Locations
Earth
- The Avengers Compound, [1] [2] also known as the New Avengers Facility, [3] is the primary base of operations of the Avengers and is located on the coast of the Hudson River in Upstate New York. Originally a warehouse owned by Stark Industries used to store equipment, in 2015, it is transformed into the new headquarters of the Avengers. In 2023, it is destroyed by an alternate version of Thanos with its ruins serving as the battleground for the subsequent Battle of Earth. [4] The interior of the facility was digitally created by Method Studios in Avengers: Age of Ultron . [5] Porsche's headquarters at Aerotropolis Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia doubled as the compound in Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming , [6] with Trixter completely redesigning the facility for its appearance in Homecoming. [7]
- Avengers Tower (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name), [8] formerly known as Stark Tower, is a skyscraper located in Manhattan, New York City. [9] The building is originally owned by Stark Industries before serving as the headquarters of the Avengers until the Battle of Sokovia. [10] Tony Stark later sells the building to an unnamed buyer, [11] whose identity remains unknown as of Hawkeye . [12] Alternate versions of the building are seen in the Void and a universe where Ultron defeats the Avengers. [13] [14] Avengers: Age of Ultron production designer Charles Wood built an enormous set for the film, one of the largest sets ever built for an MCU film, which featured multiple connected environments and levels. [15]
- Brooklyn Antiques is an antique shop in Brooklyn, New York which served as a front for the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR), where Dr. Abraham Erskine and Howard Stark worked on Project Rebirth. In 1943, Steve Rogers is selected to be injected with Erskine's Super Soldier Serum, but Hydra mole Heinz Kruger kills Erskine before attempting to escape from the shop. In 2010, the car chase scene in Captain America: The First Avenger was filmed on Dale Street in the Northern Quarter, Manchester. [16] Producers chose Manchester because of its resemblance to 1940s New York City with its high buildings dating from pre-World War II and the site is a shortlisted UNESCO World Heritage Site. [17]
- Camp Lehigh is a military training facility located in the fictional town of Wheaton, New Jersey formerly belonging to the United States Army which also acts as one of the bases of the Strategic Scientific Reserve during World War II. Following the war, it is taken over by S.H.I.E.L.D., with Howard Stark and Hank Pym performing research there while Arnim Zola secretly uploads his consciousness into a series of computers. [18] In 2014, the camp is destroyed by a S.H.I.E.L.D. missile sent by Hydra. Years later, it is rebuilt and in 2025, hosts the first AvengerCon, attended by Kamala Khan.
- Clint Barton's farmhouse, also known as the "safe house", is the private residence of Clint Barton and his family. In 2015, Barton brings the Avengers to his house in order to take refuge. They are joined by Nick Fury who gives them a motivational talk. Sometime after, the family relocates to another house. In 2018, Barton's family fall victim to the Blip outside the house. In 2023, Barton returns to his house and is reunited with his restored family. In 2024, Barton brings Kate Bishop and her dog, Lucky, to the house to celebrate Christmas with his family.[ citation needed ]
- Culver University is a fictional university in Willowdale, West Virginia. Some notable former students include Jane Foster, Roger Harrington, [19] and Darcy Lewis, [20] while some notable former faculty include Bruce Banner, Betty Ross, and Erik Selvig. [21] Action sequences set at the university in The Incredible Hulk were filmed at the University of Toronto and Morningside Park, Toronto. [22]
- The Golden Dagger Club [23] (based on the Golden Daggers sect from the Marvel Comics) is an underground fight club located in Macau, China. [24] The club was founded by Xialing when she was sixteen years old after running away from the Ten Rings organization. The club makes its income from livestreaming its fights onto the dark web, with several of its participants having included Black Widows, Extremis soldiers, Emil Blonsky, and Wong. Shang-Chi is tricked into visiting the club by Wenwu, who raids the club with his men to capture his children and Katy.
- Gulmira is a fictional city in Afghanistan and the hometown of Ho Yinsen. In 2008, following numerous terrorist attacks by the Ten Rings, Tony Stark dons his newly-built Iron Man Mark III armor and flies to the town, where he kills several terrorists and destroys an arsenal of Jericho Missiles nearby. Stark then leaves the town and begins flying back to the United States, but is intercepted by two F-22 Raptors sent by the U.S. Air Force. At the same time, James Rhodes calls Stark and informs him of the incident in Gulmira. Stark initially denies his involvement, claiming that he was "driving with the top down", but later confesses that he was wearing the Iron Man armor before narrowly escaping, prompting Rhodes to cover-up the incident by announcing to the public that it was a "training exercise".[ citation needed ]
- The Hammer Industries Headquarters is the main headquarters of Hammer Industries, located in Queens, New York. In 2010, Justin Hammer invites Ivan Vanko to the headquarters, hoping to work with him to take down his rival Tony Stark. Natasha Romanoff and Happy Hogan later infiltrate the headquarters and take down several guards. The SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California served as the set for the facility in Iron Man 2 . [25]
- The Hydra Research Base in Sokovia is a research facility operated by Hydra, where Wanda and Pietro Maximoff were experimented on by Hydra and exposed to the Mind Stone, which amplified Wanda's magical powers and granted Pietro superhuman abilities. Scenes set in the facility in Avengers: Age of Ultron were filmed at Fort Bard in Bard, Italy, [26] [27] as well as Dover Castle in Dover, Kent, England. [28] [29]
- The Joint Dark Energy Mission Facility is a top secret research facility used by S.H.I.E.L.D. and NASA to study the Tesseract as part of Project Pegasus. [30] In 1995, Carol Danvers and Nick Fury infiltrate the base and discover Danvers' involvement testing an experimental light-speed engine powered by the Tesseract designed by Dr. Wendy Lawson. It is eventually destroyed in 2012 by the energy emitted by the Tesseract after Loki's arrival at the facility.
- Kamar-Taj (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is the main headquarters of the Masters of the Mystic Arts and is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. [31] It is visited by Stephen Strange in search for a cure for his hands after they were severely injured by a car accident. Its libraries contain many books on the mystic arts, including the Book of Cagliostro , Maxim's Primer, Book of the Invisible Sun, Codex imperium, Astronomia nova , and The Key of Solomon . [32] The location of Kamar-Taj was changed from Tibet to Nepal to prevent censorship by the Chinese government. [33] [34] For Doctor Strange , the interior of the building was constructed at Longcross Studios in Surrey, England before being integrated into a real building in Kathmandu. [35]
- Madripoor (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is a fictional island city-state in the Indonesian archipelago that is controlled by the Power Broker, and inhabited by several criminals. Sharon Carter is revealed to have been living luxuriously there as a dealer in stolen art since the Sokovia Accords, afraid to go back to the U.S. for fear of arrest. The island is divided into two parts, the wealthy Hightown and the deprived Lowtown.[ citation needed ]
- The Midtown School of Science and Technology (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is a STEM-focused fictional high school in Queens, New York City. [36] [37] Its students include Peter Parker, Ned Leeds, Michelle Jones-Watson, Flash Thompson, Betty Brant, Jason Ionello, Liz, Cindy Moon, Seymour O'Reilly, Tiny McKeever, Charles Murphy, Abe Brown, Sally Avril, Brad Davis, Zach Cooper, and Josh Scarino. Faculty includes Roger Harrington, [38] Coach Wilson, Mr. Cobbwell, Monica Warren, Barry Hapgood, and Julius Dell. The school's principal is Principal Morita, who is shown to be a descendant of Howling Commandos member Jim Morita. [39] Henry W. Grady High School in Atlanta, Van Nuys High School and Reseda High School in Los Angeles, as well as Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn doubled as the school in Spider-Man: Homecoming. [40] [41] [42] To change the setting from the Atlanta set to Queens, Trixter created a CGI model of the school and added 360-degree matte paintings. [7]
- Mount Wundagore (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name), is a mountain which holds the power of the Darkhold and features a shrine dedicated to the Scarlet Witch. [43] After the Darkhold is destroyed. Wanda Maximoff forces Wong to lead her to Wundagore, allowing her to dream-walk into the body of her Earth-838 self and be with that universe's versions of Billy and Tommy Maximoff. After seeing Billy and Tommy recoiling in horror at her corruption, she uses her powers to bring down Wundagore, sacrificing and killing herself in the process.
- New Asgard, formerly Tønsberg , is a village in Norway which housed the Tesseract for centuries until Johann Schmidt stole it during World War II. [45] The town is also where Odin resides in his final days after being banished by Loki. Following the Blip, the town is renamed New Asgard and serves as a refuge for the surviving Asgardians and other inhabitants of the Nine Realms. It is recognized by the UN as a city-state, is led by Valkyrie, and has tourist attractions memorializing Asgard's history such as an ice cream parlour named the "Infinity Conez." [44]
- The New York Sanctum (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) in Greenwich Village, New York City is one of the three Sanctum Sanctorums on Earth. Located on 177A Bleecker Street, [46] [47] it is used by the Masters of the Mystic Arts to store various relics and serves as one of their bases, formerly guarded by Daniel Drumm until he is replaced by Stephen Strange following his death. In 2017, Strange detains Loki and invites Thor to the Sanctum, directing him to his father Odin. In 2018, following his escape from the Statesman , Bruce Banner crash lands in the New York Sanctum and meets Strange and Wong. Strange and Wong then discuss the threat with Banner and Tony Stark. [48] In 2024, the Sanctum becomes covered in snow temporarily. It is also visited by Peter Parker who requests Strange's help, in which he performs a memory removing spell. After the spell goes wrong, Strange tasks Parker and his friends to retrieve multiversal displaced people and bring them to the Sanctum. [49] Also, in 2024, Strange along with América Chávez visit Earth-838 New York Sanctum which has a statue of a deceased Strange and is protected by the Sorcerer Supreme from that universe, Karl Modo. [50] A set for the building was constructed at Longcross Studios in Surrey, England for Doctor Strange, which was also used in Thor: Ragnarok before it was demolished. [35] [51]
- Puente Antiguo is a fictional town in New Mexico where in 2010, astrophysicist Jane Foster, her intern Darcy Lewis, and her mentor Erik Selvig were studying atmospheric disturbances when they encounter Thor arriving via the Bifröst. Upon learning of Mjölnir's location nearby, Thor storms the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility surrounding the hammer before being arrested by Phil Coulson. Later, following the arrival of Sif and the Warriors Three, the town becomes the battleground for a fight between Thor and the Destroyer, who had been sent by his brother Loki. In 2013, Foster moves back to the town with Thor and they pursue their relationship. However, in 2015, they break up and Thor leaves the town. In 2023, after the Blip, Foster learns she has stage 4 cancer and receives treatments at the hospital. In 2024, Foster continues the treatments but they prove to not be helping her. Cerro Pelon Ranch in Galisteo, New Mexico doubled as the city in Thor , [52] which was extensively modified for the film. [53] [54]
- The Pym Technology Headquarters is the main headquarters of Pym Technologies, located on Treasure Island, San Francisco. It is destroyed by Scott Lang during his fight with Darren Cross. The Georgia Archives building in Downtown Atlanta doubled as the building in Ant-Man . [55] [56]
- The Raft (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is a maximum security prison, with Thaddeus Ross serving as warden. Sam Wilson, Wanda Maximoff, Clint Barton, and Scott Lang are remanded to the prison after helping Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes evade capture, thus violating the Sokovia Accords. However, they are later broken out by Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff, though Barton and Lang wished to return to their families under house arrest. In 2018, Trish Walker and Willis Stryker are imprisoned in the Raft after going on respective killing sprees. In 2024, days following his escape from a prison in Berlin, the Dora Milaje of Wakanda detain Helmut Zemo to the Raft via the Royal Talon Fighter. [57] Designed to hold super-powered individuals, the prison is located deep in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. [58] [59]
- The Red Room is a large aerial facility which acted as the primary base of the program of the same name, led by General Dreykov. It is also the site where Black Widows are brainwashed and trained to become elite assassins. [61] It is destroyed in 2016 after Melina Vostokoff took down one of its engines. Visual effects for the facility in Black Widow were provided by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Digital Domain, who also worked on the final battle and skydiving sequences. [62] [63] Digital Domain referenced Stalinist architecture, such as the Ostankino Tower in Moscow, when designing the Red Room, [60] while the filmmakers hired military consultants to ensure the practicality of the facility. [64]
- Rose Hill is a fictional town in Tennessee where Tony Stark is forced to stay in after his armor ran out of power. It is also the hometown of Harley Keener, a child who aided Stark in repairing his suit and later attended his funeral. The fictional town is named after the city of the same name in North Carolina where portions of Iron Man 3 were filmed. [65]
- Sokovia (Соковиja, Sokovija) is a fictional landlocked country in Eastern Europe, using not Latin but Cyrillic script, strangely located (thus must be not larger than Duchy of Luxembourg), between Central Europe countries: Slovakia and the Czech Republic, that both use Latin alphabet for around a millennium. Fictional Sokovia is the home of Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, as well as Helmut Zemo. The United States initiated a bombing campaign against the country to stabilize and secure peace with Stark Industries-manufactured bombs, killing Wanda and Pietro Maximoff's parents. Additionally, Mary Walker and her U.S. Army squad were ambushed by the Sokovian Armed Forces, with almost all of them murdered. During the Hydra uprising, Hydra sets up a research facility in Sokovia, where they conduct experiments on the Maximoff twins using Loki's scepter. The country later serves as the battleground for a conflict between the Avengers and Ultron, which results in the destruction of the country's capital city, Novi Grad, as well as the ratification of the Sokovia Accords. The country is annexed by the surrounding countries soon after. [66] Scenes set in the city were filmed in the Aosta Valley region in Italy in Avengers: Age of Ultron, [67] in which local storefronts were replaced with Cyrillic script. [68] Hendon Police College, a training facility for London's Metropolitan Police Service was also used to portray a city in Sokovia. [69]
- The Stark Eco-Compound [70] is the residence of Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, and their daughter, Morgan Stark. Located in the countryside of Upstate New York, [1] it is built by Tony Stark shortly after his marriage with Potts, and he lived there until his death in 2023. His funeral is also held in front of his residence.
- The Stark Expo, also known as the World Exposition of Tomorrow, is an exposition located at the Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City. Started by Tony Stark's father, Howard, it brings together great minds and showcases new technology. [71] [72] [73] Past attendees include Phineas Horton (showcasing his Synthetic Man) and Peter Parker. [74]
- The Stark Mansion is the private residence of Tony Stark, located at 10880 Malibu Point, Malibu, California. It is destroyed by Aldrich Killian (posing as the Mandarin) in a missile attack. The mansion's exterior shots in Iron Man were digitally added to footage of Point Dume in Malibu, [75] while its interior shots were filmed at soundstages in Playa Vista, Los Angeles. [76]
- Talokan (based on Atlantis and Tlālōcān from Aztec mythology) is an underwater kingdom in the Atlantic Ocean ruled by Namor that is populated by the Talokanil located in the Gulf of Mexico.[ citation needed ]
- The Ten Rings Headquarters is the main base of operations of the Ten Rings criminal organization, located on an unknown mountaintop in China. The compound was founded a thousand years ago by Wenwu during his early years as a warlord, and also served as his personal retreat for him and his family, with Shang-Chi and Xialing having spent their childhoods there. The compound includes a throne room, training grounds for its warriors, a library housed with relics of Ta Lo, a dungeon, and an underground parking lot. After Xialing assumes leadership of the Ten Rings, she redecorates the compound with graffiti reminiscent of her Golden Dagger Club.[ citation needed ]
- The Triskelion is a compound located on Little Island, Washington, D.C. south of the Theodore Roosevelt Island at the foot of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge which acted as the main base of operations for S.H.I.E.L.D. The base is taken over by Hydra during their uprising from within S.H.I.E.L.D. to use three weaponized Helicarriers to kill people they deem to be threats. It is later destroyed by a disabled Helicarrier. While most shots of Washington, D.C. in Captain America: The Winter Soldier were digitally created due to numerous flight restrictions in the city, aerial footage of the city was used for live-action plate photography for shots which involved the Triskelion. [77]
- Wakanda (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name), officially the Kingdom of Wakanda, is a highly advanced fictional African nation that formerly posed as a struggling third world country before it is opened up to the world by T'Challa. Its capital city is Birnin Zana, also known as the Golden City. The main language is Xhosa, though its civilians also speak English. [79] It consists of lush river valleys, mountain ranges rich in natural resources, and a capital city that integrates space-age technology with traditional designs. Wakanda consists of six tribes: the Golden Tribe, the River Tribe, the Mining Tribe, the Merchant Tribe, the Border Tribe, and the Jabari Tribe. The country has been noted for its Afrofuturism, [80] [81] [82] with the country cited as a possible example of how African nations might have developed in the absence of European colonialism. [83] [84] [85]
- Westview is a fictional town in New Jersey. Prior to the Blip, a plot of land in the town is purchased by the Vision and Wanda Maximoff, but the Vision is killed soon after by Thanos. When Maximoff arrives at the plot of land, she inadvertently creates an anomaly around the town, placing almost all of its inhabitants under mind control, transforming objects on a molecular level, and broadcasting a sitcom titled WandaVision . Dubbed "the Hex" by Darcy Lewis, Monica Rambeau gains superhuman abilities after passing through the barrier three times, while simulacrums of Billy Maximoff, Tommy Maximoff, and the Vision are created. When Agatha Harkness attacks Maximoff, she destroys the boundary, the residents escape, and Wanda's children and Vision disintegrate. The town was named as a reference to Feige's hometown of Westfield, New Jersey, but with the initials "W" and "V". [86]
Space
- Contraxia is an ice planet which is commonly visited by the Ravagers as a place to relax, especially at the Iron Lotus brothel. Sometime in 2014, Stakar Ogord comes across Yondu on Contraxia, while Howard the Duck also appears in the bar. A set for the Iron Lotus was built at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, which Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 production designer Scott Chambliss sought to make it appear to have been put together from "repurposed junk", creating a "neon jungle" covered in ice and snow. [87]
- Counter-Earth (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) also known as Halfworld, was an artificial planet located in the Keystone Quadrant. It was designed by the High Evolutionary as a replication of Earth and was inhabited by the Humanimals.
- Ego's planet (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is a living mass of matter that the Celestial Ego formed around himself thousands of years ago, causing him to resemble a large red planet with a face. The planet is destroyed by a bomb planted by the Guardians of the Galaxy in Ego's brain, and is also destroyed by Ultron in an alternate reality. [14] Visual effects of the planet in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 were provided by Animal Logic, Method Studios, and Weta Digital. Weta and Animal Logic's work were heavily based on fractal art, including Apollonian gaskets and Mandelbulbs, [88] [89] and was described by director James Gunn as "the biggest visual effect of all time". [90]
- The Garden, [91] also known as Planet 0259-S [92] and Titan II, [93] is a greenfield planet where Thanos resides following his "retirement". After fulfilling his lifelong goal of wiping out half of the Universe, he teleports to the planet and smiles at the sunrise as he reflects on his success. Three weeks later, the Avengers travel there and Thor decapitates him upon learning that he had destroyed the Infinity Stones.
- Knowhere (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is the severed head of an ancient deceased Celestial which acts as the homeworld of the Exitar mining colony, founded by Taneleer Tivan, the Collector. In 2014, Knowhere is visited by the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive who try to sell the Power Stone to the Collector, but after an explosion caused by the Stone, the Collector's museum is destroyed. Shortly after, Ronan the Accuser and his enforcers arrive and the Guardians leave. In 2018, Knowhere is attacked by Thanos who acquires the Reality Stone. In 2025, Knowhere is purchased by the Guardians from Tivan, who begin to renovate it into their new headquarters. They host a Christmas celebration for their leader, Peter Quill by bringing Kevin Bacon there. In 2026, Knowhere has become a mobile city. It comes under attack from the High Evolutionary's Hellspawn and becomes the safe haven for the captured animals and engineered children. Nebula decides to take leadership over Knowhere. [94] In an alternate reality, Star-Lord T'Challa leads the Ravagers on a mission against the Collector on Knowhere. [95] Visual effects of the planet were created by Framestore. [96]
- The Kyln (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is a high-security prison run by the Nova Corps. The Guardians of the Galaxy are brought together in the prison and execute an escape plan, with Ronan ordering Nebula to massacre all of its inhabitants upon learning of Gamora's escape. Visual effects of the prison were created by Framestore. [96]
- Lamentis-1 is a purple-hued moon that is destroyed by a nearby planet in the year 2077. Loki and Sylvie arrive on the moon through a Time Door, but are unable to escape due to their TemPad having run out of power. After failing to board an Ark to escape, they are rescued and recaptured by the TVA. Loki production designer Kasra Farahani opted to build an enormous practical set piece of the town Sharoo instead of using Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)'s StageCraft technology, [97] implementing a "blocky ziggurat language" and using black-light paint to distinguish it from other alien worlds in the MCU. [98] Visual effects for the moon were provided by Digital Domain, who also considered making the planet "a lush world covered in greenery", one "dominated by massive oceans", and one containing a molten core which later implodes. [99]
- Morag is an abandoned ocean planet located in the Andromeda Galaxy, with its oceans only receding to expose its landmasses every 300 years. In 2014, Peter Quill arrives on the planet to obtain the Orb, a mission that is replicated by Star-Lord T'Challa in an alternate reality. [95] In 2023, James Rhodes and Nebula time-travel to 2014 Morag and knock Peter Quill out before acquiring the Orb. Visual effects of the planet in Guardians of the Galaxy were created by Moving Picture Company (MPC). [96]
- Sakaar (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is a planet ruled by the Grandmaster, who holds his Contest of Champions on the planet. In 2015, it was visited by Bruce Banner and in 2017, by Thor and Loki. In 2025, it is visited again by Banner, who retrieves his son, Skaar. In an alternate universe, the planet is destroyed by Ultron. [14] The art of Thor co-creator Jack Kirby served as one of the primary inspirations for Sakaar's depiction in Thor: Ragnarok , [100] and was described by executive producer Brad Winderbaum as "the toilet of the Universe" surrounded by an endless number of wormholes. [101] A set for the planet was constructed at the Village Roadshow Studios in Oxenford, Queensland, including the Grandmaster's palace and the surrounding junkyard. [102] Visual effects for the planet's junkyard landscape and wormholes were created by Double Negative and Digital Domain. [103] A Sakaarian national anthem is featured in an unused version of the second post-credits scene of Ragnarok, which was improvised by Jeff Goldblum and Waititi. [104]
- The Sanctuary is an asteroid field inhabited by the Chitauri which acts as the domain of Thanos, where he gives orders to The Other and Ronan. Visual effects of the location were created by Digital Domain in The Avengers . [105]
- The Sovereign is an amalgamation of planets artificially fused together which serves as the homeworld to the genetically-engineered species of the same name. Powered by Anulax Batteries, it is ruled by Ayesha. The amalgamation is destroyed by Ultron in an alternate reality. [14] Visual effects for Ayesha's lair in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 were provided by Framestore, [106] while Luma Pictures worked on the Sovereign world and its people. [88] A set for the planet was also built at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, which employed a "1950s pulp fiction variation on 1930s art deco design aesthetic". [87]
- Titan (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is an exoplanet and the homeworld of Thanos before its inhabitants were wiped out from overpopulation. [107] In 2018, Tony Stark, Peter Parker, and Stephen Strange ally with the Guardians of the Galaxy to confront Thanos, who acquires the Time Stone following a battle and teleports to Wakanda. In 2023, Parker, Strange, and the Guardians depart Titan through a portal. In an alternate 2018, in the 838 universe, the Illuminati kill Thanos on Titan, and then kill that universe's version of Stephen Strange after he is corrupted by the Darkhold. [108]
- Vormir (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is a barren planet and the location of the Soul Stone, which is guarded by the Red Skull. In 2018, Thanos coerces Gamora into revealing the Stone's location before teleporting there, where she is sacrificed for Thanos to obtain the Stone. Similarly, Natasha Romanoff sacrifices herself in 2023 for Clint Barton to acquire the Stone.
- Xandar (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is the capital of the Nova Empire and home of the Nova Corps. In 2014, Ronan attacks Xandar in retaliation for the Kree–Nova War, killing most of the Nova Corps before being defeated by the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Ravagers. It is later decimated by Thanos in 2018, an event replicated by Ultron in an alternate reality. [14] Scenes set on the planet in Guardians of the Galaxy were filmed at Millennium Bridge, London, [109] [110] while visual effects were done by Moving Picture Company (MPC). [96]
Nine Realms
- Asgard (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is a small, flat planetary body and the home of the Asgardians. It is destroyed by Surtur. Double Negative embedded a computer-generated rendering of Asgard onto footage of the coast of Norway filmed with an Arri Alexa camera in a helicopter in Thor: The Dark World . [111] For its appearance in Thor: Ragnarok , production designer Dan Hennah sought to give the realm "more of a humanity" than in previous films by adding smaller building perspectives, making it appear more practical and utilitarian. [112] A set for the realm was constructed at the Village Roadshow Studios in Oxenford, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, based on the aesthetics of previous Thor films, [102] while visual effects were provided by Framestore based on assets Double Negative had from The Dark World. [103]
- The Rainbow Bridge is a long magical bridge that runs from the center of Asgard to the edge, connecting the Royal Palace of Valaskjalf to Himinbjörg, the generator of the Bifröst Bridge. In 2011, the Rainbow Bridge is destroyed by Thor, but is later repaired by Heimdall using the power of the Tesseract.
- Odin's vault, also known as Odin's treasure room, is a room in the Royal Palace of Valaskjalf that contained many powerful and magical artifacts, including a replica of the Infinity Gauntlet, the Eternal Flame, the Casket of Ancient Winters, and the Tesseract.
- Hel (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is a region in Niflheim that serves as the home of the dead. After Hela is banished there by her father, Odin, she attempts to escape and slaughters almost all of the Valkyrie, only to be defeated by Odin once again. The flashback sequence in Thor: Ragnarok featuring the Valkyrie was produced by Rising Sun Pictures, who achieved its surreal ethereal appearance through a combination of motion capture, computer graphics, a 900 fps frame rate, and a special 360-degree lighting rig containing 200 strobe lights. [113]
- Jotunheim (based on the Norse mythological location of the same name) is an icy planet that is home of the Frost Giants and the birthplace of Loki. Visual effects for the planet were created by Digital Domain in Thor , who were sent paintings from classic studies by J. M. W. Turner by director Kenneth Branagh. [114]
- Muspelheim (based on the Norse mythological location of the same name) is a fiery realm that is home to the Fire Demons, most notably Surtur. Two years following the Battle of Sokovia, Thor journeys there to confront Surtur on Ragnarök before killing him. Thor: Ragnarok production designer Dan Hennah described the realm as a Dyson sphere which draws power out of a dying star to energize its inhabitants. [115]
- Nidavellir (based on the Norse mythological location of the same name) is an Alderson disk surrounding a dying star, inhabited by gigantic Dwarves who served as blacksmiths for the Asgardians, forging weapons such as Mjölnir, Stormbreaker, and the Infinity Gauntlet out of uru. Sometime between 2014 and 2015, Thanos visits the forge, forcing the Dwarves to make the Infinity Gauntlet before slaughtering them and smelting Eitri's hands. Thor, Groot, and Rocket visit the forge several years later, aiding Eitri in creating Stormbreaker.
- Svartalfheim (based on the Norse mythological location of the same name), also known as the Dark World, is a planet that is wreathed in perpetual darkness and ruled by the Dark Elves, led by Malekith the Accursed. Visual effects of Thor: The Dark World's prologue scene were done by Blur Studio, and mainly consisted of CGI with live-action shots interwoven throughout. [111] Subsequent scenes in the film were shot in Iceland, with Double Negative adding ruins, mountains, Dark Elf ships, and skies. [111]
- Midgard (based on the Norse mythological location of the same name), is another name for Earth.
Multiverse
Dimensions
- The Astral Dimension (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name), also known as the Astral plane , is a dimension in which the soul resides outside the body. It is mainly featured in the form of astral projection in Doctor Strange when the Ancient One pushes Stephen Strange's astral form out of his body. The fight sequence in Doctor Strange between Stephen Strange and a Zealot's astral forms was the first scene in the film written by director Scott Derrickson, who was inspired by the comic Doctor Strange: The Oath . [116] Visual effects for scenes set in the dimension were provided by Framestore, who described the process as "one of the hardest effects [they've] had to deal with". [117] This imagery is reused in Avengers: Endgame , WandaVision , Spider-Man: No Way Home , and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness . The Astral Dimension is also connected to the MCU's afterlife, which is interpreted as being a subjective reality depending on the belief system of the individual. In Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever , the Ancestral Plane is a location where deceased Wakandans reside, specifically those who have worn the mantle of Black Panther. The living are able to communicate with these past rulers upon ingestion of the heart-shaped herb. In Moon Knight , the Duat is the name for the Egyptian perspective of the afterlife, where the goddess Taweret ferries Marc Spector and Steven Grant across an ocean of sand to reach the Field of Reeds. If a person's heart does not balance against the Feather of Truth, they are consumed by other lost souls in the sands. Spector and Grant make it back to the real world through the Gates of Osiris. In Thor: Love and Thunder , Valhalla is revealed to be the Asgardian afterlife.
- The Citadel at the End of Time is a castle atop an asteroid at the end of time where He Who Remains resides and watches over the Sacred Timeline, which orbits the place. Carved in situ from the asteroid and made a "black stone with gold vein embellishments", the Citadel is mostly abandoned except for He Who Remains' office, with Loki production designer Kasra Farahani intending to reflect the loneliness of He Who Remains. Outside his office, there are also numerous 13-foot-tall statues of "sentinels of time" in the "Hall of Heroes", each holding half of an hourglass. A nebula outside the window and a fireplace were used as light sources in He's office. [119] The design and architecture of the Citadel was inspired by Hearst Castle and compared to Sunset Boulevard. [118] [120] The Production Designer for Loki was inspired by the Japanese repair technique Kintsugi as it uses gold to repair cracks in broken pottery. [121]
- The Dark Dimension (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name) is a timeless dimension inhabited by Dormammu. It is an amalgamation of itself and all other dimensions Dormammu had conquered and absorbed into it. Stephen Strange visits it to bargain with Dormammu after Kaecilius contacts it to absorb the Earth. Years later, Clea, who reigns from the dimension, recruits Strange to help save it from an incursion. Visual effects of the dimension in Doctor Strange were provided by Method Studios and Luma Pictures. [117] Doctor Strange visual effects supervisor Stephane Ceretti described the Dark Dimension as a "dynamic environment", with the Luma team using art by Steve Ditko as a reference. [122]
- The Mirror Dimension is a dimension which causes the surroundings to be reflected in different directions, similar to the function of a mirror, without affecting the real world. Due to its nature, it is used by the sorcerers for training and controlling threats. The Ancient One uses it during the Battle of New York, while Stephen Strange uses it against Kaecilius, Thanos, Peter Parker, and Wanda Maximoff. According to Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson, the action sequences set in the dimension is an attempt to take Inception "to the Nth degree and take it way more surreal and way farther". [123] Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) was primarily responsible for visual effects of the Manhattan folding sequence, which consisted of 200 shots and was mainly CGI, although some real-life shots of New York were used. [117] Meanwhile, Luma Pictures worked on the first mirror sequence at the beginning of the film. [117]
- The Quantum Realm (based on the Microverse from the Marvel Comics) (for the theory in physics, see quantum mechanics) with is a subatomic universe that exists outside of space and time. It can only be entered through subatomic particles or forms of mystical magic. [124] [125] In 1987, Janet van Dyne went subatomic and was stranded in the realm for thirty years. Additionally, the Council of Kangs exiled Kang the Conqueror to the realm. He befriended van Dyne, who helped him fix his time chair, only to learn from a neurolink who he really was. She then betrayed him, causing him to remain trapped. During this time, Kang conquered the realm and took control over it, building an empire, and displacing its residents. [126] [127] In 2015, Scott Lang goes subatomic to defeat Darren Cross and enters the realm, but manages to escape, while Cross remains stuck in the realm. In 2018, van Dyne is rescued by Hank Pym and they leave the realm. That same year, Lang becomes stuck in the realm's time vortex for five years, although he only experienced five hours in the realm. In 2019, agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. return to the main timeline through the realm from an alternate 1983 to defeat the Chronicoms. In 2023, Lang and the Avengers use the realm to travel to alternate timelines to reverse the Blip. An alternate Thanos gets ahold of their technology and uses the realm to travel himself, his ship, and his army to their universe. In 2026, van Dyne, Pym, Lang, Hope van Dyne, and Cassie Lang are transported into the realm after Cassie's quantum satellite gets heard by Cross. They find themselves hunted by Kang, who wants revenge on van Dyne. After they find a portal to leave the realm, Kang tries to follow, but ultimately gets defeated and pulled into his multiversal power core. The Quantum Realm is so named because the name "Microverse" is associated with the Micronauts, whose rights are held by Hasbro Studios. [128] Quantum physicist and California Institute of Technology staff researcher Spiros Michalakis suggested the new name. [129] Visual effects for the dimension in Ant-Man , Doctor Strange, and Ant-Man and the Wasp were provided by Method Studios. [117]
- The Soul World (based on the Marvel Comics location of the same name), also known as the Way Station, [130] is a pocket dimension inside the Soul Stone [131] which Thanos finds himself in for a brief moment after he snapped his fingers and wiped out half of the Universe's population, where he encountered a young Gamora. Christopher Markus, co-writer of Avengers: Endgame, also stated that Banner met the Hulk in the Soul World. The Soul World was originally also going to be visited by Tony Stark in a deleted scene of Avengers: Endgame, where he would have met an older version of his daughter Morgan; [132] however, in the final cut of the movie, it is where Clint Barton briefly ends up after Natasha Romanoff sacrifices herself for him to obtain the Soul Stone.
- Ta Lo (based on Ta-Lo from the Marvel Comics) is a mystical heavenly realm inhabited by Chinese mythological creatures, such as Chinese dragon (including the Great Protector), fenghuang , shishi , hundun (including Morris), jiuweihu , and qilin . [133] [134] Thousands of years ago, the Dweller-in-Darkness attacked the realm, but was sealed away by the people of Ta Lo and the Great Protector in the Dark Gate. Ta Lo can be accessed from Earth through a portal located in China, which is protected by an enchanted bamboo forest which can be safely traversed through on the first day of the Qingming Festival. [135] In an interview, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton expressed excitement in further exploration of the realm in the future. [136] Due to the enormity and complexity of the landscape, much of the village and its surrounding jungle in the film was digitally created by Rising Sun Pictures, who studied forested locations in Vietnam and Indonesia for inspiration and compiled a vast library of bamboo and other plants. [137] Meanwhile, visual effects for the various mythological creatures were provided by Trixter, [138] with some audiences confusing them with characters from Pokémon in early screenings. [139]
- The TVA Headquarters (based on the Null-Time Zone from the Marvel Comics) is a dimension that exists outside of space and time which acts as the headquarters of the Time Variance Authority (TVA). A Loki variant is brought to the headquarters by the TVA, where he is recruited to help track down another variant of himself. The Atlanta Marriott Marquis hotel in Atlanta, Georgia was used to portray the main building, [140] while working frosted incandescent ceiling lights were used as the set's key lights. [141]
- The Veil of Noor separates Earth from a dimension inhabited by supernatural cosmic beings known as the Clandestines, or the djinn in Pakistani culture. Several individuals were exiled from the Noor dimension to Earth in the 1940s, shortly before the Partition of India. Most seek mystical bangles imbued with Noor power to tear down the Veil and return home. One, named Aisha, fled with one of the bangles, which was passed down through the generations to Kamala Khan.
- The Void, also known as the Void at the End of Time, is a place of existence at the end of time inhabited by He Who Remains' Alioth, a monstrous cloud-storm like temporal entity, and containing the remains of alternate universes that have been pruned by the TVA. It features many Easter eggs from the comics, such as Thanos' helicopter, Throg, [142] Qeng Tower, a tower associated with Kang the Conqueror, [13] and the Living Tribunal's head, [143] as well as from the MCU, such as Yellowjacket's helmet, Mjölnir, [144] a Helicarrier, and the Dark Aster . [145] It also includes homages to the USS Eldridge, Polybius , and the Ecto Cooler. [145] For the Loki Palace, [146] an underground hideout in the Void where Kid Loki, Classic Loki, Boastful Loki, and Alligator Loki reside, Loki production designer Kasra Farahani acquired a bowling alley from Omaha and shipped it to Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, [146] where they installed an "old Santa throne from a mall" from another reality. [98]
