Now that we've had an artsy first look at The Avengers: Age of Ultron during last night's broadcast of the Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe ABC special, anticipation for the 2015 installment is broader than ever. After already shooting a Hulk vs. Hulkbuster battle sequence in South Africa earlier this year, the Marvel production will be taking the action to South Korea later this month.
According to The Chosun Ilbo, about 15 to 20 minutes of the Marvel sequel will make up major battle and chase scenes set in Seoul, South Korea. More specifically, "The headquarters of a Korean IT institute on a small islet on the Han River will also play a central role as villainous robot Ultron tries to acquire state-of-the-art technology." In addition to Korean actress Kim Soo-hyun (Claudia Kim) playing a scientist at the said institute, the report further reveals that "The core scene set in Seoul involves Ultron laying parts of the city to waste." However, South Korea won't be just portrayed amid the Ultron-inflicted calamity: "A scene in which one of the characters, Iron Man, flies over the Digital Media City in Sangam-dong and Han River Park will show the harmony of nature and the modern beauty of Seoul," says a city official. What do you think?
In light of practical "chaotic blasts" during filming, typically, The Avengers: Age of Ultron will close several busy areas in Seoul, South Korea, starting March 30 until April 14. Production is also gearing up in Italy, where there will be scenes with "simulations of an earthquake or explosions." Of course, principle photography will start early next month in London, where an undisclosed U.K. woodland location is scheduled to double for "Sokovian woods, near Fortress [Bard?]" and it will also serve as a "lightly snowy" backdrop to a battle sequence between "three to four principal actors." Hmm.
The Avengers: Age of Ultron stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Cobie Smulders, Jeremy Renner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, with Paul Bettany, Samuel L. Jackson, and James Spader. The film is set for release on May 1, 2015.