Every Batgirl Set Photo: What They Reveal About The Movie & DCEU

With filming underway on the latest DC Extended Universe movie, Batgirl set photos have provided multiple reveals about its story and the DCEU canon. Warner Bros. and DC Films have started to find their footing with the DCEU in recent years and developed hits of all kinds, ranging from Shazam! to Aquaman to Joker. Their plan for Batman and his related characters is a bit more complicated, as Ben Affleck’s exit opened the door for Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson to reboot the Dark Knight outside of the DCEU in The Batman. However, the shared universe is still incorporating the Bat-Family in various ways.

WB and DC began developing a Batgirl movie in 2017, with Joss Whedon originally brought aboard to write and direct. That changed after Justice League‘s release, leading to Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) writer Christina Hodson taking over the script. Bad Boys for Life directors Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi then took over as directors, and In the Heights star Leslie Grace was cast as Barbara Gordon. She’ll be joined by Michael Keaton’s Batman, who returns after The Flash, and Brendan Fraser’s Firefly, as well as others. Other than knowing the main villain, Batgirl story details have been tough to come by.

Due for release in 2022 on HBO Max, Batgirl began filming in Glasgow, Scotland in early 2022. Thanks to plenty of on-location shooting, the internet has become flooded with various Batgirl set photos. While not all of them are terribly revealing, there are multiple that could be noteworthy for what they mean for the DCEU canon and future, as well as the movie’s story. Here’s everything the Batgirl set photos have revealed about the story and DCEU so far.

Barbara Gordon Works For GCPD

It is confirmed that Barbara Gordon works for the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) in Batgirl. This is not a huge part of Barbara’s story in the comics, but other mediums have explored her interest in law enforcement. The recent comics set in the Batman ’89 continuity showed Barbara become a member of the GCPD, while the Arkham video game series saw her become Batgirl because Jim Gordon forbids her from joining the force. With J.K. Simmons returning as the GCPD commissioner, it seems the movie is not going to copy the latter. Instead, it could be Barbara’s time with the GCPD that fuels her desire to become Batgirl, especially if her job mostly keeps her tied to a desk.

Michael Keaton’s Batman Has A Robin

One of the biggest DCEU reveals from Batgirl‘s set photos is the revelation that Michael Keaton’s Batman had a Robin. Photos revealed a mural of Keaton’s Batman featured with his boy wonder. The return of Keaton’s Bruce Wayne comes after he’ll appear in The Flash, which will clearly end with him becoming the DCEU’s main version of the Dark Knight. Rewriting the timeline to include him now seems to have rewritten Batman’s past to give him a sidekick. There isn’t a direct confirmation that the Robin featured is Dick Grayson, but that is the common assumption – especially following another set photo tease.

Nightwing’s Court of Owls Story Is DCEU Canon

The Batgirl set photos also revealed that the Court of Owls are part of the DCEU, and that Dick Grayson’s story with them is canon. A magazine cover for Gotham Tattler teased uncovering the truth behind the Court of Owls. At the top right of the cover, the magazine reads “Owls tried to recruit me says former circus child star.” The young circus star referenced here is certainly Dick Grayson. His circus group was chosen by the Court of Owls to train new Talons for the group, and Dick was selected to be one. That changed once his parents died and Bruce Wayne adopted the young boy and turned him into a hero. With rumors of Nightwing appearing in Batgirl, this set photo provides some background on the DCEU’s version of Dick Grayson.

Tim Burton’s Vicki Vale Joins The DCEU

Another change to the DCEU canon confirmed for Batgirl is the introduction of Vicki Vale. Played by Kim Basinger in Batman ’89, Vicki Vale is an award-winning photojournalist. She attempted to uncover Batman’s secret identity in the movie, which put her in Joker’s crosshairs. Although Bruce and Vicki ended up together at the end of the movie, Batman Returns showed that they had separated and Vicki left Gotham. The Batgirl set photos show that she now exists in the DCEU as Gotham Life did a career retrospective on her for the November 2022 issue. Basinger isn’t featured on the cover, but perhaps she’ll make a cameo now.

BvS Courtroom Scene Still Happened

An intriguing reveal from Batgirl‘s set photos is the confirmation that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘s Capitol Building bombing is still canon. While this might seem like a foregone conclusion to some, it is worth pointing out due to the expectation that The Flash and Keaton’s Batman would change the DCEU’s past. It is possible that this magazine cover is referencing a different Capitol Building bombing or the same event that played out differently in a new DCEU timeline. If Batgirl keeps Batman v Superman‘s version of this scene as canon, then it will get quite confusing depending on what The Flash does with the timeline.

Lex Luthor’s Justice League Fate Changed

On top of referencing Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘s Capitol Building bombing, the same magazine does include an apparent retcon of Lex Luthor’s story, specifically his Justice League appearance. Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor was sent to Arkham Asylum at the end of BvS by Batman, but Justice League‘s ending showed that he broke out. Batgirl has now seemingly changed his fate in this possible new DCEU timeline. The Batgirl set photos confirm Lex is still in prison at Arkham Asylum in November 2022. It was previously believed that Justice League‘s events took place in 2017. Unless the new DCEU timeline shifts its events backward and places Batgirl between BvS and Justice League, this Lex Luthor reference can only be explained as a retcon (which puts Justice League‘s canonicity in question).

Batgirl Year One Comic Location Confirmed

The Batgirl set photos also confirmed the inclusion of an iconic location from the Batgirl: Year One comics: Infantino’s Costumes For All Occasions. Leslie Grace’s Barbara Gordon is seen entering the shop and carrying a bag from there in the photos. Barbara creates her Batgirl costume at the iconic Batgirl: Year One location in the comics. She designed the suit to spite her father and wear it to a masquerade ball. The rebellious act turned out to be part of her superhero origin story, as Moth Killer attacked the party and Barbara lept into action to stop him. A similar origin story could be included in Batgirl.

Batgirl Is Set Near Christmas 2022

It’s also been confirmed through various Batgirl set photos that the movie takes place near Christmas 2022. Magazine covers featured around the set are dated for November and December 2022, but there are also Christmas decorations and snow featured in several photos. This gives Batgirl a definitive place on the DCEU timeline. It might even tip-off when WB and DC want the movie to debut on HBO Max, as a holiday 2022 release now seems appropriate.

Hugo Strange Might Exist In The DCEU

Hugo Strange speculation has also mounted as a result of Batgirl‘s filming. Several posters have been seen on various walls showing a man with a sinister smile but spray paint over his eyes. The evil smirk has drawn similarities to Hugo Strange, an insane but brilliant psychologist and scientist who becomes a Batman villain. It is unknown if Hugo Strange will appear in Batgirl, but the movie might include Easter eggs like this to set him up as a future DCEU villain.

Stagg Enterprises: A Wonder Woman 1984 Connection?

Another Batgirl set photo included a van with Stagg Enterprises plastered on the side, which is a clear reference to Simon Stagg. The business is better known as Stagg Industries in the comics and was referenced as such in Wonder Woman 1984 when Simon Stagg, played by Oliver Cotton, appeared. Stagg was a financial partner for Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) in Wonder Woman 1984, but he was arrested due to Lord’s wish. Considering there is nearly a 40-year gap in the DCEU timeline between the Wonder Woman sequel and Batgirl, it is unlikely that Simon will make an appearance, but perhaps someone else associated with the business will.

Black Canary Is On The Rise

There have also been multiple posters in Batgirl set photos that reference Black Canary, who Jurnee Smollett played in Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). The meaning behind the posters could point to Dinah Lance’s rising musical career now that she’s not part of Roman Sionis’ club. They might also just tease the rising popularity of Black Canary as a hero in Gotham. With Smollett set to star in a Black Canary HBO Max movie, there’s a chance Black Canary will cameo in Batgirl, especially since Barbara and Dinah are quite close in the comics through the Birds of Prey team.

Klarion Easter Egg Teases Young Justice Villain

Another Batgirl set photo includes a potential nod to Klarion the Witch Boy from the comics. The pink poster features a man in a suit with devilish horns on his head, which is a striking similarity to Klarion’s look in the comics. Klarion is a villain who is primarily known for his association with the Young Justice team and Justice League Dark member Etrigan. However, he and Batgirl have crossed paths in the comics too. It’s unlikely a magical character like Klarion appears in Batgirl, but perhaps this Easter egg will be paid off in future DCEU projects.

About The Author

Cooper Hood
(5625 Articles Published)

Cooper Hood is a news and feature writer for Screen Rant. He joined Screen Rant in late 2016 following a year-long stint with MCU Exchange, which came after first developing an MCU blog of his own. He graduated college in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Media & Public Communication, with a minor in Media Production. Cooper’s love for movies began by watching Toy Story and Lion King on repeat as a child, but it wasn’t until The Avengers that he took an invested interest in movies and the filmmaking process, leading him to discover the world of film journalism. Every year Cooper looks forward to seeing the latest blockbusters from the likes of Marvel, DC, and Star Wars, but also loves the rush to catch up on Oscar films near the end of the year. When he isn’t writing about or watching new releases, Cooper is a fantasy football obsessive and looking to expand his Blu-Ray collection – because physical media is still king! Follow Cooper on Twitter @MovieCooper.

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