Summer of Superman: Superhero Marketing Ploys

Superman is watching over the veteran’s memorial park along Route 34 in Plano.

He’s about three feet tall and plastic, but he’s perched in front of Roots Hair Studio and Barber Shop, on the southeast corner of Route 34 and Center Street. Given the recent heat, that may be less comfortable than his last home in the toy box of Roots’ owner Marcus Thomas’ grandchildren.

“When I found him, he was in excellent condition,” Thomas said. “I had to put him out.”

But the toy superhero has attracted a fair share of gawkers and photographers since construction crews descended on Plano, Thomas said.

The plastic figurine isn’t the only Superman image to surface in town in the weeks before filming for Man of Steel begins there. There will be a single day of filming in Plano on Wednesday, followed by more film work there from Aug. 22 to 29, Crain's Chicago Business reported Thursday.

The larger-than-life superhero was painted in the front window of the True Value hardware store, 217 E. South St. Across the street, the bakery inside the BP gas station has featured cookies with the Superman emblem for a few weeks.

“The guys working on the crew think its funny,” BP manager Rebecca Larrabee said.

Larrabee said she plans to place plastic Superman novelty rings in the center hole of sprinkle donuts and continue serving the frosted cookies. She said she has some Superman cake decoration designs, but she’s not planning anything else “unless someone gives me more ideas.”

Superhero-powered marketing has spilled into the housing market, too.

Real estate agent Edward Kirch brags that a single-family home is just blocks away from the set in the first line of his online advertisement. He’s hosting a “SUPERMAN open house” for the three-bedroom single-family home from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. Those who come wearing a Superman shirt or costume will be entered to win $150 off closing fees, according to a blog entry.

Other reports on movie filming:

• In LaSalle County, the Warner Brothers production company had permission to close the Route 52 bridge over the Fox River near Serena from Wednesday through Friday, Ottawa-based The Times reported.

• The Beacon-News reported that crews filmed a fight scene at an Aurora IHOP from Tuesday through Thursday. The Aurora-based newspaper also reported that Route 56 in Sugar Grove will be closed Aug. 7 to 10 for filming.

• Superman fan site Supermanhomepage.com posted photographs July 9 reportedly showing construction of the Kent family farmhouse in or near Plano.