MCU Just Changed With This Shocking Setting!

In a unique twist for Marvel Universe’s chronicles, the concluding Phase 5 production, titled Ironheart, will break new ground by setting its storyline in a location that has seldom been explored within Marvel Studios‘ 17-year history. Over these years, Marvel has skillfully woven its tales into some of the most iconic cities and distinctive locations worldwide (and beyond), imbuing each fresh franchise with an invigorating sense of novelty upon debut.

Marvel officially announced that the upcoming series “Ironheart” will primarily take place in Chicago, Illinois, marking the first time the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has chosen this city as its primary setting. The character Dominique Thorne portrays, Riri Williams, hails from Chicago, making it her hometown. This series is anticipated to spend a significant amount of time there, as it’s planned to cover all six episodes, making it the longest duration any MCU film or Disney+ show has spent in Chicago.

As a film enthusiast, I recently had the privilege of talking with Marvel’s producer Ryan Coogler. In our conversation, he emphasized that the city we were discussing is a part of our nation that often goes unnoticed. He even drew a striking comparison between this city and our beloved Riri, stating that they both possess an armored exterior while harboring a deep reservoir of love within.

This setting is often overlooked yet it fits perfectly for the character’s development. We have a young woman who carries an emotional burden and wears a protective shell, but beneath that tough exterior lies a heart overflowing with affection. If this isn’t symbolic of Chicago, I can’t imagine what city would be.

Previously, Chicago had limited appearances in other Marvel Cinematic Universe productions. In 2011’s “Captain America: The First Avenger,” the city was depicted as a destination visited by Steve Rogers during his USO tour while dressed as Captain America. Moreover, the movie “Eternals” featured Chicago as the residence of Phastos, where he currently lives with his partner and son, who is portrayed wearing a red jersey of the Chicago Bulls basketball team.

In the second season of Disney+’s Loki, our characters journey to Chicago, specifically the World’s Fair held in 1893. Here, Loki and Mobius pursue Victor Timely as they strive to correct the timeline’s sacred flow.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Moon Knight, specifically Marc Spector, hails from Chicago. However, his standalone comic series hasn’t made extensive use of the city beyond the flashback sequences featured in Episode 5.

Following are some significant urban centers and landmarks that served as primary backdrops for previous Marvel Studios productions:

Or simply,

Other major cities and sites featured prominently in past Marvel Studio movies are coming up:

Each of these options retains the original meaning while making it more accessible and conversational.

New York City, New York

As a cinephile immersed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s hard to deny that New York City has been the backdrop of choice more times than I can count. Spanning over 30 movies and TV shows produced by Marvel Studios, this bustling metropolis has played a significant role for nearly 17 years. In some instances, it served as the central setting for the entire saga, while in others, it was merely a key scene or two that left an indelible mark on the storyline.

Notably, the structure previously referred to as both Avengers Tower and Stark Tower can be found on Park Avenue, approximately in the location of the actual MetLife building. Furthermore, significant Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) locations residing in New York City also include the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Over time, New York City has served as the main setting for numerous significant battles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This includes pivotal scenes from movies such as The Avengers, The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and many more.

Los Angeles, California

Transitioning to the western coast of the United States, specifically Los Angeles, California, continues to be a significant setting in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) narratives. Marvel is taking advantage of the city’s worldwide recognition, second only to New York City. Over a dozen MCU productions have incorporated the “City of Angels” as their primary storytelling location, although it falls short compared to the number associated with NYC.

In the vibrant cityscape of Los Angeles, I found myself utterly captivated by “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law”. As a graduate from UCLA, Jennifer Walters, brilliantly portrayed by Tatiana Maslany, calls this bustling city home, practicing law with finesse. Interestingly enough, this city was once the residence of Carol Danvers during the ’80s and ’90s. Fans will recall her high-speed pursuits leading her to a SHIELD field office nestled within the intricate web of the Metro transit system.

Malibu, California

Situated approximately 40 miles west of Los Angeles, Malibu sometimes features as a significant spot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s storyline, found in the region of Southern California.

predominantly recognized for being Tony Stark’s long-time residence before his demise in Avengers: Endgame, Malibu is particularly famous for this association. His fictitious mansion at 10880 Malibu Point, ZIP code 90265, stands on the edge of a towering cliff in Point Dume, overlooking the expansive Pacific Ocean.

London, United Kingdom

For fans residing beyond the United States, they could instead focus on Europe as another significant location within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), specifically London, U.K. A considerable number of previous MCU series and films have unfolded their narratives in London, a city that is among the 40 most populous cities worldwide, shedding light on it more than any other locale outside North America.

In contrast to other Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) productions, Thor: The Dark World devotes more screen time to London than any other. However, films such as Doctor Strange and Eternals feature some of their most significant sequences within the UK. Moreover, the climactic battle in Spider-Man: Far From Home occurs at the Tower Bridge, casting a spotlight on London as it concludes the Infinity Saga.

Budapest, Hungary

One intriguing possibility is that a city shrouded in enigma within the Marvel Cinematic Universe could be Budapest, Hungary. This city is frequently referenced yet seldom depicted in Marvel Studios’ productions.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but recall the intriguing introduction of Budapest in “The Avengers.” Alongside Captain Marvel, this city played a pivotal role in Natasha Romanoff’s narrative. During her nostalgic conversation with Clint Barton, they reminisced about their shared past there. It wasn’t until later that we learned Budapest was the site where Natasha defected from the Red Room to SHIELD, making what appeared to be a fatal move against Dreykov’s daughter.

In the standalone Black Widow film featuring Scarlett Johansson, Budapest was utilized more extensively. Here, Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova first crossed paths, only to later find themselves pursued by Olga Kurlyenko’s Taskmaster (before her demise in the Thunderbolts movie).

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2025-06-10 08:04