After two weeks of set-building in the Northern Quarter, shooting of Captain America is due to start today.

A car chase scene in the Hollywood blockbuster will be filmed in the neighbourhood over the next two weeks at an estimated cost of £26 million.

Set builders have been transforming buildings on Dale Street and Tariff Street into authentic 1940s New York shops since 6 September. In the last few days, eagle-eyed film buffs have spotted vintage cars being shipped in on transporters and quickly stored under wraps in a nearby car park.

Roads in and around the film set close completely from this morning. Pedestrians will still have access, although they are advised that they may have to wait for barriers to be lifted to cross streets while the cameras roll.

The film, based on the adventures of the Marvel Comics superhero and due for release in July 2011, stars Chris Evans as Captain America. Co-stars include Hugo Weaving, Samuel L. Jackson, Dominic Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci.

The Captain America Filming in Manchester website has daily updates on the filming process, including plenty of photos.