UPTOWN — Less than a week after "Batman Vs. Superman" finished filming in Uptown, some residents are wishing the spruced-up Aragon Ballroom would have stayed, well, spruced up.
“They put it up in a matter of two days,” said Keith McCormick, executive director of Uptown’s chamber of commerce, “and then it was just gone all of a sudden.”
McCormick said he knew much of the Aragon’s Hollywood makeover wouldn’t stay in place after filming finished last week, but he said the crews did help kickstart some necessary improvements, like replacing light bulbs.
“It was really cool to see the sign all lit up,” said Prince Agyemang, a former Uptown resident who now lives in Albany Park. “That was the most impressive part.”
Agyemang was headed toward the Lawrence Ave CTA Red Line station last week when he noticed the streets were jammed up with film trailers and classic cars. A photographer by trade, Agyemang said he snapped a few shots of the scene before being hurried along with other onlookers by the film crews.
“I guess they were really going for the '70s look for the movie,” said Agyemang, who added that the lit-up sign had an “old, classic look.”
McCormick said the "Batman Vs. Superman" crew was working “around the clock” to transform the theater and surrounding area into a scene from the 1970s.
Unfortunately, he said, most of the changes weren’t going to be permanent. For example, an old-school movie sign made of canvas replaced the Aragon’s higher-tech digital sign that lists upcoming shows. With the number of performers coming through the theater on any given week, the digital sign is much more practical and current.
The marquee sign is up to date and fully lit, McCormick said.
Now that the film crews have left Uptown, McCormick said it’s a waiting game until the movie comes out.
“Chicago just feels more like Batman’s home town,” said McCormick, “and when you’re in Uptown, you know you’re in Chicago.”
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