Marvel Abandons Georgia for UK Film Shoots — Striking a Blow to State's Movie Industry: 'Like a Jilted Lover'

The Shift of Marvel Studios from Georgia to the United Kingdom

Marvel Studios has made a significant shift in its production strategy, moving most of its operations out of Georgia and into the United Kingdom. This move has had a profound impact on Georgia’s film industry, leading to a dramatic decrease in spending and leaving many once-bustling soundstages empty.

Over the past decade, Marvel, known for hits like “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” filmed nearly two dozen projects in Atlanta. However, starting with this summer’s “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” the studio is shifting its superhero lineup — including two new “Avengers” films and the next “Spider-Man” — to facilities outside London.

While major studios like Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. Discovery had previously threatened boycotts over Georgia’s 2019 abortion law, some smaller productions left in protest. However, Marvel’s current decision to move to the UK is primarily driven by economic factors.

Economic Factors Behind the Move

Rising labor costs in Georgia have been a key factor in Marvel’s decision. In the UK, crews are paid less, and studios do not face the same health insurance expenses, making it more cost-effective to produce content overseas. A source familiar with the matter revealed these details to the Wall Street Journal.

The consequences of this shift have been severe. Georgia’s film and television spending has dropped by nearly 50% in three years, with only 245 projects filmed in the fiscal year ending June 2025 — down from 412 in 2022.

Impact on Film Workers

For many workers in Georgia’s film industry, the shift has been devastating. Janine Gosselin, a script supervisor who once earned $200,000 a year working on Marvel sets, has not had steady work since February 2024 and has resorted to borrowing from her retirement fund to cover bills.

The downturn has led to a sense of demoralization among film workers, who have even turned the state’s famous jingle into a joke. Crew members on the game show “25 Words or Less” sang new lyrics to the “Made in Georgia” tag earlier this year: “Unemployed in Georgia.”

Trilith Studios, Marvel’s longtime 1,000-acre production hub near Atlanta, has become quiet after years of nonstop demand. Lenzi Sealy, a location scout who worked on four Marvel projects, recalled the busy days when stages were constantly in demand. Now, she says, the lot is “largely empty.”

The Legacy of Marvel in Georgia

For local crews, Marvel was more than just another client — it was the cornerstone of the industry. The studio’s high-budget blockbusters employed hundreds at a time and kept workers busy year-round.

John Grubb, a grip who worked six Marvel films, described how the studio helped shape his career. He even calls his $350,000 home “the house ‘Avengers’ bought.”

The Rise and Fall of Georgia’s Film Industry

The rise of Georgia’s film industry began in 2008 when the state expanded its film tax credit to 30%, uncapped — making it one of the most generous in the world. This policy transformed Atlanta into the so-called “Hollywood of the South.”

Franchises such as Lionsgate’s “Hunger Games,” Universal’s “Fast & Furious,” Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” and AMC’s “The Walking Dead” rushed in. At its peak, the industry supported nearly 20,000 jobs, according to a 2023 Georgia State University study.

However, global economics have changed. Across the US, 29% fewer big-budget movies and shows began filming in 2024 compared to 2022, according to ProdPro. In the UK, that number increased by 16%. Other countries like Canada and Australia continue to attract projects, while states like California, New York, New Jersey, and Texas are enhancing their own incentives to compete.

Responses and Future Outlook

Lee Thomas, director of the Georgia Film Office, said rising labor costs have driven Marvel and others out of the state. She expressed hope that this is an anomaly and that Marvel may return to Georgia in the future.

Frank Patterson, CEO of Trilith Studios, is betting on a recovery, predicting a “new normal in 2027.” In the meantime, his company is investing in startups that create content exclusively on the studio’s stages.

The Georgia Film Office and Marvel have not yet responded to requests for comment.