Disney’sMarvel Studioshas just left a major United States filming location. For years, the state of Georgia has hosted some of the world’s biggest-name productions, includingThe Hunger Games, Stranger Things, and theFast & Furiousfranchise. Disney’s Marvel also accounts for a significant proportion of revenue in Georgia’s film industry.
However,beginning withThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel has turned outside the US for filming to reduce production costs.It’s a huge move for the studio, which has made over 20 movies and TV series in the Atlanta, Georgia area.
As perThe Wall Street Journal,Marvel leaves Georgia in favor of a studio outside London where Disney has a long-term lease.Spider-Man: Brand New Dayand the next twoAvengersmovies are being filmed there.Reasons for the move include cheaper labor and studios not being required to subsidize workers’ medical expenses, as the U.K. has universal healthcare.
What This Means For Georgia’s Economy And Marvel Studios
Image via Marvel Studios
Marvel’s departure has fueled fears of job losses in Georgia. While studios typically fly in stars, directors, and department heads to shooting locations, the rest of production largely relies on local crew and resources. The studio’s departure emphasizesa drastic shift in Georgia’s film industry, whichWSJreports has had“a nearly 50% drop in production spending”in recent years.
Marvel isn’t the only studio refocusing its production efforts on the UK. TheGreta Gerwig-directedBarbieproduction took place extensively at the Warner Bros. Studios lot in Hertfordshire, north of London. While exterior scenes were filmed in Los Angeles, the majority of the production was done in the UK. The film alone added £80 million to the UK’s economy.
Witha Marvel movie production budget averaging around $190 million, moving the majority of its operations out of Georgia greatly diminishes job opportunities for local workers and will mark a noticeable decline in production spending.
Our Take On Marvel Studios Moving Out Of Georgia
Georgia was nicknamed the “Hollywood of the South” due to its prosperous film and television industry. Marvel’s departure hasa direct impact on local jobs.Since the labor strikes, Hollywood has yet to recover fully to its pre-strike levels. Many families working within the entertainment industry have faced hardship and were forced to look for other opportunities.
Meanwhile, the UK is experiencing a surge in production. Fromthe scheduledHarry Pottertelevision seriesto the upcoming Marvel movies, the country–which has long played host to blockbuster productions like the originalStar Wars–continues to grow as a major international hub for film and TV.
