Merdeka 118, Malaysia’s tallest building and the second-tallest building in the world, is set to make its Hollywood debut in Thunderbolts. Filmed back in August 2024, the 36th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) sees Yelena Belova (portrayed by Florence Pugh) 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 puts Malaysia’s iconic Merdeka 118 on the cinematic map, potentially evoking excitement among local audiences who will be able to experience the movie starting from May 1. In addition, viewers will also catch a glimpse of familiar faces in scenes filmed across Kuala Lumpur, as Marvel Studios worked with local production teams and talents, including Malaysian 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, especially in how the equipment was designed,” shared Director Jake Scheier. “We focused on the base jump first before moving onto the stunt in full. Florence had to perform the stunt fully in character, with no cuts in between — she was so committed and pulled it off perfectly.”
To commemorate the film’s release, Merdeka 118 will be lit up with a Thunderbolts theme from 29 April to 1 May. Catch a dazzling nightly light show from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Celebrate Malaysia’s moment in the global spotlight as Merdeka 118 transforms into a towering tribute to Marvel’s most unconventional heroes.
Ensnared in a death trap, Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts sees an unconventional team of antiheroes — Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker — embarks on a dangerous mission that forces them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
