Jason Momoa has been filming scenes for the erotic thriller “Scorn” inside a health food shop on Central Road in Leeds, drawing attention to the area throughout the past week. The actor, known for his roles in DC’s Aquaman and Game of Thrones, was seen alongside his girlfriend Adria Arjona and co-star Kingsley Ben-Adir during the shoot, which took place on Monday at the Out Of This World store, temporarily closed for filming purposes.
Health Food Shop Transformed for Movie Production
The Out Of This World shop, which sells vitamins, herbal teas, and natural products, was closed to customers during the filming, causing some inconvenience. However, Damian Tapper, the shop owner, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the film crew and celebrity visitors. The store has operated at two different locations on Central Road over its 21 years and was redecorated to fit the movie’s setting, including changing its sign from “Yorkshire’s Favourite Health Food Destination” to “London’s.”
The film “Scorn,” described as an erotic thriller, is set across London and New York. This particular Leeds location will feature in several scenes. Despite the excitement, the production team did not allow photos with the crew, so Tapper relied on store CCTV footage to document the visit.
Jason Momoa’s Interaction with Staff and Local Business
Following the day’s filming, Jason Momoa and Adria Arjona engaged with the staff, purchasing a variety of products, such as charcoal and tea tree toothpastes, Nairns oat low sugar biscuits, and Weleda skin food moisturiser. Tapper shared his impressions of Momoa’s demeanor, highlighting the actor’s genuine interest in the store’s products and ethical choices.
“It was an honour to be approached by the film producers at the start of the year. It’s not every day that Jason Momoa spends the day at our shop!”
– Damian Tapper, Shop Owner
“Jason was just as cool, friendly, and handsome in real life as you’d expect. He praised us for our ‘incredible selection of products’ and after filming spent time shopping here for lots of our goodies. He was particularly interested in our natural charcoal and tea tree toothpastes and was eager to learn the benefits of both of these.”
– Damian Tapper, Shop Owner
“We absolutely love that Mr Momoa was keen to learn about our products and made such great ethical, health conscious choices here. He’s welcome back anytime he’s here in Leeds!”
– Damian Tapper, Shop Owner
Local Business Challenges Amidst Construction
For the Out Of This World store and other independent businesses nearby, the film’s arrival offered a brief positive distraction from ongoing challenges. A large-scale redevelopment project replaced the old House of Fraser building with a new 369-bed student accommodation complex, completed last year. However, resurfacing and roadworks persisted into 2024, deeply affecting the flow of customers along Central Road.
Tapper described the past 15 months as particularly difficult for local traders, emphasizing the isolating impact of construction and disruptions surrounding the business district. Despite the hardships, the moment with the film production brought a rare highlight.
“We have had an incredibly tough time over the last 15 months. We’ve been surrounded by a considerable amount of construction projects and road works. This has hugely affected not just us but all the surrounding independent businesses.”
– Damian Tapper, Shop Owner
“We’ve been here in Leeds for 21 years but last year was by far the hardest yet, so it was welcome to have a little break from this during filming.”
– Damian Tapper, Shop Owner
“We really need ever to come down to support us over the coming weeks and months as the construction work is still ongoing and we don’t want this year to be our last in Leeds.”
– Damian Tapper, Shop Owner
Significance of Jason Momoa’s Leeds Filming Appearance
The involvement of high-profile film stars, such as Jason Momoa alongside co-stars Adria Arjona and Kingsley Ben-Adir, brings a considerable spotlight to Leeds and its local businesses. “Scorn” filming locally not only highlights Leeds’ potential as a filming location but also provides moments of economic and social uplift amidst ongoing urban redevelopment challenges. For small independent shops like Out Of This World, the production represents a rare opportunity to benefit from broader attention and potential future visits from visitors curious about the city’s role in the film industry.
As filming continues across the north of England, scenes shot in Leeds will contribute to the movie’s final release, potentially attracting audiences interested in the city’s vibrant locations and the star-studded cast. Meanwhile, local businesses hope the increased exposure will help sustain them through the remaining construction period and beyond, preserving their presence in the area for years to come.
