April - June
Screen Saviors
Though Anthony and Joe Russo's Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a box-office success, for Clevelanders the April 4 premiere was the big payoff as our city dartred in the action-packed flick that shot here the summer before. Explosions, gunfire and car chases along the West Shoreway played out larger-than-life as glimpses of the Cleveland Museum of Art's glittering atrium and other city landmarks cut in and out during the film, which would go on to gross $714 million globally. While the Cleveland natives are busy planning 2016's Captain America: Civil War, which will shoot in Atlanta and Germany, Anthony talks to us about The Winter Soldier's big year.
Right after we showed our cut to Marvel and Disney, they liked it so much they immediately asked us to do the next one. As a film-friendly location, Cleveland performed extremely well. Everybody we know in the film business thinks very highly of it.
A majority of the same people who made Winter Soldier are coming back for Civil War. Everybody was really disappointed we weren't going back to Cleveland. We would be going back for this movie if the city had soundstages. I'm really rooting for Ivan Schwarz and the Greater Cleveland Film Commission to pull that off sooner rather than later, because we definitely would have come back with this movie to Cleveland. The more positivity that can be put out there the easier it is for people to clue in to Cleveland and tap into that and realize what an awesome city it is.
It's a dream come true to be able to do personal stories on such a large scale. The most satisfying thing for us was getting the feedback from audiences that we made a good movie. That is the most important thing. It doesn't get any better than that. - as told to John Hitch
Manziel Mania
Northeast Ohioans jumped on the Johnny Football bandwagon. Hover over the arrows below to get a look at the Cleveland Browns backup quarterback's moments of glory and the times he's dropped the ball.
Losing is hard. We get it. But flipping the bird on national TV during a preseason game? Take a seat, rook.
"Hello. I can't hear you. There's too much money in my f@#$ing hand." That's the problem with money phones.
Less than a month after the draft, blurry pics surface of Manziel sprawled out on an inflatable swan, drinking a bottle of Champagne. Jimmy Haslam is not impressed.
Golf Digest's December issue features Manziel striking a Heisman pose. Isn't it a little too early to be thinking about retirement?
Fresh Brewed Tees' Johnny Manziel Money T-shirts sell out three hours after founder Tony Madalone releases the design.
Johnny Mania reaches a foodie pitch with the debut of the Johnny Footlong at Canal Park, "How Ya Doin' Johnny" ice cream from Pav's Creamery in Akron and the Johnny Manzieltini at Twiisted Sushi Grill Bar among others.
TMZ Sports calls out Manziel for cursing at a referee during the Cavs season opener at The Q. A bad call is a bad call — he's just being a Clevelander like the rest of us.
With the Browns down by 25 points to the Titans, cameras catch Manziel laughing it up. In his defense, practice squad quarterback Connor Shaw is just that funny.
A spandex and headband-clad "Johnny JamBoogie" breaks a sweat in a satisfying Snickers commercial. Hey, he's got to stay in shape somehow.
His No. 2 jersey sells more than any other NFL player on NFLShop.com in the first quarter of the league's fiscal year.
Johnny Improv seems confused while heading to the sidelines against the Ravens — then goes out for a pass. Though illegal, the trick play was still pretty awesome to watch.
Seconds after he's drafted, Johnny Football delights disappoints us by flashing his money sign as he meets NFL commissioner Roger Goodell onstage.
Rumors swirl that Browns starting quarterback Brian Hoyer refuses to sign a contract with Manziel still on the team. Hoyer denies the report the next day.
