In October 2008, Marvel Studios signed a long-term lease agreement with Raleigh Studios to photograph their next four films—"Iron Man 2", "Thor", "Captain America: The First Avenger" and "The Avengers"—at Raleigh's Manhattan Beach, California facility. "Production Weekly" reported that filming on Marvel's "Thor" was scheduled to begin in Los Angeles mid-January, then move to Santa Fe, New Mexico from March until late-April. Principal photography began on January 11, 2010. A few days after filming began, Clark Gregg signed on to reprise his role from "Iron Man" and "Iron Man 2" as Agent Coulson. In February, Paramount Pictures entered negotiations with Del Mar, California to use a 300-yard stretch of beach to film a scene for "Thor" involving six horses running down the terrain. Paramount said this coastline was ideal because its gradual slope of sand down to the waterline creates excellent reflective opportunities on film. On March 15, 2010, production of "Thor" moved to Galisteo, New Mexico where Cerro Pelon Ranch, an old-fashioned Western film town, was extensively modified for the shoot.