Image via Complex Original
It doesn’t matter whether you’re talking about a superhero, a crazy genius, or a villain—every sci-fi character needs a space to work. Over the years, the movie industry has gone from showcasing libraries of mad scientist to subterranean bat lairs to slick futuristic headquarters, proving that, when it comes to innovation, these Hollywood labs are as different and unique as the top-secret projects that come out of them. The results might be awesome or completely disastrous, but one thing that all of the best laboratories have in common is the fact that they’re all about pushing the boundaries (for better or for worse). Check out Where Innovation Happens: Hollywood’s Greatest Labs and What Came Out of Them.
Tony Stark’s Lab in Iron Man
If you’re going to manipulate 3D holograms using just your hands, then you’re going to need an epic laboratory. Luckily, Tony Stark’s got it covered with a basement office that’s been transformed into a high-tech wonderland. It’s where he transformed into Iron Man, and comes complete with 3D interfaces, an insane car collection, and his robot assistant Jarvis. The technology is so good that it has even inspired real-life versions, like Elon Musk's workspace.
Bruce Wayne’s Cave in Batman
Bruce Wayne’s subterranean lair not only was a secret hideaway where he could be himself, but the Batcave also doubled as a workspace, crime lab, library, Gotham command center, and home to the Batmobile. But perhaps the coolest part of all was the Bat Computer, a super-machine with global surveillance that rivals the technology of many national security agencies.
Worthington Laboratories in X-Men
Although it was originally used to manufacture medical equipment, this San Francisco lab (which has the alias of a pharmaceutical company) soon morphed into a state-of-the-art futuristic facility. Its CEO, Warren Worthington II, used it as an attempt to create “The Mutant Cure," also known as the vaccine for the X-gene. We all know how that turned out.
Dr. Lanning’s Office in iRobot
Del Spooner uses the late Dr. Lanning’s office to investigate the real cause of his death. Inside, he finds a prototype of the new Nestor Class 5 (otherwise known as the NS-5) model robot named Sonny. This discovery prompts the rest of the film: investigating the new breed of bots, figuring out why Sonny rebelled, and questioning the relationship between free will and humanity.
C. A. Rotwang’s Underground Lair in Metropolis
Often credited for the creation of the “mad scientist laboratory” ideal, this epic 1927 German expressionist science-fiction film revolves around inventor C.A. Rotwang, who uses his lab to create his dream woman. When Maria the robot goes terribly wrong, it comes at his demise. While Rotwang’s lab wasn’t especially well-designed or futuristic-looking, it was arguably one of the most influential, ever.
Bruce Banner’s Lab in Hulk
The research scientist, biochemist, and all-around brilliant physicist transformed into the Hulk as part of a research experiment, without realizing that he had a mutant DNA. And it all went down in one of the most notorious labs in Hollywood history.
Sebastian Caine’s Lab in The Hollow Man
Scientist Sebastian Caine worked to develop a special invisibility serum that was not intended to be tested on people. However, he convinces his team to go straight into human testing, with—who else?—himself as the test subject.
Dr. Henry Jekyll’s Lab in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The room where Dr. Jekyll spontaneously decided to do testing on himself is the epitome of a mad scientist dwelling. With test tubes and bottles everywhere, it’s cluttered, chaotic, and capable of producing disastrous results.
Henry Frankenstein’s lab in Frankenstein
In the ultimate don’t-try-to-play-God cautionary tale, Frankenstein and his hunchback assistant, Fritz, attempt to create a human made from various parts. The result is a terrifying monster that wreaks havoc on everyone (including its creator). The lab, with its dark lighting and dated interior, is just as creepy as the story itself.
ENCON’s futuristic lab in Tron
Tron was ahead of its time in terms of film technology (it was one of the first to use 3D computer graphics), and ENCON’s epic lab is equally as impressive. Shot at California’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the 1982 movie is one of the few to be shot in a real lab, complete with lasers. After all, if it has the ability to suddenly transport Flynn into a digital universe, it’s got to be good.
