It looks as if long-time Batman foe Hugo Strange could appear in Batgirl when it hits HBO Max.Journalist Craig Williams shared some images from the Glasgow set of Batgirl, and the account @BatgirlFilm quickly guessed that one of the posters seen around the set could be teasing Hugo Strange. The image quickly began circulating, with fans sharing their excitement for the malicious doctor's arrival in the DCEU.
Created by Batman creators Bill Finger and Bob Kane, Strange debuted in 1940's Detective Comics #36. One of the Dark Knight's oldest rogues, Strange is a scientist often found creating various machines and experiments to terrorize Gotham and Batman. Most famously, he's run Arkham Asylum across various media, experimenting on the inmates to advance his schemes.
Strange has appeared in various animated films and TV shows and was played in his live-action debut by B.D. Wong on Gotham. Batgirl will seemingly be set in the DCEU film universe, however, as J.K. Simmons will reprise his Justice League role as Commissioner Gordon and Michael Keaton will play Batman once again after appearing in The Flash. As such, a new actor will presumably step into the role if the character is in fact showing up. And it seems fans are hoping he does, given the reaction on Twitter to the possible tease.
Batgirl was announced in March 2017, with Joss Whedon set to write, direct and produce the theatrical film. Not long after, however, word broke that Whedon had left the project. In May 2021, Bad Boys for Life directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah signed on to direct, with The Flash, Birds of Prey, and Bumblebee writer Christina Hodson tackling the script. Leslie Grace then signed on to star in the film as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in July 2021.
Along with Simmons, Keaton, and Grace, Batgirl will see Brendan Fraser playing Firefly, another long-running Batman foe. There have also been rumors of other DC characters showing up, but no other actors have been confirmed so far.
Batgirl will premiere exclusively on HBO Max. The film does not yet have a release date.