In addition to being filmed in international locations like Johannesburg, South Africa and Aosta Valley, Italy and locations closer to home like New York, Disney and Marvel Studios will also be filming the second Avengers movie in Seoul, South Korea. Currently, the movie is shooting in Johannesburg ahead of the official start of principal photography in Shepperton Studios in the U.K., where most of the production will take place.
Marvel Studios announced today that many “key elements” Joss Whedon’s superhero sequel, Avengers: Age of Ultron will be shooting in the capital of South Korea. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige was excited about the choice, saying this in a statement:
“South Korea is the perfect location for a movie of this magnitude because it features cutting-edge technology, beautiful landscapes and spectacular architecture. We would especially like to thank the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) for making it possible for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ to come to Korea.”
Republic of Korea Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Yoo Jinryong, was also very pleased about the addition of South Korea as one of the shooting locations for Avengers. “[We are] very excited to have the production in Korea,” he said, adding that he “expect[s] this to serve as the footstep of many more opportunities yet to come.”
Before this announcement, only one major Hollywood production has shot in Korea – The Bourne Legacy, which shot in Seoul in 2011. Coupled with the addition of popular Korean actress Kim Soo-hyun to the cast in her Hollywood debut, it seems Whedon and co. are certainly angling for a bit more international flavor in Avengers: Age of Ultron. The series is already immensely popular internationally, with The Avengers making $1.5 billion in the worldwide box office, but with the continued expansion of Marvel’s movie (and television) continuity, positioning Marvel as something more than a distinctly American brand could be important.
Avengers: Age of Ultron is set for release in the U.S on May 1, 2015.