Filming Black Panther in Atlanta, Georgia last year helped its economy generate more than $80 million. Marvel Studios is set to open their 10th anniversary year with a huge bang thanks to the Ryan Coogler-directed flick. Starring Chadwick Boseman as the titular character, the 18th installment in the MCU is set to introduce people to the hidden nation of Wakanda and its people.

Marvel Studios have regularly utilized Pinewoods Studios Atlanta since it first opened its doors in 2014, with Ant-Man being the first production to use the facility. Since then a slew of MCU films have started using Atlanta as its principal photography base camp such as Captain America: Civil War, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, as well as the upcoming twin Avengers films: Infinity War, its still-untitled sequel, and Ant-Man And The Wasp. Now, with Black Panther (although filmed at EUE/Screen Gems Studios instead) rolling out in a week, we get an idea just how these blockbusters also help the economy of the state to flourish.

Deadline reports that during a recent early screening for crew members who worked tirelessly on Black Panther, Charles Rivkin revealed that making the film in Georgia generated its economy $83.9 million.  He also thanked the locals who helped not just create the Coogler film, but also for their contributions to their community.

Meanwhile, David Grant, VP, Physical Production, Marvel Studios, also had nothing but good things to say to the people of Georgia. Considering that they’ve been back there so many times, we presume that they have been treated well, plus, of course, its lucrative tax cut arrangements. In return, they’ve supported local businesses, employed Georgians and championed tourism in the Southern State:

“Tonight, we are here to celebrate the talented individuals and vendors who help make Georgia the third largest production center in the nation, and who help bring to life stories, like Black Panther, that make a difference. Black Panther has smashed records for advance ticket sales thanks to the hard work of local crew and vendors, and because the film reflects the breadth and diversity of our global communities.”

Safe to say, the partnership between the State of Georgia and Marvel Studios will only continue to flourish in the years to come. Having just wrapped up the still-untitled Avengers 4 film last month, there is a slew of upcoming projects in the MCU docket that is waiting to enter production that is more likely going to film in Pinewoods such as the Homecoming sequel despite location shoots geared up in Europe. Further, with the possible acquisition of the X-Men and Fantastic Four rights, and another 20 films already in development, we expect that the company will continue to be in the business of filmmaking for a long time.

“Every time we come back to make a movie here in Georgia, the experience gets better. The infrastructure for film production continues to improve and the bench of creative professionals we can draw on gets deeper – and that’s because as a community you have committed to making Georgia a great place to make films and television shows.”

MORE: Director Ryan Coogler Considered Setting Up Female Black Panther

Source: Deadline

  • spider-man homecoming 2 Release Date: 2019-07-02 The Avengers 4 Release Date: 2019-04-26 Avengers: Infinity War Release Date: 2018-04-27 Black Panther Release Date: 2018-02-16 captain marvel Release Date: 2019-03-08 Ant-Man 2 Release Date: 2018-07-06