Photos: 'Empire' Stars Draw Crowds At Art Institute Shoot
By Emma G. Gallegos in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 27, 2015 9:40PM
It looks like the Loop has been cast in the role of New York City for season 2 of Fox's Empire. Some of the show's biggest stars, including Terrence Howard and Jussie Smollett, were spotted filming scenes in Chicago today. Fans who stumbled across the shoots kind of lost their minds.
The scene being shot at the Art Institute in particular drew a lot of attention. The museum was transformed into a New York courthouse being mobbed by fictional reporters—complete with TV news vans parked out front (and around the block).
Empire has been a boon for Chicago, drawing on locations around the city as well as local talent.
#TerrenceHoward #Empire filming a scene in #Chicago pic.twitter.com/RUAB343SwD
— Sasha (@SashaVII) July 27, 2015Watching Terrence Howard film a scene for Empire.
I love this city. #empire #filming #OnSet #chicago pic.twitter.com/0zcY0oBQhR
— Jennifer (@JenniferB1023) July 27, 2015.@ChicagoLions What's going on outside the Art Institute today? pic.twitter.com/Dskv7zkYTX
— Krystle (@Tax_Barbie) July 27, 2015Fake News New York is in Chicago today. #Empire pic.twitter.com/9NZ1FT8yLu
— Richard Roeper (@richardroeper) July 27, 2015The ladies were getting a little hysterical! pic.twitter.com/MAKHXJ27oY
— Filming in Chicago (@filming_chicago) July 27, 2015Film crews were spotted at other venues around the Near North Side, including near The Westin Chicago River North:
They're filming an episode of #Empire across the street from my hotel!! #Chicago pic.twitter.com/sNG5DMSUrz
— Mel Moraes (@melmoraes) July 27, 2015Saw the Empire men on Dearborn...my heart is still racing! @filming_chicago pic.twitter.com/Y9lNctSGHB
— Samantha (@sammyflorey) July 27, 2015Some fans were able to snag selfies with the cast:
JULY, 27: Fanpics of @TerrenceHoward and @JussieSmollett on set of #Empire in Chicago! http://t.co/Wx00SpbeJ8 pic.twitter.com/kk2zzOPjFH
— The Lyon's Empire (@lyonsempirefox) July 27, 2015