Hollywood Backlot: ‘Battle: Los Angeles.’

A helicopter from the Marine Aircraft Group-29, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is serviced before filming begins on a scene from the film “Battle: Los Angeles” at the Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.  (David Strick / For The Times)

Aaron Eckhart is positioned on “Battle: Los Angeles.”  (David Strick / For The Times)

Marines and aircraft from the Marine Aircraft Group-29, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, stand ready prior to filming of a scene on “Battle: Los Angeles.”  (David Strick / For The Times)

Camera operator Lucas Bielan is wheeled on a human-powered rig as the camera crew follows a line of Marines from the Marine Aircraft Group-29, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing during filming of a scene on “Battle: Los Angeles.”  (David Strick / For The Times)

Aaron Eckhart’s face is partly shadowed by late-afternoon light.  (David Strick / For The Times)

Camera operator Lucas Bielan photographs himself with his cellphone camera between scenes on “Battle: Los Angeles.”  (David Strick / For The Times)

Aaron Eckhart (background) and director Jonathan Liebesman stand on the tarmac during filming of “Battle: Los Angeles.”  (David Strick / For The Times)

Director Jonathan Liebesman gives direction to Aaron Eckhart during filming of “Battle: Los Angeles.”  (David Strick / For The Times)

Aaron Eckhart’s face is reflected in the left sideview mirror of a car during filming of “Battle: Los Angeles.”  (David Strick / For The Times)

A sound guy and his boom mike are ready for a scene with Aaron Eckhart.  (David Strick / For The Times)

Marines from the Marine Aircraft Group-29, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and camera crew prepare to film a scene on “Battle: Los Angeles” at the Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.  (David Strick / For The Times)

A marine from the Marine Aircraft Group-29, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing waits for a scene from “Battle: Los Angeles” to begin filming.  (David Strick / For The Times)

Director Jonathan Liebesman crouches on the tarmac of the Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, lining up a shot for “Battle: Los Angeles.”  (David Strick / For The Times)

An assistant cameraman adjusts a camera’s matte box during filming of “Battle: Los Angeles.”  (David Strick / For The Times)

Ramon Rodriguez laughs as DGA trainee Gary Cotti and director’s assistant Dean Israelite hold forth during filming of “Battle: Los Angeles” at the Camp Horno location on the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton,  (David Strick / For The Times)

Aaron Eckhart prepares for a scene at the Camp Horno location at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.  (David Strick / For The Times)