Marvel, 20th Century Fox to film in Australia in 2016

FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop has announced a deal to film Marvel Studios blockbuster Thor: Ragnarok on home soil in 2016.

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron L to R: Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

TWO large-budget international movies, including the next Marvel superhero Thor instalment, will be filmed in Australia from next year.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced a deal to film the Marvel Studios blockbuster Thor: Ragnarok — starring Chris Hemsworth — and an untitled alien film by 20th Century Fox and director Ridley Scott on home soil.

The films are a product of recent trips to the United States during which Ms Bishop spruiked Australia’s highly-qualified workforce, innovative technology, stable economy and low dollar.

Actors Jaimie Alexander, Tom Hiddleston and Mark Ruffalo will also star in Ragnarok, slated for release in 2017.