A main character from 1989's Batman may be joining the DC Extended Universe in Batgirl.A behind-the-scenes photo of the film's set, taken by Steve Colmer and shared via the Batgirl Film News account on Twitter, shows the cover of the November 2022 issue of fictional magazine Gotham Life. Among the articles promoted is one titled "Vicki Vale: A life behind the lens -- A retrospective of her stunning photojournalism," by Lindsey McGee. "Vicki Vale is back in the DCEU!" the tweet text reads.
Debuting in 1948's Batman #49 by Bill Finger, Jim Mooney and Ira Schnapp, Vicki Vale is a journalist who has worked for multiple publications throughout Gotham City. Her work often involves interacting with Batman, leading to Vicki investigating the mystery of his secret identity -- unaware that it's her on-again/off-again paramour, Bruce Wayne. Kim Basinger famously played Vicki in 1989's Batman, where she served as both a love interest for Bruce Wayne and a victim to be terrorized by the Joker. Basinger was set to reprise the role in early versions of the sequel, 1992's Batman Returns, but was written out of the final draft to make room for a romance with Selina Kyle/Catwoman. The film explained Vicki's absence by implying she ultimately couldn't accept Bruce's double life.
Vicki isn't the only part of the original Batman movie returning for Batgirl. In December 2021, a cast list for the film revealed that Michael Keaton will reprise his role as the Dark Knight after doing so in The Flash. Leslie Grace, who stars as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, casually confirmed Keaton's casting by saying, "the bat's out of the bag." Set photos also indicate Keaton may be donning a new Batman costume for the film.
Fans have found loads of Easter eggs hidden in the behind-the-scenes photos of Batgirl's Glasgow set, leading to speculation about what may or may not be canon in the DCEU. A front-page article from another in-universe magazine teases, "The shadowy truth behind the Court of Owls," the cult-like cabal of elites discretely controlling Gotham City, while a poster features someone who bears a resemblance to Professor Hugo Strange, a corrupt scientist and psychologist obsessed with Batman. One of the murals that show off the Dark Knight's new costume also features Robin, indicating that the Boy Wonder is still a known figure in the DCEU and may even have a part to play in the story.
Batgirl will premiere exclusively on HBO Max, but a release date has yet to be announced.
Source:Â Twitter