7 times Singapore appeared in pop culture and made us proud

Wave that Singapore flag high!

And not just literally at the National Day Parade, because nothing gets Singaporeans beaming with more pride than to see our Lion City depicted in pop culture.

This National Day, we're going to look at seven times that Singapore was camera-ready and serving some gorgeous face.

1. EQUALS

Set in a dystopia where people are devoid of emotions, English actor Nicholas Hoult and US actress Kristen Stewart play lovers who are stricken with a disease that restores human compassion and emotions.

This 2015 American sci-fi movie was partially filmed in Singapore where familiar landmarks such as Henderson Waves, Marina Barrage, one-north MRT station and the Reflections at Keppel Bay condominium can be seen.

Some lucky fans even spotted these Hollywood stars out and about and exploring Sentosa. It's not everyday that you get to rub shoulders with the famous and we're green with envy.

2. HITMAN: AGENT 47

A successful video game film adaptation has always been the elusive pot of gold at the end of the moviemaking rainbow. This American action thriller may not be that pot of gold, but it succeeded in making Singapore a 'character' in the film.

Apart from famous landmarks such as Esplanade, Arts House, Supreme Court, ArtScience Museum and Singapore Flyer making an appearance in the trailer and the poster, Robinson Road also became the backdrop for a shootout scene.

It was the first time in history that Robinson Road was closed for two-and-a-half days for filming.

3. THE FAITH OF ANNA WATERS

This Hollywood horror film might not have been well received by critics but credit has to be given as it was the first Hollywood film to be helmed by a Singaporean director, Kelvin Tong.

The film follows an American journalist who travels to Singapore to investigate the mysterious suicide of her sister, which turns out to be connected to a plan to bring about the end of the world.

What keeps this Singapore cameo fresh is that it didn't just show off a famous landmark such as the National Museum. Viewers got a glimpse of Chinatown, HDB block corridors and even local actors such as Adrian Pang and Tan Kheng Hua.

4. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

The Guardians didn't descend on Singapore for a shoot but we're putting it on our list anyway because it inspired the look of an entire planet in the film.

Eagle-eyed viewers may notice that the architecture of the planet Xandar, where the Guardians first meet, bears some resemblance to Gardens by the Bay. It's pretty much an open secret by now.

As overall visual effects supervisor Stephane Ceretti told Fxguide: "Xandar is based in many ways on Singapore. There’s a place there called Gardens by the Bay which has that lush, kind of futuristic feel in terms of architecture and a very lush tropical feel."

5. DETECTIVE CONAN: THE FIST OF BLUE SAPPHIRE

This is the first movie from the Detective Conan series to be set outside of Japan and Singapore was selected because the creator, Gosho Go-Ayama, was impressed with the island city during his visit in 2016.

Detective Conan is a long-running and beloved manga and anime series in Japan with 22 feature films under its belt.

The Fist of Blue Sapphire features Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion, Maxwell Food Centre and Suntec City's Fountain Of Wealth and follows the titular detective as he solves a mystery centred around sunken treasure found off the Republic's coast.

6. CRAZY RICH ASIANS

Quite possibly the crown jewel of this list, Crazy Rich Asians is the first Hollywood film to star an all-Asian cast and might have even helped many Westerners realise that Singapore isn't part of China.

However, perhaps they now think that Singaporeans all hang out at Marina Bay Sands and belong to the high-SES group.

Apart from the usual landmarks, other places that get some love in this film include CHIJMES, Newton Food Centre (though locals might disagree with its choice), Sentosa, Raffles Hotel and Ann Siang Hill.

In addition to the familiar locations, fans were also eager to see Hollywood shining the spotlight on local talent such as Fiona Xie, Tan Kheng Hua, Selena Tan, Janice Koh, Amy Cheng, Koh Chieng Mun, Constance Lau and, of course, Pierre Png (and his abs).

If you look closely, you may even spot a few other recognisable cameos!

7. WESTWORLD SEASON 3

After shots of Singapore's skyline were spotted in the trailer, the rumour mill started churning as people wondered if Singapore would be making an appearance.

A series of casting calls made even sent the collective internet into a frenzy as all signs pointed to Westworld making its way to our sunny island for a shoot.

In short, it did, and actor Aaron Paul was even spotted at Tanjong Pagar.

It was also reported that actors Bobby Tonelli and Nikki Mueller scored speaking roles on the show.

bryanlim@asiaone.com