Marvel Studios Reportedly Leaving Georgia for UK, Shaking Up Local Film Industry

The Georgia film industry is facing one of its biggest shocks yet. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Marvel Studios is pulling its productions out of Georgia, shifting operations to the United Kingdom. The move could have a ripple effect across Metro Atlanta, where Marvel has spent more than a decade filming some of its most successful blockbusters.

From Black Panther to Thor: Ragnarok, Georgia—and particularly Trilith Studios in Fayette County—has been Marvel’s production home base in the U.S. But now, the pipeline of major projects may be coming to an end.

Local actors and crew are already feeling the change. Atlanta-based actor Matthew Cornwell, who appears in Captain America: Brave New World, says he has noticed a decline in opportunities since Marvel’s last project wrapped.

“There’s been a downtick, a substantially smaller number of auditions and projects here in the region,” Cornwell noted. Many actors, crew members, and small businesses that once depended on Marvel’s productions for steady work are now bracing for an uncertain future.

At the Trilith Studios campus—formerly known as Pinewood Atlanta Studios—Marvel filmed multiple billion-dollar hits, including Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame. The presence of these productions was felt far beyond the studio gates. Local restaurants and shops thrived when cast and crew were in town, with workers reporting more foot traffic and stronger sales during filming.

Georgia has long prided itself on having one of the most robust film tax credit programs in the United States, helping it grow into a top filming destination often referred to as the “Hollywood of the South.” But according to the Wall Street Journal, sources close to Marvel indicated that rising production costs contributed to the decision to relocate. Industry insiders note this is part of a broader trend, with some large-budget studios shifting operations overseas where they find financial or logistical advantages.

Despite the setback, Cornwell remains cautiously optimistic about Trilith’s future. “Based on what I’ve learned about Trilith and what their vision is for that community, I believe they will sustain and eventually thrive,” he said.

For Georgia’s film industry, the short-term impact is expected to be steep, particularly for workers and businesses that have come to rely on Marvel productions. Whether the state can attract other production giants to fill Marvel’s shoes remains to be seen.

Marvel Studios has not released an official statement regarding the reported move.