Written by new-contact on Feb 3, 2014. Posted in On Location

The Avengers sequel to film second-unit footage on location in South Africa

Marvel will shoot second-unit footage on location in Johannesburg in South Africa for its upcoming superhero sequel The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Filming will last two weeks for the movie that will bring together Marvel’s biggest superhero stars for a second adventure.

Production on the Avengers sequel will be based in the UK and filmmaker Joss Whedon returns as writer and director after steering the first film to spectacular international success. Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, Hulk, Captain America and Hawkeye will all return.

“We’re thrilled that Marvel Studios is bringing a major motion picture project to Johannesburg, and we’re committed to showing them the very best our region has to offer,” said Gauteng Film Commission head Phindile Mbanujwa in comments to regional outlet Channel24.

Added Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau: “It’s very positive for the city and we have worked diligently with the JOC (Johannesburg Joint Operations Committee) to make our city an attractive location for films of all sizes."

We’re committed to showing them the very best our region has to offer.

Phindile Mbanujwa, head of the Gauteng Film Commission head

“It strengthens Johannesburg’s position as a worldwide film production centre with first-class facilities and production support. It also has a very positive impact for the region and is a great opportunity for the city to be showcased to a worldwide audience,” Tau added.

Marvel’s first Avengers movie filmed studio work at Albuquerque Studios in New Mexico and in New York. Cleveland in Ohio doubled for New York for the dramatic alien invasion finale.

The UK’s generous filming incentive programme helped secure the first of what is likely to be a series of big-budget sequels. Thor: The Dark World and Guardians of the Galaxy – a lesser-known Marvel title that’s being planned as another franchise – were based in London over the past couple of years and the UK has cemented its place as one of the world's top production hubs.

Whedon’s screenplay for Age of Ultron seems to have a more global reach than its predecessor, with additional filming also reportedly set for parts of northern Italy.

(Images: Zade Rosenthal/Marvel)