PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Batman is coming back to Pittsburgh!

Well, not exactly, Christian Bale, who was here shooting the latest epic about the Caped Crusader last year, is returning to town to film another movie. And Matt Damon will be setting up shop here, too.

It’s looking like a busy spring in the ‘Burgh as two movie production companies have already given the thumbs up.

“The film tax credit is what’s bringing everybody here,” says Jessica Conner of the Pittsburgh Film Office.

Matt Damon, John Kraninski and Frances McDormand are set with director Gus Van Sant for “Promised Land.”

The Pittsburgh Film Office is already posting openings for crew jobs with others for extras and vendors coming soon.

Actor Christian Bale who opens in “Batman: The Dark Knight Rises” this July is returning here to head up the cast of “Out of the Furnace.”

Bale’s new project is described as “gritty and blue collar.”

It will be filming on the streets of Braddock and in Rankin. Braddock also provided a backdrop for a 1941 book with a similar title: “Out of THIS Furnace” written by steelworker Thomas Bell.

The Bale movie is based on a different book, and the actor and director Scott Cooper did some low-key reconnaissance last year.

“One of the biggest, nicest actors in the world was just coming out to check the community when he was here filming for Batman,” says Braddock’s Mayor John Fetterman.

It’s definitely a boost for a distressed steel town.

One of the reasons they wanted to stay in Braddock – they would love to film in the Edgar Thomson Plant – a great, historic mill.

If “Batman” can’t help Braddock, then who can?

And does Mayor Fetterman have plans to hang out with the Caped Crusader?

“No, I’m not that cool,” he says.

RELATED LINKS:
Pittsburgh Film Office
More Entertainment News