“Man of Steel” is a 2013 superhero movie about Superman, based on the DC Comics character. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, with a story by David S. Goyer and producer Christopher Nolan. It is a reboot of the Superman film series and is the first movie in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film premiered in New York City on June 10, 2013, and was released in the United States on June 14, 2013.
The movie tells the story of an alien child who is sent to Earth from his dying planet. He grows up among humans, but his peace is threatened when survivors from his home planet invade Earth.
Where was “Man of Steel” Filmed?
Principal photography for the film began on August 1, 2011, at an industrial area near DuPage Airport under the codename “Autumn Frost.” Filming was planned to span two to three months, with production taking place in Plano, Illinois, from August 22 to August 29. Michael Shannon said that filming would continue until February 2012.
The film “Man of Steel” was shot in Chicago, California, and Vancouver’s Mammoth Studios, with the oil rig rescue scenario taking place on Vancouver’s North Shore. Ucluelet and Nanaimo in British Columbia served as Alaska’s stand-ins. Chicago Loop sequences were shot from September 7 to 17, with an emphasis on establishing shots and cutaways rather than main character members.
British Columbia, Canada
Studio Filming at Mammoth Studios: Most of the studio filming for “Man of Steel” happened at Mammoth Studios in Burnaby, near Vancouver. This location was used for several scenes, including the green-screen set for the ‘Bright Arctic’ oil rig where Superman (played by Henry Cavill) saves a crew. Mammoth Studios is located at 2820 Underhill Avenue in Burnaby.
North Vancouver: The oil rig scenes were filmed at a green-screen set on Low Level Road in North Vancouver, overlooking Vancouver Harbour.
Ucluelet: The fishing boat scenes with the ‘Debbie Sue’ were shot off the western coast of Vancouver Island. The ‘Alaskan’ village where Superman arrives is actually the town of Ucluelet. This location is about 100 miles northwest of Victoria. Ucluelet is also known for being close to Tofino, where scenes for “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” were filmed.
Nanaimo: The loggers’ bar scene, where Clark Kent (played by Henry Cavill) loses his temper, was filmed at Cassidy Inn Pub. This pub is located at 2954 Trans Canada Hwy 2 in Nanaimo, on the east coast of Vancouver Island. (Note: The Cassidy Inn Pub is now closed.)
Illinois, USA
Plano: A lot of the filming for “Man of Steel” took place in Plano, Illinois, about 40 miles west of Chicago. Plano was used to represent the town of ‘Smallville’. False storefronts were set up on Main Street, between North West Street and North Center Street, for the scenes where Superman battles Faora-Ul.
Serena: The scene where young Clark Kent shows his powers to his schoolmates was filmed a couple of miles east of Serena, Illinois. The bus plunges into the Fox River from the North 38th Road (US 52) Bridge.
Yorkville and Plainfield: The Kent family farm scenes were filmed on the south side of East Schoolhouse Road, between Yorkville and Plainfield.
Aurora: Lois Lane (played by Amy Adams) visits the ‘Smallville’ branch of IHOP (International House of Pancakes) in Aurora, Illinois. This scene was filmed at IHOP Restaurant, 2455 Augusta Way.
Sugar Grove: The tornado scene that changes Clark Kent’s life was filmed in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The overpass where Clark and his mother take shelter is located on Route 56, beneath East Galena Boulevard.
Chicago: Chicago was used for many important scenes, including the heart of ‘Metropolis’. The Chicago Board of Trade Building, at 141 West Jackson Boulevard, was used for the exterior of the ‘Daily Planet’ office. The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) at 233 South Wacker Drive was used for the interior scenes of the Daily Planet.
The final battle between Superman and Zod takes place in downtown Chicago. Stetson Avenue, near the Hyatt Regency Chicago at 151 East Upper Wacker Drive, and the Great Hall of Chicago Union Station at 210 South Canal Street were used for these intense scenes.
California, USA
Edwards Air Force Base, California: In one part of the movie, set in the Mojave Desert, Superman agrees to surrender to General Zod. This scene was filmed at Edwards Air Force Base, about 22 miles northeast of Lancaster, California.
Owens Valley Solar Array, California: The final scenes of the film, where Superman is seen contemplating his role, were filmed by the satellite dishes of the Owens Valley Solar Array, a few miles north of Big Pine in central California.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Man of Steel
Q: Where was “Man of Steel” filmed?
A: “Man of Steel” was filmed in several notable locations across North America. The production utilized various sites in Vancouver, British Columbia, including Mammoth Studios in Burnaby for studio scenes. The Arctic scenes, featuring the oil rig, were shot at a green-screen set in North Vancouver, while the fishing boat scenes took place off the western coast of Vancouver Island, in the town of Ucluelet. In Illinois, Plano was used to represent the town of Smallville, and other key scenes were filmed in Aurora and Sugar Grove. California also played a role, with Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert standing in for the desert location where Superman surrenders to General Zod, and the Owens Valley Solar Array was used for the final scenes.
Q: When was “Man of Steel” filmed?
A: “Man of Steel” was filmed starting on August 1, 2011. The production took place in various locations, including Plano, Illinois, from August 22 to 29, and continued until February 2012, according to Michael Shannon. Additionally, filming in the Chicago Loop occurred from September 7 to 17, 2011.
Q: What is the release date of “Man of Steel”?
A: “Man of Steel” premiered at Alice Tully Hall in New York City on June 10, 2013. Following its world premiere, the film was released in the United States on June 14, 2013.
Q: What locations in Chicago were used for filming?
A: In Chicago, several prominent locations were featured in “Man of Steel”. The exterior of the Daily Planet office was filmed at the Chicago Board of Trade Building, while the interior scenes were shot at Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower. The final battle between Superman and General Zod took place on Stetson Avenue and inside the Great Hall of Chicago Union Station.
Q: Where were the Arctic and fishing boat scenes filmed?
A: The Arctic scenes in “Man of Steel”, including the oil rig rescue, were filmed at a green-screen set in North Vancouver, British Columbia. The fishing boat scenes, where Superman interacts with the crew, were shot off the western coast of Vancouver Island, specifically in the town of Ucluelet.
