Members and set designers were making last minute adjustments Friday to transform Newark’s Market St. into 1980’s Gotham.

The film, related to the Batman DC Comics Superhero series, is directed by Todd Phillips, who directed The Hangover. Joaquin Phoenix starts as the Joker while other cast members include Robert DeNiro, Zazie Beetz, Marc Maron and Frances Conroy.

Market Street was chosen because of its location and store fronts that could be coverted to look like Gotham from the 1980’s. Not only that the price for fliming in New Jersey is cheaper than Manhattan according to NJ.COM

Filming begins Saturday morning through Sunday. Then, move to Monday and Tuesday evenings, when Market Street and several other streets will be blocked off for filming.

The outside of the 7-Eleven store was converted into a luncheonette diner with fake graffiti painted outside.

A Gotham Gazette newspaper stands on Market Street downtown Newark.

A police station on Market Street is converted into an electronic store (tv sets) for filming of the movie.

On Saturday (Oct.13). I was was able to see the set come together in person. The transformation is pretty dope! Who would of thought my city NEWARK would be selected as a location for filming. It’s great to see how everything came together and being able to witness the actors, extras and directors up close in action was well worth standing out in the cold.

Are you EXCITED as I am to see the Joker when it comes out?