Avengers Pulls Out Of Michigan

 

Marvel has decided not to shoot part of The Avengers in Michigan following a proposal by the governor that would essentially eliminate the state’s current film tax incentive, the Detroit Free Press reports.

The plan originally had been for the Joss Whedon-directed project to film primarily at Albuquerque Studios and at other locations around New Mexico before moving to Michigan and New York. But according to the newspaper, when Marvel was unable to confirm The Avengers would still qualify for incentives under Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget plan, the studio withdrew the movie from Michigan.

As part of a sweeping elimination of special tax credits and exemptions, Snyder plans to allocate $25 million a year for new-movie incentives, a dramatic reduction from the $60 million paid out last year. Incentive supporters fear The Avengers could be the first of many losses for a state that’s played host to 135 productions since 2008. During that period, filmmakers have spent nearly $650 million in Michigan.

The Avengers, which is set to begin filming in April, stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson and Clark Gregg. It opens on May 4, 2012.

(via Super Hero Hype)