U.S. senator as Metropolis governor? Debbie Stabenow talks about role in Batman vs Superman

stabenow superman.jpg

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, left, and Henry Cavill as Superman

(MLive file photos)

LANSING, MI -- Is U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan also serving as the governor of Metropolis, the home of Superman?

"I can't say," Stabenow said Tuesday morning on Michigan's Big Show with Michael Patrick Shiels. "I cannot confirm or deny."

Stabenow, a Democrat from Lansing, said that she was an extra in the "Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice" movie, which was filmed earlier this month at Michigan State University's Broad Art Museum in East Lansing.

Stabenow said it was “really terrific to see not only the movie being done in Michigan and East Lansing, but all the people working from Michigan.”

What did her role entail, Shiels asked, and did she have any lines?

“I really can’t say any more than that,” Stabenow said, noting she signed a confidentiality agreement.

The film has been shot on locations throughout Michigan this year, including the city of Detroit. It’s tentatively set to be released in 2016.

While there have been mayors of the city of Metropolis, Stabenow was asked if she was the governor of Metropolis during the interview. It is unclear if this is a new character in the movie, if that is the role Stabenow will actually play.

Stabenow said she was offered an opportunity to be in the film following conversations with her colleage, Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who has appeared in several Batman movies, including the one currently in production.

“How come you are out of state and I’m the home state senator?” Stabenow said she asked him.

“We were razzing each other back and forth,” Stabenow added, “and I guess somebody heard that I thought it would be fun and I was invited.”

Stabenow said the filming went late two days, until 3 to 4 o’clock in the morning. She even had a small place, like a trailer.

Although there were late hours, Stabenow said it was “great fun and lots of MSU students involved.”

Stabenow also talked about the state’s film incentive program. The Batman and Superman film received $35 million to film in Michigan, and Stabenow said she saw the impact of all the Michigan people who were working on the film program while on set.

"So I’ll tell you, when you look at the Bat Cave and look at all the other things in this movie, they were built by Michigan hands."

Gov. Rick Snyder proposed cutting film program funding in 2011, and incentives were capped at $25 million in his first budget. The cap was raised to $50 million in the next three budgets, including the current version for fiscal year 2015.

"Hopefully we can get that momentum back," Stabenow said.

Fritz Klug is a news buzz reporter for MLive. Contact him at fklug@mlive.com or 269-370-0584. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

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