Ever since British actress Florence Pugh confirmed the rumours that Marvel’s “Thunderbolts*” was filmed in Kuala Lumpur, fans have been eager to see her performing a stunt at Merdeka 118, the second-tallest building in the world. A behind-the-scenes look was released earlier this month, revealing that the “Black Widow” star did indeed perform her own stunt on the tower.
The film is set to hit Malaysian cinemas tomorrow (Thursday, 1st May), and to celebrate the release of the highly anticipated film, Merdeka 118 will feature a special light show for all Marvel fans to enjoy. Here’s the full story:
The upcoming “Thunderbolts*” marks Merdeka 118’s Hollywood debut. Filmed in August 2024, the movie features actress Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, who last appeared in the 2021 “Hawkeye” series, leaping from the 678.9-metre-tall skyscraper in a breathtaking action sequence that captures sweeping views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. The thrilling stunt places Malaysia’s iconic building on the global stage, sparking pride and excitement among local audiences who will recognise the striking silhouette of their city’s landmark on the big screen.
Viewers will also spot familiar faces in scenes filmed across KL, as Marvel Studios collaborated with local production teams and talents, including actress Syaza Atheera. “The stunts for this film were an incredible team effort. We consulted with Malaysian engineering firms to ensure the stunt’s safety, particularly in the design of the equipment. We focused on the base jump first, before moving onto the full sequence. Florence had to perform the stunt fully in character, with no cuts in between — she was so committed and pulled it off perfectly,” said director Jake Schreier.
To commemorate the film’s release, Merdeka 118 will be lit up with a “Thunderbolts*”-themed display from 29th April to 1st May. Catch the dazzling nightly light show from 8pm to 12am, and celebrate Malaysia’s moment in the global spotlight as Merdeka 118 transforms into a towering tribute to Marvel’s most unconventional heroes.
Check out the final trailer now:
