The hotly anticipated Batman sequel will officially shoot in Merseyside this week, with crews using locations within the Liverpool City Region to capture the second outing of Matt Reeves’ vision for the Caped Crusader.
The old entrance to the Birkenhead tunnel on Rendel Street was covered by large fencing earlier this month as teams were seen on site. The ECHO has confirmed official photography took place around the tunnel last night, with additional shots being taken throughout this week.
Within the closed site, a white car with blue trim bearing the markings GPD – thought to represent Gotham Police Department – could be spotted. The Liverpool Film Office is facilitating the production, which is only expected to be around the tunnel for this week. It has not been confirmed if crews will return for additional scenes.
Previous Filming in Liverpool
Shot during the height of the covid-19 restrictions, The Batman went on to be a smash hit for DC and Warner Bros. Starring Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne and his alter ego caped crusader, it grossed around £578m worldwide when it was released in 2022. The sequel was officially confirmed to be in cinemas for October 2027 before being pushed back to 2028.
Trade publications have listed Liverpool as a filming location for the long-awaited DC Comics sequel. In May, various vehicles were spotted outside St George’s Hall, including cars mocked up to appear as Gotham Police cruisers and yellow US-style taxis. The Birkenhead tunnel was also used in the dead of night with the police cars while Robert Pattinson’s stunt double was also spotted on top of a moving car.
Aside from the Merseytravel bus stop that escaped post-production, one of the most striking images to come out of the city in the last few years was the sight of Batman swooping down from the Liver Building, doubling as the Gotham City Police Department building. Shooting also took place at Anfield Cemetery for a scene involving Batman and Catwoman. Stunt doubles were seen on location for a motorbike shot.
Technical Recce and Upcoming Shoots
During their day in Liverpool earlier this summer, cameras were spotted on location outside St George’s Hall with the Bat symbol adorned on them. The ECHO understands that visit was part of a technical recce by the studio, rather than a full formal shoot. Principal photography was confirmed to have begun by director Matt Reeves and members of the cast via social media. After completing work at the tunnel, the shoot will move onto the Jubilee Bridge in Runcorn over the weekend.
Economic Impact and Training Programme
The Batman is the latest in a series of major productions to have been secured for the city in the last seven years through the Liverpool Film Office. Since 2019, more than 1,600 productions have said This City Is Ours and set up shop here, generating £150m for the local economy. The Liverpool Film Office is part of Liverpool Council and is funded by the city budget, earned income and external grants. To date, it has invested £2.8m, with fund-supported productions receiving more than 60 award nominations and 19 industry awards, including four BAFTAs and two International Emmys.
It has now launched a new training and work experience programme with the Andy Taylor Foundation named Foot in the Door Liverpool, designed to help young people who are not currently in education, employment or training (NEET) access careers in the rapidly growing digital media sector. Launching this Autumn, the seven-week programme will support 12 Liverpool residents aged 18-21 through a combination of intensive skills training and work experience placements with leading employers across the region.
