CLEVELAND — Downtown Cleveland's exciting run as Metropolis will be coming to an end this week as production for the new Superman movie wraps up.
"Oh man I love it! Superman is my favorite movie!" said fan Evaryce Hicks outside of The Arcade on Tuesday, where production crews were shooting.
Security was tight around the set and Euclid Ave. was closed between East 6th St. and East Roadway.
"It does make Cleveland a lot cooler, for sure," said Joseph Allen.
Allen told 3News that on Monday he got a good look at David Corenswet, the actor playing Superman, while they were filming at Key Tower where he works.
"I made eye contact with him and it was weird and I felt like I wasn't supposed to be there, and then I was sort of escorted out the other way," Allen shared, saying the actor was dressed in the iconic blue, red, and yellow suit with the iconic "S" on the chest. "It was pretty cool. That's my claim to fame now."
Greater Cleveland Film Commission President Bill Garvey said he can't answer any questions about the movie being shot in Cleveland right now because he has signed an non-disclosure agreement.
Garvey did share that two films have now been shot in Northeast Ohio so far this year, and seven more are in the pipeline for the rest of the year.
We asked Garvey how much of an economic impact these film shoots will have on the region. He said about $147 million so far this year, with the total reaching $208 million by the end of 2024.
2011 was a landmark year for the Cleveland film industry when Marvel's The Avengers was shot here. We asked Garvey if 2024 will prove to be another massive leap forward for the local industry.
"2024 is without a doubt a standout year in this industry and the growth and the next step towards leadership in this industry for Northeast Ohio," he responded. "So yes, as The Avengers was a big giant calling card for this industry to pay attention to motion picture production in Northeast Ohio, so will 2024."
We don't know the exact day that the Superman shoot will end, but the city of Cleveland announced that the westbound lanes of Euclid Avenue between East 6th and East Roadway will be closed for "feature film production" through this Saturday.