Superman flies in to the north-west

A property near Breeza is being transformed into the Kansas family farm where the young Clark Kent grew up before becoming the Man of Steel.

While filming of the Warner Bros Pictures movie is not expected to start until March, the wheels are already in motion with construction underway of a complete Kent farm replica, 45km from Tamworth.

The shell is beginning to take shape on the Breeza Plains property as builders and carpenters work around the clock to get the site ready for its scheduled March 3 production date.

Earlier last week, trucks and other vehicles were seen delivering equipment, tanks and sets to the site, which is dotted with shipping containers being used by workers to store tools and sets.

Additional sets, which have been built at Fox Studios in Sydney, are expected to arrive at the site in the coming weeks, including a number of chimney stacks for the farmhouse and a Kansas-style barn to be built near the house.

Speaking from Los Angeles Warner Bros Pictures publicity spokesman Mark Cohen confirmed the Breeza property would be used to film some of the first scenes of the new Superman movie.

"It's early days yet, but I can say a property in that area is being transformed into the Kent farm for the film," Mark said.

"Production isn't due to start on the film for another two months, but the sets have already been built and are awaiting to be erected on the site.

"We chose the Breeza Plains area because of its picturesque location."

A landscaper, who said she had been employed as a gardener on the film, arrived from Queensland last Tuesday and will work at the site until production begins in March.

Bryan Singer, who directed the popular X-Men movies, will direct the Warner Bros Pictures film, which will star little-known American actor Brandon Routh as Superman, the role made famous by Christopher Reeve. The 25-year-old was signed to star in the film last year, after an exhaustive search throughout the US and UK. Pre-production sources believe that in the semi-sequel to the first two Superman films, the classic hero returns to Earth after having been missing for six long years and what he finds astounds him.

The world he knew has changed for the worse. In his absence the forces of evil have regrouped like never before, even Lex Luthor, tipped to be played by Kevin Spacey, once an outcast, has risen to the heights of power in Metropolis.

Location manager for the movie Peter Lawless said he was contacted last year by Sydney-based company Red Sun Productions to find an ideal site to film the Kent farm replica.

"The property we have chosen to film scenes of the Kent farm is perfect," Mr Lawless said.

"The backdrop overlooks the Breeza Plains and is very similar to that of the first Superman movie.

"It's an ideal location."

Lawless, who is now working in Bellingen on the movie Eucalyptus, starring Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe, said for part of the film to be shot here is a great coup for the area.

"It's wonderful for the area as those involved in the filming will need somewhere to stay while shooting is being carried out," he said.

Tamworth Regional Council marketing co-ordinator Tony Pearson said he had heard rumours that parts of the movie were to be filmed on the outskirts of town, but nothing had been confirmed until now.

"We had heard talk, but nothing official until now," Mr Pearson said.

"There had been rumours that the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre would be used, but we've heard nothing since."