The premiere of Jon Favreau’s 2008 filmIron Mankicked off theMarvel Cinematic Universe, an unparalleled franchise that completely revolutionized the film industry and the entire world. This universe, made up of movies, TV series, short films, and other productions, features heroes and villains from Marvel Comics, and soon became one of the highest-grossing franchises in history, boosting the popularity of the already well-known characters and launching the careers of dozens of actors to stardom. Currently, the MCU is going through its fifth phase, which began with the movieAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumanialast February. Earlier this month, this stage welcomedGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, a film that proved to be a box-office hit and earned rave reviews.
Naturally, MCU movies and TV series involve a great deal of CGI to achieve the awe-inspiring scenes that make it to the silver screen in productions such asThe Avengers,Black Panther,andDoctor Strange. However, despite their use of green screens and advanced technology, the filmmakers responsible for this cinematic universe also employ anumber of real locationsfor their films. As a result, the film crew and cast members are often required to travel to different venues around the world, and these become popular spots included in sightseeing tours and visited by fans who want to snap a picture where their movie idols have been. From restaurants to universities, passing through natural wonders and airports, here are 15 real locations that were used to film MCU movies.
15Shawarma Palace — The Avengers
The 2012 filmThe Avengerswas the one in which the now-loved superheroes joined forces for the first time as a team to defend New York City. Once they are done battling, and at Iron Man’s suggestion, the group wraps up the day by eating shawarma at a restaurant known as Shawarma Palace. This is a post-credits scene from the movie that was actually shot after the original premiere in order to add it before its wide release.
The location for this scene was Elat Burger, a Los Angeles restaurant that later changed its name to Shalom Grill. Of course, like many of the things featured in Marvel movies, shawarma became super popular afterThe Avengerswas released with sales soaring exponentially.
Related:Is the MCU About to Lose a Wealth of Talent to the DCU?
14Warrior Falls — Black Panther
Warrior Falls is a site inBlack Pantherwhere different characters duel in ritual combats for the crown of Wakanda, and although the main focus here are these tough battles, the audience can still appreciate the natural beauty in the background. While the scenes featuring the actors were shot in an Atlanta studio, the waterfall footage was captured at Iguazu Falls, the world’s longest waterfall system located between Argentina and Brazil.
13Xandar Plaza — Guardians of the Galaxy
TheGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy is one of the most CGI-intensive in the entire MCU. However, a few real locations have been used for these films. Early in the first installment, Peter Quill steals a mysterious Orb on Morag, which he later tries to sell on Xandar, capital of the Nova Empire. He is confronted by Gamora, which leads to an epic fight in Xandar Plaza that ends with them, Rocket and Groot being captured by Nova Corps officer and sent to prison. These fight scenes were filmed in Belgium, more precisely at the Liege-Guillemins Railway Station.
12Randy’s Donuts — Iron Man 2
In one of the most iconic scenes ofIron Man 2, Tony Stark is spotted wearing his Iron Man armor, eating donuts and drinking coffee while sitting on the giant donut sign located on the roof of Randy’s Donuts. Eventually, his peace is interrupted by Nick Fury, who brings him down to have a conversation and, subsequently, reveal Natasha Romanoff’s true identity.
This donut store exists in real life and bears the same name. It is located in Inglewood and was built in 1953 by Russell C. Wendell. Scenes inside the cafe, however, were shot at another California establishment called Yum Yum Donuts.
11Pier 13 — Captain America: The First Avenger
After Steve Rogers undergoes his transformation by being subjected to the super-soldier treatment, an undercover Hydra agent flees the place stealing the serum, which forces Steve to go looking for him. Thus, he chases the agent throughout Pier 13, although his efforts are in vain: once he catches him, the man commits suicide. These scenes fromCaptain America: The First Avengerwere shot outside the Titanic Hotel, located in Stanley Dock, Liverpool.
10Midtown High School — Spider-Man: Homecoming
Besides saving the world as Spider-Man, Peter Parker is just a teenager who, as any other, must attend school. For that reason, educational institutions are heavily present throughout alltheSpider-Manmovies. The superhero played by Tom Holland and his friends attend the fictional Midtown School of Science and Technology, located in Queens, New York City inSpider-Man: Homecoming. To shoot the hero’s scenes at school, filmmakers chose several schools in Atlanta and Brooklyn, including Henry W. Grady High School and Franklin K. Lane High School.
9Tower City Center, Cleveland, Ohio — The Avengers
In one particular scene fromThe Avengers, Loki intercepts a group of people in Germany, forces them to kneel before him and delivers a speech on how humankind was made to be ruled by other people. When an old man in the crowd rebels against Loki’s demands, he attempts to assassinate him to further display his power, though fortunately Captain America arrives to rescue the man. This scene was not actually shot in Germany, but at theTower City Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
8Culver University — The Incredible Hulk
As in Holland’sSpider-Mantrilogy, educational institutions also play a big role inThe Incredible Hulk, since, before his transformation, Bruce Banner worked as a nuclear physicist and biochemist at Culver University. This institution appears in many moments of this 2008 film, and it is also the setting for one of the film’s most epic battles. To create Culver University, filmmakers employed two real places in Toronto, Canada:University of Torontoand Morningside Park.
Related:Did the MCU Debut Thanos Too Soon?
7Leipzig-Halle Airport — Captain America: Civil War
Captain America: Civil Warbegins with The Avengers divided over the news that a United Nations panel would be put in charge of controlling the team: while Tony Stark supports this decision, Steve Rogers is against it, which results in them splitting into two parties. Eventually, all these superheroes find themselves in an epic fight at an airport, which also has its fair share of comedy. These scenes, which certainly involved a great deal of CGI, were filmed at the Leipzig-Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany.
6Hydra Research Base — Avengers: Age of Ultron
The 2015 filmAvengers: Age of Ultronkicks off with this group of superheroes battling in a Sokovia forest to access Hydra’s base in order to retrieve Loki’s scepter. Along the way they cross paths with Pietro and Wanda Maximoff, two of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker’s test subjects, and as a result of this encounter, Hawkeye ends up wounded. These opening scenes were shot in two different locations: exteriors were filmed in Ford Bard, Italy, while the scenes within the Hydra base were shot in Dover Castle, England.
