As part of the long-term deal, Iron Man 2, Thor, The First Avenger: Captain America and The Avengers will shoot at Raleigh. Productions in Los Angeles over the next three years, according to Variety.

The pact makes Marvel the largest tenant on the Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios lot, which consists of 14 soundstages and 300,000 square feet of office and support space.

Raleigh also owns Hollywood Rentals. The two have operations in Hollywood and Playa Vista; Baton Rouge, La.; Charlotte, N.C.; Orlando, Fla.; and Budapest.

The deal keeps Marvel's film projects in Los Angeles, which has been hit hard by runaway production.

Louis D'Esposito, Marvel's prexy of physical production, said Raleigh had been "incredibly accommodating in terms of financial structures" that allowed the company to stay local.