FASTER than a speeding bullet, the new Superman movie will be landing in cinemas within weeks, with a fresh look for the Man of Steel, a new cast and a Metropolis makeover.

Helmed by Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, the film stars David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

But there’s a surprising new star, too.

Cleveland takes on the mantle of Metropolis, chosen for its cinematic appeal and to honour its legacy as the birthplace of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who first dreamed up Superman.

The teenage Cleveland pals with a passion for science fiction and comics created Superman in 1932, and he went on to become the first of the superheroes ever to see print.

“This is the house where Superman was born,” reads a sign hanging on the fence in front of 10622 Kimberly Ave, where 18-year-old Siegel came up with the idea for the son of Krypton.

The apartment house where illustrator Shuster lived is now a vacant lot, but the fence around it has been hung with panels reproducing Action Comics #1, the first Superman story published on April 18, 1938.

Locations chosen for the new movie, which opens on July 11, include Public Square, which was transformed into Metropolis’ bustling centre, and The Leader Building, which stood in as the exterior of the Daily Planet.

The Cleveland Arcade provided the setting for one of the film’s most memorable moments — a romantic kiss between Superman and Lois Lane beneath the historic glass ceiling.

Elsewhere, Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team, hosted an explosive action sequence, and Cleveland City Hall transformed into Metropolis’ City Hall.

Other locations include the Detroit–Superior Bridge, Ontario Street, PNC Plaza, Terminal Tower, Superior Avenue, and Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor – which was used to depict a US Army base.

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There are still signs throughout the area sharing Superman’s Cleveland origin story, with memorabilia on show at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Cleveland Public Library.

Meanwhile, the Siegel and Shuster Society is spearheading the planning of Siegel and Shuster Tribute Plaza outside the Huntington Convention Centre, a CGI preview of which you can see above.

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It will feature a Superman statue designed by a local artist; statues of Siegel, his wife Joanne (upon whom Lois Lane was modelled) and Shuster; and a phone booth for quick costume changes.

“We are thrilled that James Gunn brought the latest Superman movie home to Cleveland, the city where the Man of Steel was created through the imaginations of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster,” says Emily Lauer at Destination Cleveland.

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“The city’s rich history, vibrant neighbourhoods and urban scenery make it the perfect setting for an iconic storyline. We can’t wait for the world to see our city as we continue building Cleveland’s reputation as a destination for creativity, culture and storytelling.”

Cleveland images courtesy of Destination Cleveland