'Superman: Man Of Steel' Filming In Chicago, According To Industry Sources

Yet another major action blockbuster appears set to use downtown Chicago as its backdrop, according to entertainment industry sources.

"Superman: Man of Steel," the much-awaited relaunch of the Superman franchise, will be filming in the city this summer, according to Crain's Chicago Business. Production will be based in west suburban Plano, with the film shooting for two or three months starting around August 2011, the report says.

The film marks yet another big title to land in the city since the passage of a 30 percent tax credit for film and TV shot in Illinois, a law passed in December of 2008. Last year alone, 23 films were shot in Illinois, including "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," whose budget some sources pegged as high as $400 million. "The Dark Knight," the latest installment in the Batman franchise, was shot in the city in 2007, prominently featuring the downtown skyline.

Chicago is also getting some more visibility on the small screen, with police drama "The Chicago Code" enjoying some popularity on FOX. A pilot for "The Playboy Club," a '60s-era period piece ordered by NBC, is also shooting in the city.

Following a trend among major action franchises -- from "Star Trek" to "James Bond" -- the new Superman movie will trace the hero's origins, with Kevin Costner playing Jonathan Kent, the Middle American father figure who raises the alien baby Kal-El as Clark Kent. Henry Cavill will play the titular hero, with Amy Adams starring as Lois Lane.

Comments

[stevevargas]

04:50 PM on 03/29/2011

Superman in Chicago?

[westreal]

01:18 PM on 03/28/2011

I love it when the big budget movies film in Chicago. Besides the inconvenience to bus schedules it's fun to see the props and actors. Doubt if I'll see Superman though because the lead is not cast properly in my opinion.

[crookedcountyillinois]

12:36 PM on 03/28/2011

We should tell the General Assembly in Springfield. I'm sure they can figure out a way that would tax them, and stop them from coming back in the future.

[thisisntme]

01:10 PM on 03/28/2011

Here you go again. Complaining about something that hasn't happened yet all because you don't like the governor.

[crookedcountyillinois]

02:54 PM on 03/28/2011

It's not just that I don't like the Governor. It's that he's royally incompetent, and forces bad policy, and economic suffering, on all of Illinois; all to avoid the pension reform debate that his campaign contributors don't want to be brought up.

[ItAintNoRocketScience]

02:23 PM on 03/28/2011

I bet you're the kind that if someone gave you $1 million in cash, you'd complain it's not in crisp, new bills. It's revenue for the city, and surrounding area, great exposure for the city for possible future tourist dollars, not to mention the prestige of having a movie about an american icon filmed right here. So get over it.

[crookedcountyillinois]

02:56 PM on 03/28/2011

No. I'd probably ask where it came from...