Audiences will apparently flock to the country’s theaters this weekend to watch the Man of Steel return in James Gunn’s interpretation of “Superman.”
The movie stars David Corenswet as the titular character along with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Superman’s archnemesis Lex Luthor.
Most people will get to sit back and enjoy singularly focused on the experience. But those from Northeast Ohio will likely be just as intent – much like with “The Avengers” and “Captain America: Civil War” – to see what they can recognize from the area.
Movie review: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ earns a spot as one of character’s best moments on film
Gunn, who filmed “Superman” here last summer, turns Cleveland into Metropolis, making the city and its architecture look cool. Here’s a rundown of some key shots that can be found in “Superman.”
The Leader Building on Superior Avenue doubles as the Daily Planet
Choosing the Leader Building to serve as Clark Kent’s workplace, The Daily Planet, is an inspired choice. The structure, which sits in the heart of downtown was the home of the Cleveland Leader (1854-1917) newspaper and later the Cleveland News, which operated from 1905 to 1960 before being taken over by The Cleveland Press. There is a prominent shot early in the film of Clark Kent going into the office after a tense evening with Lois Lane.
Public Square and its surrounding figure prominently in the movie
Public Square has been a Cleveland mainstay for some time. It made sense for Gunn to make use of the home of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The 10-acre park was dedicated on Independence Day in 1984. In “Superman,” it’s the staging ground for a battle with a kaiju monster that Superman battles in the film. Gunn shoots the scene from a number of key angles.
Key Tower atrium features a key emotional scene for Superman
Key Tower is the tallest building in the state and home to KeyCorp, the regional bank. It’s also a major player in the region with respect to civic engagement.
In “Superman,” Gunn films an emotional scene for the character after Lex Luthor reveals a family secret and the citizens of Metropolis, who have always been welcoming, turn on him after a Lex Luthor social media smear campaign. Superman flees to the building to deal with his anguish.
James Gunn turns to Lake County and Mentor Headlands for one scene
Headlands Beach State Park is best known as a beach refuge for the folks of eastern Cuyahoga and Lake counties during the summer.
Gunn used the beach as a key scene where Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and Lois Lane (Brosnahan) attempt to track down the whereabouts of Superman, who has been detained by the Luthorcorp with the permission of the U.S. government.
Nathan Fillion plays Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced plays Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi plays Mr. Terrific in Superman.
Isabela Merced, aka Hawkgirl, gets ultimate Cleveland shot with Terminal Tower
Isabela Merced, a Cleveland native, receives a moment in the film she’s likely to never forget. Merced portrays Hawkgirl, a member of a corporate sponsored superhero team that occasionally teams up with Superman.
In her introduction in the film, she swoops out of the sky with the Terminal Tower, a Cleveland landmark, as her backdrop.
No Cleveland movie is complete without Progressive Field
The home of the Cleveland Guardians receives some prominent screen time when the villains in the story take Superman out to the ballpark. Peanuts and crackerjack aren’t on the menu, but he is. The Engineer and Ultraman (no spoilers here) battle for superiority tearing up the pristine field.
PNC Center is the focus of a Superman defeat
One complaint about Superman through the years has been his invincibility. Gunn disabuses the audience of that notion when he stages the Man of Steel’s first defeat at the hands of the “Hammer of Boravia” at the PNC Center near E. 9th Street.
What would a ‘Superman’ film be without a little romance?
Superman (David Corenswet) lifts Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) upward in the James Gunn film “Superman.” Gunn filmed the scene at The Arcade, one of America’s first shopping centers, in Cleveland, Ohio.
“Superman: The Movie” and even “Man of Steel” had touches of romance – more the former than the latter. Who could forget Superman (Christopher Reeve) taking Lois on the flight of a lifetime with John Williams’ epic score playing in the background?
Gunn’s “Superman” has that touch of romance and an uses an iconic Cleveland attraction, The Arcade, which sits on Euclid Avenue and was built in 1890, as the backdrop. In the scene, Superman lifts Lois upward with the cathedral of windows bathing the duo in sunlight for just the right touch for romance.
George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland landmarks to look for in the new ‘Superman’ movie
