Glasgow looks set to don the mantle of Gotham City for a fourth time as preparations ramp up for The Batman: Part 2. With its dramatic Gothic and neoclassical architecture, rain-swept streets, and brooding alleyways, Scotland’s largest city has become a go-to backdrop for DC’s cinematic vision of the iconic crime-ridden metropolis. The city previously appeared in The Batman (2022), The Flash (2023), and the cancelled Batgirl film.
The latest indication of Glasgow’s return to the world of Gotham comes from production designer Luke Hull, who recently shared photos on Instagram from what appears to be a location-scouting visit. Hull, known for his Emmy-winning work on Chernobyl and the acclaimed Star Wars series Andor, posted images featuring Anderston railway station and the exterior of Glasgow Cathedral—both locations strongly associated with Gotham’s onscreen grit and grandeur.
The Batman: Part 2Â officially entered pre-production this year, with principal photography scheduled to begin in January 2026. While most filming will take place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in England, key exterior scenes will once again be shot in Glasgow, as well as Liverpool. The highly anticipated sequel is slated for a theatrical release on October 1, 2027.
Robert Pattinson will reprise his critically praised role as the Dark Knight, joined once more by Colin Farrell, Andy Serkis, and Jeffrey Wright. Director Matt Reeves has teased a more complex and unsettling chapter for Bruce Wayne. “It’s another mystery that’s going to dig into the epic story about deeper corruption,” Reeves said. He also hinted that the film’s villain will be unlike anything previously attempted in Batman cinema—one that ties directly into Bruce Wayne’s past.
Glasgow’s role in shaping the visual identity of The Batman franchise has been widely acknowledged by both Reeves and Pattinson. The city’s distinctive architecture helped create what Reeves called a “Gothic American city, but one that you’d never been to.” He praised Glasgow as “a very special Gotham,” wishing the production could have filmed there even more extensively during the first movie.
Scenes for The Batman filmed in February 2020—including those set around the Necropolis, Glasgow Cathedral, John Knox Street, and Cathedral Square—became some of the film’s most memorable closing moments. Pattinson echoed Reeves’ admiration, calling the city’s skyline “beautiful” and “unexpectedly perfect for Gotham.”
Glasgow’s popularity as a filming destination continues to rise. In 2024 alone, the city hosted 140 productions—including Spider-Man: Brand New Day and JJ Abrams’ upcoming blockbuster—bringing an estimated £33 million to the local economy.
With The Batman: Part 2 now preparing to descend once more upon its shadowy streets, Glasgow’s cinematic legacy as Gotham appears stronger than ever.
