Cleveland transforms into Metropolis for filming of "Superman: Legacy"
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Superior is now "Concord Street" in downtown Metropolis. Photo: Sam Allard/Axios
Downtown Cleveland has transformed into Metropolis for the filming of "Superman: Legacy," the latest reboot in the DC Extended Universe.
Why it matters: Road closings and detours are rampant throughout the central business district, and with ongoing work at the Sherwin-Williams headquarters, downtown feels like a gigantic construction zone.
- Public Square will be closed to traffic Monday through Friday of next week.
The big picture: Cleveland is a superhero town. Not only is it the birthplace of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster; it also has become a popular destination for big-budget action films.
- It transformed into Stuttgart, Germany, and New York City for the smash hit "The Avengers" in 2012 and into Washington, D.C., for "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" two years later.
- The city closed the West Shoreway for two full weeks in 2013 for the highway fight scene in "The Winter Soldier."
The intrigue: The state attracts these projects with a 30% tax credit for cast and crew wages and in-state spending.
- Under the working title "Genesis," the Superman production received $11 million in the latest funding round.
Zoom in: As of last week, Superior Avenue between Public Square and East 6th Street is now Concord Street in Metropolis.
- The Leader Building is now the Daily Planet building, and fictional small businesses have cropped up beside it: Silas Deli, Carlisle Bakery and The Wounded Duck bar, among others.
- Across the street are the Metropolis Public Library and the Metropolis Museum of Natural History.
The big picture: Directed by James Gunn ("Guardians of the Galaxy"), "Superman: Legacy" stars David Corenswet ("Pearl") as the eponymous hero.
- The cast features Rachel Brosnahan ("The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel") as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.
- Brosnahan took in a Guardians game this past weekend.
Between the lines: The cast also includes Cleveland's own Isabela Merced, who broke through as the live-action Dora the Explorer in 2019 and recently starred in the Marvel knee-slapper "Madame Web." She'll be playing Hawkgirl in Superman.
- "House of the Dragon" fans will be tickled to learn that Milly Alcock, who played the young Rhaenyra Targaryen in season one, will appear as Supergirl.
What's next: The film's release date is about a year away — July 11, 2025.