Samuel L. Jackson was spotted in Gran Canaria, dining at Fuji Restaurant in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the night of Wednesday, November 20, while movie crews were working on the island. The sighting added a touch of Hollywood glamour to a location already buzzing with production activity.
Jackson is widely known for his roles in Pulp Fiction, Die Hard with a Vengeance, the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and numerous appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His presence comes as filming for a new project continues on the island, with crews taking advantage of the Canary Islands’ varied landscapes and climate to shoot key sequences.
The actor is slated to portray the President of the United States in a science fiction feature, with Joel Kinnaman and Adam Burnett also on the cast, according to reports from the Hollywood Reporter and IMDb. The film’s ambition and the notable talent attached have drawn attention to the production’s Canary Islands shoot as a strategic move in the project’s global schedule.
Beyond the Canary Islands, the production is expected to move to Madrid in the coming days, as crews plan additional sequences in the Spanish capital. This itinerary underscores the scale of the project and the collaboration across multiple major locations in Spain as filming progresses.
During his visit, Jackson also spent time at Fuji, Spain’s first Japanese restaurant, which has a long heritage and remains a focal point for locals and visitors alike. The stop underscored Fuji’s status as a cultural landmark in the area and its role in showcasing authentic Japanese cuisine to a broad audience.
Gastronomy history of the Canary Islands and Spain
Fuji restaurant opened in 1967 as the first Japanese dining establishment in Spain. It was founded by Toshihiko Sato, who arrived in the country at age 25 and left a lasting mark on the nation’s culinary scene, introducing Spaniards to genuine Japanese flavors and cooking techniques that would influence generations of diners.
In 2007 Miguel Martínez took over management after Sato’s retirement; Martínez had joined the restaurant in 1992 and helped steer Fuji through a period of evolution. The restaurant operated on Fernando Guanarteme Street for 55 years before relocating in 2022 to a new site on Pedro del Castillo Westerling Street in the port area, where it continues to serve its distinctive Japanese cuisine.
This establishment remains more than a dining spot; it is a symbol for the local community, preserving the legacy of Mr. Sato and the dedication of Miguel Martínez and his team, who continue to deliver authentic flavors that connect Spain with Japan while supporting the area’s cultural and gastronomic identity.