09-07-2025
Cleveland grabs the film industry spotlight in "Superman" movie
More than 90 years after Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster created Superman, a new film soars into theaters this week, showcasing the city where the character was developed.
Why it matters: Last year's filming of "Superman" in Northeast Ohio generated nearly $80 million in local production spending while creating thousands of jobs, according to the Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC).
The much-anticipated movie serves as one of the greatest examples yet of Cleveland's ability to host major productions.
The intrigue: News of "Superman" filming in Cleveland broke in February 2024 when the movie, listed under the working title "Genesis," was listed on the Ohio Department of Development's filming slate as receiving $11 million in tax credits.
Scenes were shot during the summer as downtown served as a stand-in for the city of Metropolis.
Zoom in: Superior Avenue transformed into Metropolis' Concord Street, with the Leader Building becoming the Daily Planet building — home of the newspaper Superman's alter ego, Clark Kent, writes for.
Progressive Field turned into the home of the Metropolis Meteors baseball team.
Zoom out: Other parts were filmed in Mentor (Lake County) and Cincinnati, where the Cincinnati Museum Center became the Justice League's Hall of Justice.
By the numbers: Warner Bros.' massive production led to the hiring of nearly 3,000 local crew members and more than 2,500 local background actors, according to the GCFC.
Over 25,000 hotel room nights were booked throughout the summer.
What they're saying:"The impact this will have for the region and the state both economically and culturally is incredible," GCFC president Bill Garvey tells Axios.
