A look back at how ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ filmed in Phoenix

Alex Winter (left) and Keanu Reeves (right) at a now-defunct Tempe location of Circle K at Hardy Drive and Southern Avenue in 1987. Scenes where Bill and Ted first encounter Rufus (played by the late George Carlin) and utter the phrase “Strange things are afoot at the Circle K” were filmed outside of the store.

A trio of “future elders” from “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (from left): rock stars Martha Davis, Clarence Clemons and Fee Waybill. The scene was set in San Dimas of the year 2688 and was filmed at the now-demolished Carefree Studios in Scottsdale.

The primary cast of “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” at a photo shoot in Phoenix during filming in 1987.

Alex Winter (left) and Keanu Reeves (right) with Billy the Kid actor Dan Shor (center) during a scene set in the San Dimas police station that was shot at a vacant office building in Scottsdale.

The late George Carlin as Rufus. “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” was one of the actor and comedian’s first major film roles.

Actors Keanu Reeves, Robert V. Barron, Alex Winter, Rod Loomis, and Clifford David filming in Metrocenter’s food court.

colaimages/Alamy Stock Photo

The late George Carlin as Rufus during a photo shoot for “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” during filming for the movie in Phoenix.

Stuntmen from “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” during filming at the now-demolished Carefree Studios in 1987.

Alex Winter plays Bill S. Preston Esq. in a scene filmed in the Wild West town at the now-demolished Carefree Studios in Scottsdale.

Key set production assistant Connie Hoy with Beethoven actor Clifford David outside of East High School in Phoenix.

Connie Hoy

Alex Winter (right) with Joan of Arc actress Jane Wiedlin (left) during the filming of “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” at the now-demolished East High School in Phoenix.

Joan of Arc actress and former Go-Go’s guitarist Jane Wiedlin (center) with crew members from “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”

The late George Carlin as Rufus on set at the Circle K at Southern Avenue and Hardy Drive in Tempe.

Keanu Reeves (right) with Beethoven actor Clifford David (left) in a deleted scene from “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” that was filmed at the now-demolished East High School in Phoenix.

Historical figures from “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (from left): Al Leong as Genghis Khan, Jane Wiedlin as Joan of Arc, Rod Loomis as Sigmund Freud, Tony Steedman as Socrates, Robert V. Barron as Abraham Lincoln and Clifford David as Ludwig van Beethoven during a scene filmed at East High School in Phoenix that was cut from the movie.

Entertainment Pictures/Alamy Stock Photo

Key set production assistant Connie Hoy (left) with location manager Rick Rothen at now-defunct Phoenix mall Metrocenter in 1987 during filming of “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” Crew members joked that

Connie Hoy

The late actor Tony Steedman as Socrates at the ice-skating rink at now-defunct Phoenix mall Metrocenter.

Beethoven actor Clifford David (left) with the late Roy Forge Smith, the production designer for “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” during filming at now-defunct mall Metrocenter in Phoenix.

Genghis Khan actor Al Leong (right) and crew member Connie Hoy inside Sam Goody at Metrocenter in 1987.

Connie Hoy

Keanu Reeves (left) and Alex Winter (right) in a scene filmed in Tempe that was ultimately cut from “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”

Moviestore Collection Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo

Beethoven actor Clifford David while rehearsing for scenes filmed at now-defunct mall Metrocenter in Phoenix.

Connie Hoy

Alex Winter (center left) and Keanu Reeves (center right) with actress Kimberley Kates (far left) and Diane Franklin during a prom scene filmed at East High School in Phoenix that was cut from “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”

AJ Pics/Alamy Stock Photo

A group photo of the cast and crew of “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” at the now-demolished East High School in Phoenix.

Connie Hoy

Keanu Reeves (left) and Alex Winter (right) in a scene set in 1879 that was filmed at the now-demolished Carefree Studios in Scottsdale.

Moviestore Collection Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo