Merdeka 118 Makes Marvel Debut in Thunderbolts - Malaysians Beaming with Pride
- Marcus Liew
- May 19
- 2 min read
Malaysia’s skyline just earned a global spotlight. The iconic Merdeka 118 — now the second tallest tower in the world — made its big-screen debut in Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated superhero movie, Thunderbolts, and Malaysians are loving every second of it.
The 678.9-metre-tall skyscraper, owned by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) via its subsidiary PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd, served as a major location in the Hollywood production, marking the first time the structure has featured in an international blockbuster.
A Towering Achievement for Malaysia
Social media platforms have been buzzing with patriotic pride since the movie’s premiere in Malaysian cinemas on Thursday. Comments like "Malaysia goes global," "Shining bright," and the classic “Malaysia Boleh!” filled timelines as fans celebrated seeing a national landmark showcased on the world stage.
Marvel fans were especially thrilled when behind-the-scenes footage showed Thunderbolts star Florence Pugh leaping off the top of Merdeka 118, a moment that quickly went viral.
“Feel proud that Malaysia’s name is part of an international movie,” said TikTok user ApiZ, capturing the national sentiment shared by thousands.
More Than Just a Cameo
It wasn't just a background shot — the Merdeka 118 and Kuala Lumpur were repeatedly mentioned throughout the film. One storyline even involves an anti-hero character being created in a Malaysian lab, further cementing Malaysia’s place in Marvel’s cinematic universe.
Film reviewer Shahril Izzat Rosli, known as Shahril Pencinta Muvee, said:
“It wasn’t just once — Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur were mentioned repeatedly. That’s certainly something to be proud of.”
A Landmark Moment for Malaysian Cinema & Tourism
This global exposure is more than symbolic. The appearance of Merdeka 118 in a Marvel film could boost Malaysia’s visibility in global tourism, pop culture, and investment appeal. Just as Dubai and Seoul have benefited from Hollywood exposure, Kuala Lumpur may now enjoy a similar spotlight.
A Nation’s Pride in One Scene
Whether you're a Marvel fan or not, it’s hard to ignore the symbolic power of seeing Malaysia’s tallest tower soar across global screens. As Malaysian commenter Saiful Nizam simply put it:
“I’m proud to be Malaysian.”