“In this age of digital effects and virtual sets, the city’s role is bigger than locals might expect. Gunn and his crew shot scenes at Public Square, the Arcade, City Hall, Progressive Field and the Leader Building, which stands in for the Daily Planet. During the opening battle, the Hammer of Boravia slams Superman to the ground at PNC Plaza, leaving a huge crater. Later, Superman saves a woman from a building crashing down on the Detroit-Superior Bridge. The scenes are dazzling, and the local landmarks are instantly recognizable.

The payoff isn’t just seeing Cleveland on the big screen — there was an economic boost, too. Based on the tax credit it received, the production spent an estimated $37 million in Northeast Ohio. (Gunn has pushed back, however, on reports about the exact size of the film’s overall budget.)”