As a nation, we are obsessed with heroes. That’s one of the reasons why movies starring Superman, Iron Man, The Hulk, Spiderman, Thor,etc. (to name a few) always end up being huge box office hits.
After the mega success of Captain America: The First Avengers and the 2012 blockbuster The Avengerswhich has grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide so far, The Walt Disney Studios and its subsidiary Marvel Entertainment are now preparing to make their next installment of the hero movies. Hence, we will soon be seeing the return of Steve Rogers, our beloved Captain America.
And where? Words are that Captain America: The Winter Soldier will be filming in Cleveland, Ohio and Washington, D.C.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier to Film in Cleveland, Ohio
On September 28, 2012, the Greater Cleveland Film Commission announced in its press release that Captain America: The Winter Soldier will be filming in Cleveland, as well as northeast and southern Ohio.
Ohio is no stranger to the Marvel movies. In 2011, The Avengers was also filmed in several locations throughout the state. The Avengers’ success was immediate. The film was the fastest movie ever to gross $1 billion in sales worldwide.
“Marvel is pleased to return to Ohio, this time with our Captain America: The Winter Soldierproduction,” said Louis D’Esposito, Co-President, Marvel Studios. “The location, talent and people of Ohio are sure to benefit our film, and we look forward to beginning production.”
As to the plot, Captain America: The Winter Soldier will pick up where Marvel’s The Avengersleaves off. Steve Rogers, fresh from his adventures with his superhero friends, is now trying adjust to life in the modern world. Cleveland natives and Brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, who have worked on Welcome to Collinwood, Arrested Development, and Community, will be directing the movie.
“Marvel is pleased to return to Ohio, this time with our Captain America: The Winter Soldier production. The location, talent and people of Ohio are sure to benefit our film, and we look forward to beginning production.”
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission has been diligently presenting to the producers the physical and financial (which includes the recently expanded Ohio Motion Picture Tax Incentive) benefits of filming in Ohio. And it looks like all their hard work has paid off.
“We’re thrilled that Marvel Studios is bringing another major motion picture project to Cleveland, and we’re committed to showing them the very best our region has to offer,” said Ivan Schwarz, executive director of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. “We proved with the filming of Marvel’s The Avengers that Cleveland has the talent, architecture and amazing locations that will provide filmmakers everything they need to ensure a successful filming experience, and the economic impact of this new project can’t be denied.”
“Filming will create a number of jobs for Ohioans and will give our region another chance to demonstrate how skilled, professional and dedicated our workforce truly is,” Schwarz continued. “We especially appreciate Governor Kasich and the Ohio Film Office for their support and timely approval of these exciting opportunities.”
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission’s mission is to foster a year-round, sustainable statewide film industry. While trying to attract media production to the state, the Film Commission also tries to create jobs and encourages continuing education in the film industry.
Frank G. Jackson, Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, stated, “We are thrilled to host Marvel and the filming of Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2013. We have worked diligently with the Greater Cleveland Film Commission to make our city an attractive location for films of all sizes. Marvel’s return to Cleveland shows we can provide a film-friendly atmosphere that will ultimately lead to a permanent presence of the film industry in Northeast Ohio.”
Since its inception in 2009, the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit has helped create 1,143 full-time Ohio jobs and $35.5 million in income.
“We are thrilled that Cuyahoga County is being seen as a destination for filmmakers,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald. “The resources that we have to offer, including our skilled workforce, makes our region a natural fit for the film industry. Projects like this means jobs and economic development for Cuyahoga County.”
The Ohio Development Services Agency Film Office awarded Disney’s Marvel Studios $9.5 million in Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit for two project locations related to Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
“First the ‘Avengers,’ now ‘Captain America’ – Hollywood is seeing the benefits of filming in Ohio,” Christiane Schmenk, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency, said in the release. “This is another example of the positive impact that the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit is having on our film industry and our state’s job-creation picture overall.”
An estimate of 2,800 temporary jobs (including electricians, tailors and extras) will be available when the production is in Ohio for filming. Marvel plans to spend $35 million in the state.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier to Film in D.C.
In a Film DC podcast last August 2012, Leslie Green, the spokeswoman for the District’s Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, revealed that representatives from Marvel had scouted locations in D.C. looking for potential sets for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. If all goes well, it looks like Marvel will be filming a few scenes of the movie in the District in early 2013.
“We have the Captain America sequel that should be shooting here in the Spring of 2013,” Green said. “So we’re very excited about Marvel and Disney coming here for that.”
This means we could see Captain America chasing the bad guys in Adams Morgan, one of D.C.’s most colorful and eclectic neighborhoods.
Crystal Palmer, director of the DC Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, presented Adams Morgan along with D.C.‘s other interesting neighborhoods to the Marvel reps during their August scouting trip. Adams Morgan had its big screen moment in 2010 with How Do You Know, a James L. Brooks movie.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is on schedule to begin shooting in March next year for an April 4, 2014 release.
New Mexico ... Another Potential Filming Location?
I’ve also heard there’s a good possibility Captain America will be coming to New Mexico for filming as well. At this time, there’s no official announcement or press release on New Mexico yet. Will keep you posted.
Reel-Scout and the Film Offices
Reel-Scout’s proud to share that the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, the Ohio Film Office, the New Mexico Film Office, and the DC Office of Motion Picture and Television Development are all ... our friends and clients.