Glasgow transforms into Gotham as Batman: Part II filming draws crowds

Curious crowds and devoted Batman fans have flocked to Glasgow night after night to watch scenes from the latest film being shot in the city.

The city has once again been transformed into the fictional Gotham City for The Batman: Part II, owing to its historic architecture and local filming incentives.

Production crews spent several days dressing up Bothwell Street, Wellington Street and St Vincent Street with fake snow, hot dog stands and fictional sotrefronts such as Lacy’s and The Gotham Fork.

More than a dozen Gotham police cars, motorcycles and emergency unit vehicles line the street, alongside the Batmobile, which has taken centre stage during filming for a dramatic police chase scene.

The Batmobile tries to evade police in a scene shot in Glasgow. STV News

Hundreds, many travelling from outside of the city, have been gathering each night to see the action for themselves, equipped with phones, selfie sticks and, in one person’s case, step ladders.

Filming takes place at night, when the streets are fenced off with a large black sheet erected to prevent people from seeing in.

Insiders told STV News that security measures were put in place after individuals used laser pointers to distract crew members. It has also been reported that people have tried to sneak Irn-Bru cans onto the set, in the hopes of the soft drink landing a cameo in the finished movie.

However, despite weeks of work and filming, there is no sign of any major actors, including Batman himself – Robert Pattinson.

Jeffrey Wright, who plays Commissioner James Gordon, teased that he might be in Glasgow on social media.

The film also stars Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan and Andy Serkis.

Filming for The Batman: Part II continues into next week, with production moving to under the Kingston Bridge.