Directed by Matt Reeves, “The Batman” is a superhero thriller based on the eponymous DC Comics character. It follows Bruce Wayne AKA the masked vigilante Batman in his second year as Gotham’s protector, where he suddenly comes face to face with a sadistic serial killer named Riddler. As Batman races against time to stop and identify the Riddler, he finds himself drawn into the city’s corrupt system that is tied to his own dark past.
So the billionaire crusader must face his demons to defeat the Riddler and bring justice before it’s too late. Gotham City’s dark backdrop creates the perfect canvas for the film’s layered narrative and characters, complementing its pacing. Fans around the world are very curious about the exciting locations where “The Batman” was filmed. Without further ado, here are the answers to everyone’s questions. Let’s start!
Batman filming locations
‘The Batman’ was filmed in various parts of England and Scotland, particularly in Liverpool, London, Watford, Bedford, Glasgow and Shotts. Parts of it were also shot in Illinois, specifically Chicago. Principal photography for the film began on January 27, 2020, but was abruptly halted on March 14, 2020 due to the pandemic.
After overcoming several challenges like government permits for filming and lead actor Robert Pattinson testing positive for Covid-19, filming resumed on September 17, 2020. All safety protocols were strictly followed and production went on. finally wrapped on March 13, 2021. Now, let’s take a closer look at the filming locations.
Liverpool, England
“The Batman” was filmed in several locations in Liverpool, a sprawling maritime city in England. Some of these include the Royal Liver Building at Pier Head, Anfield Cemetery at 238 Priory Road, and St George’s Hall, where Gotham City Hall was recreated. The scenes at Gotham General Hospital and Gotham Central Courthouse were recorded at the Walker Art Gallery and County Sessions House, respectively. Additionally, the Halloween market scene was photographed near the Wellington Memorial Statue, aka Wellington’s Column.
Fear not Merseyside, RPattz watches over the city! #Batman #BatmanFilming #Liverpool #Robert Pattinson pic.twitter.com/y6oBNYnjeR
— Georgia (@GeorgiaRich_Bar) October 15, 2020
Liverpool was once a major port city and is famous for its culture, sports, arts and architecture. The city’s many parks and open spaces, such as the Victorian parks of Merseyside, are of historical significance. The films “Munich: The Edge of War” and “Tolkien”, as well as the television series “Peaky Blinders” and “The Crown”, were filmed in Liverpool.
London, England
Significant parts of “The Batman” were recorded in London, the capital of England. The cast and crew filmed at Two Temple Palace and the Kingsway Tram Tunnel in Southampton Row. Additionally, the Iceberg Lounge scenes were recorded at Printworks Nightclub on Surrey Quays Road. London stands on the River Thames and is an international hub for arts, commerce, fashion, entertainment, finance, ethnic diversity and tourism. The global city is home to many iconic sites such as Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Kew Gardens and the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Movies like ‘Belfast’, ‘Eternals’, ‘Spencer’ and ‘No Time to Die’ were also filmed in London.
Watford, England
Some scenes from “The Batman” were then shot in Watford, a charming county town in Hertfordshire. Filming took place at Warner Brothers Studios Leavesden, located on Warner Drive in Leavesden, Watford. The 200-acre studio complex is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and is one of the largest film studios in the country. It was previously a British airfield named Leavesden Airfield. The films “Kingsman: The Golden Circle”, the “Harry Potter” series and “Zach Snyder’s Justice League” were also shot in these studios.
Bedford, England
Crucial segments of the film were shot in Bedford, a beautiful county town in Bedfordshire. The production team recorded scenes at Cardington Studios, located in Hangar 2 at Cardington Airfield. The site is a former Royal Air Force station which housed renowned airships. Some of the films that were shot at Cardington Studios include ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’, ‘Inception’ and ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’.
Glasgow, Scotland
Besides the above locations, “The Batman” was filmed in Glasgow, a port city on the River Clyde. Few footage has been recorded at Glasgow Necropolis, a Victorian graveyard on a hill to the east of St. Mongoose’s Cathedral. About 50,000 people were buried at this site. Glasgow is renowned for its culture, music and architecture, and has hosted several sporting events. Moreover, it is the largest economy in the country. ‘1917’, ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’ and ‘The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star’ are some movies filmed in the city.
Shotts, Scotland
The Gotham orphanage in the film was recreated at Hartwood Mental Hospital in Shotts, a village in the North Lanarkshire region. It is located halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Shotts is home to a number of local football teams and is the birthplace of many famous Scottish personalities. HMP Shotts Prison is a renowned high security prison located near Shotts.
Chicago, Ill.
The exterior scenes of Gotham in “The Batman” were recorded in Chicago, a bustling city on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is known for its remarkable skyline and architecture that mixes outdoor public art, monuments and giant skyscrapers. Chicago is historically significant and a major hub for transportation, culture, finance, literature, and the performing arts.
Chicago has officially become Gotham City again! Filming starts soon! #The Batman #GothamCity 🦇 pic.twitter.com/NLqeGkuQAs
— J’onn Larod (@the_juandy_city) October 16, 2020
Some of the important landmarks in the city are Millenium Park, Willis Tower, Magnificent Mile and Hyde Park. Many TV shows like “Emily in Paris”, “Gotham” and “Station Eleven” were filmed in Chicago.
Read more: The Batman review: A dark bat that invigorates the Cape Crusader
