(WILMINGTON) -- Gov. Bev Perdue announced Thursday production of the movie Iron Man 3 is coming to a Wilmington sound stage. The Marvel Studios film is expected to be made in North Carolina over a 10 month period, including pre production, principal photography, and wrap.

Perdue said the economic impact of the production encompasses a broad scale. "It impacts the whole economy, not just Screen Gems Studio and the people who work here," said Perdue. "The caterers, lumber shops, the dry cleaners, the restaurants, the retail shops, the house rentals, the rental cars and on, and on, and on."

The estimated economic impact of over $80 million will create 550 crew jobs and over 1,000 talent opportunities.  Perdue said the state’s 25 percent film incentive, talented and trained film professionals as well as the established infrastructure all played key roles in landing the Marvel Studios production.  Marvel considered Los Angeles, Michigan and New Mexico before deciding on North Carolina.

Aaron Syrett, Director of the North Carolina Film Office said this is a big deal for the state. "Certainly this is probably the largest film that that has ever been shot in North Carolina," said Syrett.

The movie starring Robert Downey Jr. is expected to start pre-production in Wilmington soon.