Entertainment
‘Superman’ begins filming in downtown Cleveland with David Corenswet, James Gunn on set (photos)
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Superman is home.
David Corenswet made his Cleveland debut on Monday, filming his first scene as the Man of Steel in the superhero’s hometown. The actor arrived on the production’s Superior Ave. set around 9 a.m. But onlookers, extras and crew members had to wait a couple of hours before he emerged in the famous Superman suit.
The moment didn’t disappoint as Corenswet removed the black cloak he had been wearing on set and revealed the iconic bright blue suit, complete with a red cape with a yellow “S” logo and the superhero’s trademark red trunks. The trunks haven’t been seen on the big screen since Brandon Routh wore them in “Superman Returns” in 2006.
Corenswet, best known for Netflix’s “The Politician,” was joined by Edi Gathegi, who plays Mister Terrific in the film. The actor, who stars in Apple TV’s “For All Mankind,” showed off his character’s famous leather jacket with his mantra “Fair Play” written on the sleeves. In the scene, shot in front of the Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse, the superheroes look at something in the sky and have a conversation as background actors are evacuated from a CGI ship into a disaster zone.
The actors filmed several versions of the scene while director James Gunn watched from nearby, approaching the actors between at least one of the takes. The photos are among the first to be published of Corenswet and Gathegi on set in costume.
Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane, was later spotted coming out of a pod or capsule with Wendell Pierce as Daily Planet editor Perry White. Nicholas Hoult, the movie’s Lex Luther, was photographed in street clothes. It’s not known if he shot a scene Monday.
Indeed, security is keeping a tight lid on the production. Superior Ave. between E. 6th and E. 3rd St. has been closed since Thursday, but this was the first time the sidewalk was also closed, and the view of the set was blocked by trucks, screens and a crane. In fact, the Cleveland Public Library decided at the eleventh hour to close its main campus downtown to the general public on Monday, telling staffers and people with previously reserved meeting rooms to stay away from the windows overlooking the set. The library and the block remain closed through Tuesday.
The city, meanwhile, announced additional street closures through July 6:
Tuesday, June 25
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of Superior Avenue from East 6th Street to East Roadway Avenue (In/Out Access to and from 200 Public Square Garage will be accommodated from East Roadway daily)
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of East 3rd Street from Rockwell Avenue to Superior Avenue
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of Lakeside Avenue between East 9th Street and East Mall Drive (Surface Lot will be unavailable. Willard Garage entrance access from East 9th Street only)
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of East 6th Street between Lakeside Avenue and 1301 East 6th Street (parking garage accessible)
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of West Mall Drive between Lakeside Avenue and St. Clair Avenue
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of 1st Street between Prospect and Public Square (South Roadway)
Wednesday, June 26
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of South Roadway between Ontario and Euclid Avenue
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of 1st Street between Prospect and Public Square (S Roadway)
Thursday, June 27
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of Ontario Street between West St Clair Avenue and Rockwell Avenue
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of 1st Street between Prospect and Public Square (South Roadway)
Friday, June 28
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of Chester Avenue between East 13th Street and East 17th Street
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of 1st Street between Prospect and Public Square (South Roadway)
Saturday, June 29
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of 1st Street between Prospect and Public Square (South Roadway)
Sunday, June 30
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of 1st Street between Prospect and Public Square (South Roadway)
Monday, July 1
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of 1st Street between Prospect and Public Square (South Roadway)
• FULL CLOSURE of Public Square (East Roadway, West Roadway, South Roadway, Rockwell Avenue)
Tuesday, July 2
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of 1st Street between Prospect and Public Square (South Roadway)
• FULL CLOSURE of Public Square (East Roadway, West Roadway, South Roadway, Rockwell Avenue)
Wednesday, July 3
• FULL CLOSURE of Public Square (East Roadway, West Roadway, South Roadway, Rockwell Avenue)
Thursday, July 4
• FULL CLOSURE of Public Square (East Roadway, West Roadway, South Roadway, Rockwell Avenue)
Friday, July 5
• FULL CLOSURE of Public Square (East Roadway, West Roadway, South Roadway, Rockwell Avenue)
Saturday, July 6
• FULL ROAD CLOSURE of Detroit-Superior Bridge between West Huron Street and W 25th Street
Superman was created by Cleveland natives Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in 1933. The new movie will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.