Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts is one of 2025’s most anticipated superhero movies, and fans are buzzing not just about its antihero team-up, but also about the film’s jaw-dropping filming locations. From futuristic skylines to rugged deserts, Thunderbolts takes viewers on a globe-trotting adventure with real-world backdrops that elevate every action sequence.
Thunderbolts Filming Locations: Full List and Details
| Location | Highlights & Key Scenes |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, Georgia | Trilith Studios, Atlanta Metro Studios, city streets |
| Emery & Grand Counties, Utah | Desert chases, standoffs, canyon action |
| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Merdeka 118 skyscraper, Medan Pasar market district |
| New York City (exteriors) | Real city shots, skyline, street backgrounds |
Atlanta, Georgia: Marvel’s Studio Powerhouse
- Trilith Studios & Atlanta Metro Studios: Atlanta remains Marvel’s go-to filming hub, offering massive sound stages for interior sets, VFX, and practical city recreations. For Thunderbolts, Atlanta stood in for New York City, with a full-scale recreation of 45th Street and the iconic Avengers Tower-reimagined as the “Watchtower”-built on set. The city’s diverse urban landscapes and top-tier production crews make it ideal for blockbuster filmmaking.
- Why Atlanta? Tax incentives, professional crews, and the ability to build anything from secret bases to high-tech labs make Atlanta a Marvel favorite.
Utah: Epic Desert Landscapes for High-Octane Action
- Emery & Grand Counties: The film’s most intense chase sequences and standoffs were shot in Utah’s breathtaking red-rock canyons and slot canyons. The production took over a mile-long desert road for two weeks, staging epic car chases and stunts in 100-degree heat. Utah’s unique, untouched landscapes provided a dramatic, grounded feel that CGI simply can’t match.
- Why Utah? The state’s rugged beauty and cinematic vistas are perfect for action scenes that need scale and authenticity. Nearby national parks like Goblin Valley and Arches add to the visual spectacle.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Futuristic Skylines and Gritty Streets
- Merdeka 118: The film opens with a showstopping parachute jump from Merdeka 118, the world’s second-tallest skyscraper. Florence Pugh performed the stunt herself, making for one of the MCU’s most memorable practical action moments.
- Medan Pasar: This historic market district provided the setting for gritty street sequences and explosive escapes. The production even staged a real explosion in the HSBC tower at the square, adding realism to the chaos.
- Why Kuala Lumpur? The city’s blend of colonial architecture and futuristic towers offers a fresh look for Marvel, plus Malaysia’s film incentives and unique locations are a major draw.
New York City: Real-World Energy
- While most urban scenes were filmed in Atlanta, Thunderbolts also features real New York City exteriors, helicopter shots, and street-level backgrounds for authenticity. These shots were later composited with Atlanta sets for seamless transitions.
Thunderbolts Filming Timeline: When Did Production Happen?
- Principal Photography: February 26 – June 19, 2024, across Atlanta, Utah, and Kuala Lumpur.
- Reshoots: December 2024, back in Atlanta to polish final scenes and action beats.
- Delays: The 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes pushed some filming into late 2024, but the team completed all key sequences on schedule.
Behind the Scenes: Fun Facts and On-Set Stories
- Florence Pugh’s Stunt: Pugh’s leap from Merdeka 118 was so daring that Marvel brought in three engineering firms to ensure safety. Weather delays and high winds added to the tension, but the result is a jaw-dropping practical effect.
- Utah Heat: Filming in 100-degree desert heat led to frequent car breakdowns and challenging conditions for cast and crew-but the golden-hour shots were worth every early morning.
- Local Flavor: Over 300 Atlanta locals appeared as extras, and the production left subtle MCU Easter eggs-like a Wakandan flag cameo in a street scene.
- Real Explosions: The team blew up a level of the HSBC tower in Kuala Lumpur for real, adding authenticity to the film’s explosive action.
Why These Locations? Marvel’s Strategy Explained
Marvel Studios chose these filming locations to bring a grounded, globe-trotting feel to Thunderbolts. The mix of practical sets, real-world cities, and natural landscapes gives the film a gritty, unpredictable edge-perfect for its team of antiheroes.
Thunderbolts Filming Locations: FAQs
Can fans visit these locations?
- Yes! Trilith Studios offers public tours in Atlanta, and Utah’s parks are open to visitors. Medan Pasar is a popular tourist spot in Kuala Lumpur, and Merdeka 118’s Skydeck provides panoramic city views.
Why didn’t Marvel use only CGI?
- Director Jake Schreier wanted a “grounded” look, using practical locations for realism and emotional impact-especially for action and chase scenes.
Were there delays due to Hollywood strikes?
- Yes, the 2023 strikes caused some delays, but the film wrapped all key scenes by late 2024.
Final Thoughts: Thunderbolts Filming Locations Set a New Standard
With its global filming approach, Thunderbolts delivers a visual feast that’s as fresh as its antihero cast. From Atlanta’s state-of-the-art studios to Utah’s wild deserts and Kuala Lumpur’s soaring skyscrapers, these locations are as much a star of the film as the cast itself.
If you’re planning a Marvel-inspired road trip or just love behind-the-scenes movie magic, these Thunderbolts filming locations should be at the top of your travel bucket list.
Thunderbolts hits theaters May 2, 2025-don’t miss the action, and keep this guide handy for your next adventure!
About Thunderbolts*
Thunderbolts* is an American superhero film based on Marvel Comics’ Thunderbolts. The 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will be produced by Marvel Studios and released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Jake Schreier directed the film, which was written by Eric Pearson, Lee Sung Jin, and Joanna Calo. The ensemble cast includes David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Olga Kurylenko, and Florence Pugh. In the film, a squad of antiheroes carry out government operations.
The film’s principal cast was unveiled in September, with additional casting continuing through early 2023. Lee, one of several creatives that returned to work with Schreier from the Netflix series Beef (2023), agreed to rewrite the film’s script by March 2023.
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