The film incorporates acts from the seven Cirque du Soleil shows running in Las Vegas in 2011: O, Mystère, Kà, Love, Zumanity, Viva Elvis and Criss Angel Believe.
Each of the acts/performances was filmed on the stage of the theater in Las Vegas where the show is/was running: the acts from "O" at the "O" Theatre at the Bellagio, those from "Ka" at the Ka Theater at the MGM Grand, those from "Love" at the Love Theater at the Mirage, the act from "Mystere" at the Mystere Theater at Treasure Island, the act from "Zumanity" at the Zumanity Theater at the New York New York and the act from "Viva Elvis" at the Aria Theater.
This is a long-cherished ambition of James Cameron who for years has wanted to capture some of the Cirque du Soleil magic in 3D.
Shooting also took place in New Zealand (per closing credits). A New Zealand-style railway crossing warning sign can be seen in the first shot.