Heinz Field gets roughed up in Batman filming
-
Extras cast as fans of the Gotham Rogues cheer at Heinz Field during filming of "The Dark Knight Rises."
Share with others:
It was every football fan's nightmare, and every director's dream: terror and destruction on a beloved team's home field.
Explosions rocked Heinz Field and panicked spectators tried to flee amid screaming, scrambling and near-trampling, only to find the exits blocked by armed terrorists.
It was Saturday's installment of Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises," his third and final Batman movie filming in Pittsburgh through Aug. 21. The fans were assembled for a game between the make-believe Gotham Rogues and Rapid City Monuments.
"Forget Hollywood. You guys were great. I'll come to Pittsburgh any time for extras," an assistant director said after he led the crowd through three takes of a single reaction shot.
More than 10,000 extras who had been bused from the Civic Arena had been warned by an announcer not to mug for the cameras. "If you say 'Hi, Mom,' you're going to look like a fool. ... This is a scene of sheer horror."
PG VIDEO: MOVIE SHOOT AT HEINZ FIELDIn between takes, however, terror receded as smiling fans under umbrellas relaxed not far from the assault-rifle-wielding bad guys on the field. The crowd ranged from 14 years old (the minimum age) to senior citizens, although the majority were in their 20s and 30s.
While end zone lettering spelled out "Gotham Rogues" and the park was decked out with homemade signs such as "Rogue Rage," "Rogues Gallery" and "Rogue Nation," it sometimes felt like old home week.
Extras in the Rogues' colors of black and gold cheered as some Steelers players, including Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward, appeared as Gotham teammates.
Bill Cowher returned for his first coaching gig since leaving the Steelers after the 2006 season. Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of football operations, reunited with Mr. Cowher as an assistant Gotham coach.
First Published August 7, 2011 12:00 am
