It seems The Avengers: Age of Ultron is scheduled to start filming “action photography sequences” as soon as tomorrow, on February 11, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and its closing down several of the city's busiest streets in the process; typical Marvel fashion. However, the most intriguing bit of news comes from the city's Gauteng Film Commission. “The great thing about this movie is that they are shooting Johannesburg as Johannesburg,” said Desmond Mthembu. “Often you will find filmmakers will shoot in Johannesburg and portray the location as Los Angeles. This time around the first 10 minutes of the film will be of Johannesburg.” Does this lay to rest the instant speculation, hopes and wishes that Marvel's fictional African nation of Wakanda, and its beloved superhero native the Black Panther, would finally debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe next year? Most likely, but the possibility could still prevail through references or trinkets we don't know about.
Nonetheless, with the first 10 minutes of The Avengers: Age of Ultron set to occur in Johannesburg, South Africa, could this be the initial setting for Baron von Strucker, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver? It was previously reported that (spoiler alert) the villainous Strucker, played by Thomas Kretschmann, would be Earth's mightiest heroes' initial target at the beginning of The Avengers sequel and that he would somehow introduce the team to its newest potential recruits, Wanda and Pietro Maximoff.
Anyhow, to those affected by the Age of Ultron shoot in Johannesburg's Central Business District, make the jump here for specified road closures, filming times and dates. What do you think?
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.