‘The Avengers’ movie, based on the beloved Marvel comic book series, is set to begin filming in Los Angeles in February, despite the fact that it’s set in New York. All interior shots will be filmed on sound stages in L.A., with only exterior shots being filmed in New York.

Initial reports are speculating that Marvel and director Joss Whedon choose to mainly shoot in L.A. for economic reasons. Further rumors speculate that it’s also easier to assemble the large A-list cast, including Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo and Chris Evans, in L.A.

However, New York is currently offering a higher tax credit of 30 percent over California’s 25 percent. While the five percent difference might not make much of a difference for a film with such an expensive budget, Marvel reportedly likes the fact that a majority of its actors already have houses in L.A. Therefore, executives don’t have to pay to house them. Also, they liked the fact that L.A. has more studio space than New York.

Written by: Karen Benardello