Ohio tax-credit paperwork lists ‘Exodus’ project, renewing questions about ‘Superman’ filming in Cleveland again

Tax-credit documents revive speculation about another major studio shoot in Northeast Ohio

A new filing in Ohio’s Motion Picture Tax Credit program has renewed questions about whether a large-budget production connected to the “Superman” franchise could return to Cleveland for filming in 2026.

The project appears in state paperwork under the title “Exodus,” mirroring the way the 2024 “Superman” production used a different working title during its Ohio shoot. The new documents outline a large-scale production and include dates indicating a potential Ohio filming window from June 15 through Aug. 21, 2026. The paperwork lists an estimated production value of $330 million, with $6.6 million in projected in-state costs and a requested tax credit of nearly $2 million.

What is confirmed, and what remains unconfirmed

The state filing establishes that a project called “Exodus” has sought support through Ohio’s film incentive program, which provides a refundable tax credit equal to 30% of eligible in-state production spending. The records do not, by themselves, confirm the project’s final filming locations or guarantee that cameras will roll in Cleveland. Applications can be submitted well in advance of final scheduling, and projects can change plans after filing.

No public production notice, citywide permit package, or official studio announcement has been issued confirming that “Exodus” will film in Cleveland. As a result, any connection between “Exodus” and a future “Superman” installment remains unconfirmed solely on the basis of the tax-credit paperwork.

Cleveland’s recent track record as a “Superman” filming hub

Cleveland and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities previously served as major locations for the most recent “Superman” film. Production spent roughly six weeks filming in Cleveland beginning in late June 2024, using downtown streets and landmarks as stand-ins for Metropolis. Reported locations included Public Square, Ontario Street, the Detroit-Superior Bridge, Progressive Field, and the Cleveland Arcade, with additional Northeast Ohio filming in Mentor.

The same film was publicly tied to Ohio’s incentive program in 2024 and was associated with millions of dollars in tax credits and a substantial in-state spend. Reports tied to that production described thousands of hires for crew and background work in Ohio.

Why the “Exodus” filing matters locally

Even without confirmation of a Cleveland shoot, the filing signals that Ohio is being considered for another large production cycle during the summer months. For Northeast Ohio, major studio shoots typically affect multiple sectors at once, including short-term employment for crew, demand for hotel rooms, and contracts for catering, transportation, security, and equipment rental.

• Project listed title: “Exodus”
• Proposed Ohio filming window: June 15–Aug. 21, 2026
• Projected Ohio production cost: $6.6 million
• Requested tax credit: nearly $2 million

State incentive filings can indicate intent, but they do not confirm where or whether filming will ultimately take place.

For Cleveland-area residents and businesses, the next concrete signals to watch are permit activity, road-closure notices, casting calls, and formal confirmation of tax-credit approval and production scheduling.