Five hundred crew members, 100 extras and two stand-ins: every shot was meticulously prepared with stand-in actors before the star stepped in with absolute focus. Period costumes were tailored in Athens, and strict set designs recreated the atmosphere of the 1980s.

What lies behind the glamour of a Hollywood blockbuster? The arrival of Brad Pitt on the Greek island of Hydra for the filming of his new movie The Riders brought not only a global star but an entire machine of organization, technical precision and months of exhaustive preparation. Nothing was left to chance. From negotiations with shop owners to shut down businesses, to the hiring of local extras and professionals, the production operated with near-military discipline to transform Hydra into a convincing 1980s setting.

Preparation began almost a year before filming. Locations were carefully scouted, and even a pharmacy central to a dramatic rain scene was constructed from scratch inside a warehouse to ensure total control over the set’s 1980s aesthetic. In one pivotal sequence, Pitt runs through torrential artificial rain carrying his injured daughter. Massive water tanks, high-pressure pumps and fire hydrants were used to create the storm, while non-slip mats were laid over the cobblestones for safety. Every movement was rehearsed multiple times by stand-ins — including Pitt’s American and Greek doubles — so that lighting, camera angles and sound were perfected before the actor stepped in.

Accommodation and security were equally elaborate. Thirteen large homes were rented for the 500-member crew, with heightened privacy measures for Pitt, who stayed in multiple properties to limit exposure. His partner, Ines de Ramon, remained out of the public eye throughout the shoot. Around 100 local extras were paid roughly €200 per day, while shop owners received between €200 and €5,000 daily to close or transform their businesses. Even closed shops were compensated to serve as authentic 1980s backdrops — complete with drachma price tags and real products in display windows.

Directed by Oscar-winner Edward Berger, the film is based on the novel by Australian author Tim Winton and follows a man searching across Europe for his missing wife while caring for his daughter. Industry observers suggest the role could mark a major dramatic milestone for Pitt, with some already speculating it may be his strongest bid yet for a Best Actor Oscar nomination. The film is expected to be released in Greece later this year.