Marvel Studios has decided to shoot its next four productions in the Los Angeles area at Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach, California.  The four films are Iron Man 2 (set to debut May 7th, 2010), Thor (July 16th, 2010), The First Avenger: Captain America (May 6, 2011), and The Avengers (July 15, 2011). 

In late July Iron Man director Jon Favreau began campaigning for the California legislature to provide tax incentives to keep the production of Marvel’s movies in the state.  Although the cash-strapped state of California has not yet created any incentives to stop runaway productions, Marvel has now made a firm commitment to shoot in the L.A. area. 

Marvel Studio’s decision to shoot at Raleigh studios appears to have been based on accommodations made by the studio’s Hollywood partners.  As Louis D’Esposito, Marvel’s President of Physical Production, put it: “All of our production partners on these upcoming films have been incredibly accommodating in terms of their creativity and financial structures, allowing us to remain in California.” 

The deal makes Marvel the largest tenant on the Raleigh lot.  Marvel Studios also plans to move its Beverly Hills-based executive and production offices to Raleigh’s facility in Manhattan Beach.  Favreau, who is very family-oriented and has a clause in his contract that insures that the productions he directs are close to home, obviously also played a role in keeping the Marvel Studios productions in the L.A. area.  The Favreau-helmed Iron Man was a huge hit and Marvel Studios was obviously loath to break up the highly successful Iron Man team, so it is quite possible that keeping Favreau on board was another major incentive for Marvel to keep its productions local.