By Michaela Gordoni
Despite Georgia’s generous tax incentives, Disney is choosing to move production out of the country for cheap labor costs.
Marvel previously filmed over 20 superhero movies and shows near Atlanta. But like THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS, most Marvel content will now be shot in the U.K. This is due to rising costs in Georgia, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Georgia was previously known as “The Hollywood of the South.” However, with a 50% drop in production spending in the state, it’s probably not going to keep that name.
Georgia resident and script supervisor Janine Gosselin was making $200k per year. But now, she hasn’t worked since February of 2024 and borrows from her retirement savings to pay her bills.
In the UK, workers are paid less and the studios don’t have to cover their health insurance.
“A lot of actors might only work three or four days a year,” said Atlanta actor Matt Cornwell, who also runs an audition recording studio. “That doesn’t seem to translate to a take-home salary you can rely on.”
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Marvel is making the next SPIDER-MAN movie as well as two AVENGERS movies in the U.K. Both BARBIE and WICKED, which were enormous productions, were shot in the U.K, too. Canada and Australia are other hot spots for production.
California, New York, New Jersey and Texas are trying to attract productions to their states with more incentives.
Lee Thomas, director of the Georgia Film Office, said, “We hope that this is an anomaly where they’ll try out other markets and will return to Georgia because they have faith in our crew and facilities and our tried-and-true incentive.”
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With a 30% maximum tax credit with no cap, Georgia’s incentive is one of the best in the world. But if production is still moving across the world for cheaper costs, than the labor costs must be very high.
Of all of the studios that shot in Georgia, Marvel’s was the most important because it had the biggest budgets.
“Marvel allowed me to do so much with my life and really set the trajectory for my career,” said, John Grubb, a grip.
Marvel did most of its inside shooting at a 1,000-acre, 34-stage facility near Atlanta called Trilith Studios.
“We were fighting over stages on a daily basis because there just wasn’t enough room for Marvel and whatever other show was trying to film,” said Lenzi Sealy, a Marvel location scout.
Now the huge lot is nearly empty.
Trilith Chief Executive Frank Patterson said he thinks that business will be back in town in a couple of years.
“While current filming activity is confronting increased costs and tighter budgets, Georgia remains a top location of choice for film. Our world-class facilities, diverse locations, and deep talent pool not only benefit production companies but drive opportunity in Georgia’s hospitality, construction, and transportation industries, to name just a few,” said Thomas. “Georgia is welcoming productions of every size as the industry evolves and continues to work with television series like ‘Will Trent’ and ‘Sweet Magnolias’ season after season.”
Georgia is also where STRANGER THINGS Season 5 is being filmed. Georgia isn’t out of the industry completely and may still have a lot to offer studios—but it isn’t out of the woods yet.
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