Derbyshire Dales when they stumbled upon something utterly "unbelievable": a deserted film set.

Complete with a vintage-style blue and white American coach, a platform, vehicle hoist, touring caravan and illumination blueprint, they suspect the set was utilised for the 2025 Marvel production The Fantastic Four: First Steps, alongside Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning.

The pair explained that "two people who helped support the staff and actors" from the production had shared these particulars with them.

One explained: "I usually like to find interesting artefacts, but I've not found a film set before.

The film was released late last year

The film was released late last year (Image: / SWNS)

"We were walking along with our torches and we suddenly found this area all built up and an old American bus just sitting there.

"The lighting rigs were there on scaffolding and a map of where they wanted all the lights to be.", reports the Mirror.

"It's very bizarre to see an elevator car just sitting in the middle of a roadway, and a stage in front of the bus.

Was this a film set?

Was this a film set? (Image: / SWNS)

"There was all sorts of machinery they had used to set up, and a cabin with a microwave and kettle.

"There were all sorts of pipes they'd used to keep the air clean – there's a risk of radon gas down there.

"It was quite something to see the film set – it wasn't what we had expected at all.

"I believe they filmed for Lord of The Rings in there and also Mission Impossible."

The 2025 blockbuster, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, saw Pedro Pascal take on the leading role of Mister Fantastic, raking in a whopping $521.9 million and earning the approval of fans.

This is not what you expect to come across in Derbyshire

This is not what you expect to come across in Derbyshire (Image: / SWNS)

Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, the film chronicles the adventures of Mister Fantastic and his family as they juggle their heroic duties with familial ties, all while fending off the cosmic threat of Galactus and his mysterious Herald, Silver Surfer, as per Rotten Tomatoes' synopsis.

The star-studded cast also features Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman, Mister Fantastic's super-powered spouse, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing.

The set includes a huge American bus

The set includes a huge American bus (Image: / SWNS)

This marks Marvel's third attempt at bringing the superhero family to life on the silver screen, following previous adaptations in 2005 and 2007, and a reboot in 2015.

Disney has yet to respond to the rumours.