UPDATE: It's official! Gov. Perdue has just announced that Iron Man 3 will be filming in Wilmington, NC.
Perdue said "Iron Man 3" will be the largest movie ever produced in North Carolina. She says it will bring 550 high-quality, well-paying jobs, 1,000 acting opportunities and pump $80 million into the local economy. - wwaytv3.com
Latino Review was the first to announce that Michigan had lost out on
Iron Man 3 to Wilmington, NC. Since then, nobody for the film industry of North Carolina or Marvel has confirmed that information. The lack of a confirmation is surely caused by the two sides needing to dot all their I's and cross all their T's.
Also, if the sources are accurate, the code name for
Iron Man 3 will be "Caged Heat." A name that is sure to invoke steamy imagery of a female prison, as that was the name of movie that gave late night Cinemax it's reputation.
wwaytv3.com
Gov. Bev Perdue has scheduled a 2:30 p.m. news conference for "an economic development announcement" at Screen Gems Studios.
In a news release, Screen Gems called said the governor "will announce exciting job and film industry news for EUE/Screen Gems Studios' Wilmington film production facility."
Sources told our affiliate station WTVD in Raleigh "Iron Man 3" will likely film in Wilmington and an announcement could come as early as today. Sources said the deal had not been signed as of last night.
starnewsonline.com
But Aaron Syrett, director of the N.C. Film Office, also sent out an email Wednesday evening to members of the state film council about the visit.
In the email, Syrett said they had been working diligently on "a very large project that all came together this evening," adding that Perdue would be addressing the media at EUE/Screen Gems studios at 2:30 p.m.
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo said earlier Wednesday afternoon that he hadn't received a confirmation from the governor's office about the nature of her appearance.
"Yes, it could be the ‘Iron Man 3' announcement," he said. He added that having the movie film in Wilmington would be a big deal. If "Iron Man 3" films here, "It will be the largest production ever done here in the city of Wilmington," Saffo said.
A call for crew members offers another sign that "Iron Man 3" may be about to land here. While the note describing the job opportunities names another production, recipients are hedging their bets that it's a fake moniker for a much bigger deal.
According to an email obtained by the StarNews, a production calling itself "Caged Heat" is shooting in Wilmington and unit production manager JoAnn Perritano is looking to staff an office now and a second "at some point."
"Though I will be bringing a POC (production office coordinator) from Los Angeles, there are many opportunities," the email states. "I will need APOCs (assistant production office coordinators), a travel coordinator, production secretaries and PAs (production assistants). I will be in town November 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I am hoping to meet potential crew at one point during that trip."
Wilmington Regional Film Commission Director Johnny Griffin declined to confirm if "Caged Heat" was a code name for "Iron Man 3" and said he could not offer additional information.
Perritano is listed on The Internet Movie Database as the past production manager for "The Amazing Spider-Man" (scheduled for release in 2012), "The Social Network" and "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," among others.
"Iron Man 3" is to be filmed next summer with an expected release date of May 2013.
Thanks for the heads up from
NCREB.