‘Superman’ gets closer to rolling cameras downtown as film crews turn Cleveland into Metropolis

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was Metropolis.

Production on DC’s upcoming “Superman” movie in downtown Cleveland continued at a methodical pace on Friday. Crews made progress turning Superior Avenue to Concord Street in Metropolis, home to The Daily Planet newspaper. But onlookers are still waiting for someone on set to say the magic word: “Action!”

Instead, they watched as workers installed a Greetings to Metropolis Gift Shoppe sign over an empty storefront, while set decorators added touches of realism to the other fictional businesses on the block. Carlisle Bakery — Mike’s Pastry in real life — received some not-so-fresh baked goods to put in the window, and Silas Deli — Sam Klein’s cigar shop in a past life — was adorned with a rack of flowers out front.

Down the road, trucks delivered a new load of fake boulders and pieces of mangled fencing. Crew members then carefully placed the debris around a damaged car, giving the faux rubble a fresh coat of paint. A forklift later arrived to add two more crumpled cars to the scene of destruction.

Elsewhere, the futuristic staircase assembled earlier was now attached to the two-story platform that workers spent the bulk of the previous day building. By early afternoon, the structure was draped in a blue screen, indicating that it will be transformed into something else (a spaceship perhaps?) by special-effects artists in post-production.

It’s not known exactly when cameras will start rolling, but security was noticeably tighter on Friday. Security guards limited sidewalk access between E. 6th and E. 3rd streets to patrons of businesses on the block and people headed to the Cleveland Public Library or Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse.

Pedestrians were told, sometimes harshly, to not stop and take photographs of the set. That didn’t stop many, however, from snapping a selfie in front of The Daily Planet sphere hanging over the entrance of the Leader Building.

This stretch of Superior Avenue in front of the Arcade will remain closed on Saturday, while production expands to Lakeside Avenue on Tuesday. That street will be shut down between E. 9th and the convention center.

The city says to expect more closures as filming continues.

“Superman” crews also are shooting scenes at Mentor Headlands Beach State Park.

Directed by James Gunn, the movie focuses on a younger version of the Man of Steel than DC’s previous franchise with Henry Cavill. The cast features David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luther) and Cleveland native Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl).

“Superman” flies into theaters July 11, 2025.