Palmera City: The Fictional Metropolis Built to Anchor a New Latino Superhero Legacy

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: To establish Jaime Reyes as a unique leader in the DC Universe, filmmakers created Palmera City from scratch. By moving away from the comic book setting of El Paso, the production team crafted a distinct metropolitan identity that reflects the working-class struggles and cultural vibrancy of a modern Latino community.

Director Ángel Manuel Soto and screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer envisioned Palmera City as a foundational element for the character, drawing parallels to the iconic status of Metropolis for Superman or Gotham City for Batman. This original setting was designed to ground Jaime Reyes within a specific social context, highlighting the tensions of marginalized communities facing the constant threat of gentrification. By splitting the city into two distinct zones—the humble Reyes neighborhood and the affluent financial district—the film visually reinforces the class disparities that drive the narrative.

The decision to move the story from the comics' El Paso to this fictionalized metropolis was strategic, aiming to position the film as a cornerstone for the DC Universe. The creative team sought to avoid the standard superhero trope of a character immediately saving the world. Instead, they focused on a grounded, character-driven approach that emphasizes family dynamics and cultural identity. This focus is reflected in the production design, which integrates Latin American cultural touchstones, including references to iconic television shows like El Chapulín Colorado and María la del Barrio, to ensure the world felt authentic rather than monolithic.

Logistically, the production relied on a mix of practical locations and innovative filming techniques to bring this world to life. While the team filmed in various locations, including Decatur, Georgia, and Puerto Rico, the goal was to maintain a sense of place that felt lived-in. The production even faced a $10,000 fine after accidentally damaging a national heritage site at the Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Puerto Rico while attempting to capture a specific camera angle. This commitment to location-based storytelling, rather than an over-reliance on visual effects, was intended to keep the film's stakes intimate and its world-building tangible for the audience.

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