Iron Man, Captain American, Thor and the Incredible Hulk are headed to the Land of Enchantment.
Marvel Studios and director Joss Whedon have decided to shoot "The Avengers" in New Mexico, where the superhero extravaganza will be the state's largest film shoot to date, according to Variety.
Principal photography is scheduled from April through September, and pre-production is already underway.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson announced the news "as a Christmas present of sorts to the people of New Mexico," which should see its economy boosted by such a major Hollywood production.
Albuquerque Studios will host the production, with other New Mexico locations planned, though "The Avengers" will also shoot in New York and Michigan.
For "Thor" star Chris Hemsworth, it will be a return to New Mexico, as that's where director Kenneth Branagh shot most of the film, which is scheduled for release on May 6, 2011, nearly a full year before "The Avengers" is scheduled to obliterate the box office on May 4, 2012.
In other location news, director Zack Snyder will shoot "Superman: Man of Steel" in Vancouver next summer.
Peter Leitch, president of North Shore Studios and Mammoth Studios recently confirmed the decision, telling The Globe and Mail that Snyder would be shooting his next feature in the Canadian city.
Clearly Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are looking to take advantage of tax incentives offered by the Canadian government, and while we can't blame them for wanting to exploit the financial benefits, it does seem a bit strange that a movie steeped in such Americana will be filmed for the most part in Canada.
"Superman" is scheduled for release in December 2012.
