Rising above: Tengku Ab Aziz said he hopes the exposure of Merdeka 118 would raise its international profile as an iconic destination.
KUALA LUMPUR: Merdeka 118 is featured in the Hollywood film Thunderbolts, set for a worldwide release on May 2.
The 678.9m-high skyscraper, owned by Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) through its subsidiary PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd, was one of the filming locations for the movie, produced by Marvel Studios.
PNB Merdeka Ventures chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Ab Aziz Tengku Mahmud said the production demonstrates Merdeka 118’s potential as an iconic filming location capable of attracting global attention.
Pugh leaping off the Merdeka 118 in a scene from the ‘Thunderbolts’ trailer. — Photo taken from Marvel Studios’ YouTube
“This is a unique opportunity to showcase Merdeka 118 on the world stage.
“The appearance of this building in a Hollywood movie not only introduces Malaysia’s new landmark but also promotes Kuala Lumpur as a modern and dynamic destination,” he told Bernama.
Tengku Ab Aziz said although filming only took place over a few days in the middle of last year, it involved detailed planning in terms of site preparation, logistical coordination, security and technical support to ensure smooth operations without disrupting daily activities.
“We worked closely with the production team to ensure every requirement was met in an efficient and professional manner while prioritising the safety of the public and the building.
“And should there be future requests (for filming at Merdeka 118), we will evaluate and consider each proposal, taking into account its suitability and potential impact on Merdeka 118 and its surroundings,” he said.
He hoped the exposure of the world’s second-tallest tower through the film would raise Merdeka 118’s international profile as an iconic destination.
“It is also hoped that this initiative will boost interest in the tourism and creative economy sectors while positioning Kuala Lumpur as a preferred location for film and digital content production,” he said.
Earlier, a stunt video featuring Thunderbolts lead actress Florence Pugh skydiving from the top of Merdeka 118 went viral after Marvel Studios shared behind-the-scenes footage of the film on social media.
The film, directed by Jake Schreier, also stars David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell and Geraldine Viswanathan.
