http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertain ... 5320.storyThe Caped Crusader is headed to Pittsburgh. On Tuesday, producer and director Christopher Nolan confirmed what many in the local film industry had suspected over the past few months, that the next installment in his Batman franchise, "The Dark Knight Rises," will not be returning to Chicago to shoot.
It is a blow for the city, but, "Based on the information we were getting from Warner Bros. through back channels, this doesn't come as an entire surprise," said Richard Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office. "They would have given us an indication by this point if they were coming. We're certainly disappointed, but also so appreciative of everything Chris brought us in terms of the two previous Batman pictures."
Both 2005's "Batman Begins" and 2008's "The Dark Knight" shot on location in downtown Chicago (standing in for Gotham), and Moskal estimates that the films spent in excess of $50 million combined when they were here — on crews, vendors and hotels, among other expenses.
The economic boost was important, Moskal said, but he also cited the prestige factor associated with the films.
"I think Chicago shared in their notoriety and that helped us generate a great deal of excitement and interest from other filmmakers about shooting in Chicago," he said. "The shoots were complicated and spectacular in terms of stunts and special effects. 'The Dark Knight' in particular raised the bar in terms of the types of things that we have done in Chicago, and I think that also let people know we can accommodate pictures like this."
"The Dark Knight Rises" will shoot in Pittsburgh this summer (other locations rumored before today's announcement included Romania, India and New Orleans). At roughly the same time, "Superman: Man of Steel" (another Warner Bros. property) will be filming in the Chicago area. Moskal said that might have been a factor in the Batman decision, particularly because Nolan is producing both films.
"Two pictures of that size shooting simultaneously in the same location? I think the studio would have said it's just too much in one place," Moskal said. "It would have been challenging for the filmmakers, let alone the city. Chris Nolan might be making sure he's not sort of stepping his on his own toes by having both pictures here."
Illinois does have a slightly more lucrative tax credit program for film productions than the one offered in Pennsylvania — 30 percent back versus 25 percent — but in the case of "The Dark Knight Rises," Moskal said he doesn't think that desparity was a concern. "Clearly they're looking for financial incentives, but I think the producers had an interest in keeping the franchise fresh and interesting, and I can certainly understand pursuing new places to represent Gotham. They may have felt they exhausted their locations in Chicago."
This isn't the first time Chicago and Pittsburgh have found themselves competing for a project. The Steel City also was seriously considered as a location for the upcoming Kelsey Grammer Starz series "Boss" — about a Chicago mayor, no less. Ultimately Chicago won out, and the TV series will start shooting here later this month.
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