Chicago Sets the Scene as Gotham City
One of my favorite superheroes as a kid was the Caped Crusader, Batman. And I'm certainly not alone. This weekend, everyone is looking forward to the premiere of the latest film in Christopher Nolan's Batman series: The Dark Knight.
Chicagoans will notice that Gotham City looks very familiar. While the movie avoids recognizable landmarks like Wrigley Field or Sears Tower, locals will be able to distinguish several Chicago locations. Be on the lookout for the canyon of skyscrapers at LaSalle and Monroe Streets (near the Chicago Board of Trade Building) and Bruce Wayne's penthouse in Hotel 71. Key action scenes take place at Gotham City Hospital (former Brach's Candy factory at Cicero Avenue), Gotham City Bank (old Chicago Post Office on Harrison Street), and an unfinished skyscraper (Trump International Hotel & Tower). Finally, even as a kid, I always felt that the dark corridors of Lower Wacker Drive would be the perfect setting for a shadowy thriller film. While several directors have shot scenes there, I'm sure that no film does it with the suspense and fervor as The Dark Knight.
The film releases to the general public tonight at 12 midnight. However, if you don't already have your tickets by now, you likely will not be one of the first to see this incredible film. Just about every premiere screening is already sold out. For information on future showtimes'as well as interviews, photos, and reviews'check out Metromix's The Dark Knight Movie Guide.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I’m so excited for this movie!
July 21st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I LOVE that they used Chicago to play such an important part in this movie. This is a beautiful city. Enough making movies in Canada and New York is used waay too much.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I haven’t seen the film yet, but if it’s anything like the previous one, I know it’ll be great. It is amazing how Chicago is able to make the fictitious Gotham City come alive.
July 26th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
[...] is a superhero without any superpowers. That would imply that any mortal man could become The Dark Knight' for a price. The Chicago Tribune calculates just what that price would [...]