When cameras start rolling on Marvel Studios’ superhero extravaganza The Avengers next April, they will be rolling in New Mexico. The state’s governor Bill Richardson and Marvel Studios Co-President Louis D’Esposito announced today in a press release that the bulk of the film will shoot in the state utilizing available sound stages at Albuquerque Studios in addition to shooting on location in different parts of the state. Additional location work will be done in Michigan and New York.
In the press release Richardson stated –
In addition to being our biggest production to date, The Avengers will be the most technologically advanced and will provide cutting-edge training opportunities for our crew. I’m announcing this as a Christmas present of sorts to the people of New Mexico. This is a perfect example of the incredible job creation, economic impact and global visibility this industry has brought our state over the past eight years, and of the need to keep it moving forward.
While I have to admit that I am disappointed that more of the film won’t be shot in New York City, where presumably much of it will be set as Manhattan has been the traditional home for the super team, I can’t argue with the economics of the decision. New Mexico has some fairly aggressive tax incentives designed to lure Hollywood production dollars into their state. Marvel took advantage of them for this coming summer’s Thor and presumably liked the welcome they got in the state. Marvel will need all the cost-saving steps it can take as The Avengers is shaping up to be the most expensive production yet from the fledgling studio.
