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Seoul to close major roads for ‘The Avengers’ shoot

March 18, 2014

avengers By Park Si-soo

Watch out, the Avengers are heading to Seoul!

When they came two years ago, they were digitally captured and saved the world, well on the big screen.

This time, the heroes, or hopefully some of them, will be in the heart of the capital. For Seoulites, they may have to brace for a little inconvenience from clearing the downtown area for action scenes.

Filming of some scenes for “Avengers: Age of Ultron” in Seoul locations will run from March 30 to April 14.

Locations include Mapo Grand Bridge, Cheongdam Grand Bridge, the Saebit Dungdungseom floating islets, Sangam Digital Media City, areas of Gangnam and Kaywon University of Art and Design in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province.

“Thank you the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for making the project possible,” said Mitchell Bell, the vice president of Marvel Studios, at the Press Center in downtown Seoul, Tuesday.

David Galluzzi, left, Marvel Studios’ chief counsel, applauds with, from second left, actress Kim Soo-hyun; Seo Yong-woo, executive director of the Gyeonggi Film Commission; and Lee Jang-ho, commissioner of the Seoul Film Commission, at the Press Center in Seoul, Tuesday. (Yonhap)

David Galluzzi, left, Marvel Studios’ chief counsel, applauds with actress Kim Soo-hyun at the Press Center in Seoul, Tuesday. (Yonhap)

Marvel signed a memorandum of understanding with the ministry and its five affiliated organizations, including the Korean Film Council, Korea Tourism Organization and Seoul Film Commission.

“Finding the right locations for the film was not easy,” he said. “Our team visited many places and selected Seoul because it’s a great place to film.” Bell said the ministry was very cooperative.

He said it had handled the administrative process “so quickly,” and added, “I promise we will make an amazing movie all of you will feel proud of.”

The film will be released globally in April 2015.

Vice Culture Minister Cho Hyun-jae expressed high expectations, saying that the Hollywood blockbuster will contribute to the domestic film industry and also to promoting Korea.

Other international locations for the movie include Johannesburg, South Africa; Aosta Valley, Italy; and London, according to the U.S. film studio.

The ministry plans to reimburse up to 30 percent of the company’s expenditure here under a state-funded incentive program.

Directed by Joss Whedon, the sequel retains its original iconic cast, which includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson. Korean actress Kim Soo-hyun is also featured.