Urban explorers have made an astonishing discovery deep beneath the Derbyshire countryside, uncovering what appears to be a fully abandoned Marvel film set hidden within a disused underground mine. The eerie scene, complete with a retro American bus, stage, and lighting equipment, has been left untouched and forgotten by time.
An Unexpected Discovery in the Depths
Two anonymous friends, experienced in urban exploration, were investigating the historic Middleton mine in the picturesque Derbyshire Dales when they stumbled upon something entirely unexpected. Instead of the usual mining artefacts or geological formations, they found a meticulously constructed film set, seemingly frozen in time.
The explorers described the moment they first saw the set as "unbelievable," with their torchlight revealing a surreal scene that included a distinctive blue and white American bus from the 1960s era, a professional stage area, a car lift mechanism, a caravan, and an elaborate lighting plan still mounted on scaffolding.
Connections to Major Hollywood Productions
Based on information from individuals connected to film production crews, the explorers believe this underground location served as a filming site for two major Hollywood productions. The primary connection appears to be to Marvel Studios' 2025 release The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which starred Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic and featured a 1960s setting that matches the aesthetic of the discovered props.
Additionally, the explorers were told the same location was used for scenes in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, adding to the site's cinematic pedigree. The mine has apparently hosted multiple film productions over the years, with rumours suggesting even Lord of the Rings sequences might have been shot within its cavernous spaces.
The Eerie Details of the Abandoned Set
The explorers provided detailed descriptions of what they encountered in the underground chambers. "We were walking along with our torches and we suddenly found this area all built up and an old American bus just sitting there," one explorer recounted. "The lighting rigs were there on scaffolding and a map of where they wanted all the lights to be."
Other notable elements included an elevator car positioned strangely in the middle of a roadway, various machinery used during set construction, and even a cabin containing basic amenities like a microwave and kettle for crew use. The explorers also noted specialized piping systems installed to manage air quality and mitigate risks from radon gas present in the underground environment.
Marvel's Return to The Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four: First Steps marked Marvel's third cinematic adaptation of the iconic superhero family, following previous releases in 2005 and 2007, plus a 2015 reboot. The 2025 version, directed by Matt Shakman, transported audiences back to the 1960s and followed Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) and his family as they balanced superhero duties with family bonds while defending Earth from the cosmic threat of Galactus and Silver Surfer.
The film proved commercially successful, grossing $521.9 million worldwide, and was generally well-received by both critics and fans. Alongside Pedro Pascal's lead performance, the cast included Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing).
Silence from the Studios
Despite the compelling evidence and detailed accounts from the explorers, Disney and Marvel Studios have maintained complete silence regarding the abandoned set discovery. No official confirmation or comment has been provided about whether the Middleton mine location was indeed used for filming The Fantastic Four: First Steps or any other productions.
The lack of official acknowledgment adds to the mysterious atmosphere surrounding the find, leaving the explorers' accounts and photographic evidence as the primary sources of information about this unusual cinematic relic hidden beneath the English countryside.
