Written by on Mar 7, 2011. Posted in Incentive News

The Avengers rejects Michigan for Ohio location filming over incentives uncertainty

In a high-profile case of incentives uncertainty scaring off major film productions, upcoming feature The Avengers has rejected a planned location shoot in Michigan for a better deal in Ohio. The film will also shoot in New Mexico and New York.

Location filming had originally been planned partly for Michigan owing to the state’s generous refundable or transferable tax credit worth up to 40% of eligible costs. Since the state governorship changed at the end of 2010, drastic reductions to the filming incentives have been proposed in a bid to cut public spending.

Since the Michigan state governorship changed at the end of 2010, drastic reductions to the filming incentives have been proposed in a bid to cut public spending.

Louis D’Esposito, Co-President of Marvel Studios, said: “Marvel Studios is bringing The Avengers to Ohio for two reasons: the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit and the efforts of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. We look forward to collaborating with the Film Commission and working in the great state of Ohio.”

The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit offers a refundable tax credit of up to 35% to eligible productions spending at least USD300,000 in the state.