While there have been many reincarnations of the notorious vigilante Batman, we have seldom seen Batgirl in the lead. Now her time has come, and to say we're excited would be an understatement.

There aren't a ton of details out there about the new movie, though with filming underway we are getting more and more behind-the-scenes snaps and teases to keep us tantalised. So until we get official stills, teasers and trailers, here's what we know so far about the new Batgirl movie.

leslie grace wearing a black dress with plunging neckline and long brown hair worn down slicked back
Rodin Eckenroth//Getty Images

Batgirl release date: When will Batgirl be out?

As of writing, Batgirl is scheduled for release on HBO Max sometime in 2022, with an exact date unknown. In addition, there's no UK release plan yet, as HBO Max still only operates in the US.

Batgirl cast: Who will be in the Batgirl movie?

In The Heights star Leslie Grace will play the titular vigilante, aka Barbara Gordon, who is also the daughter of police commissioner Jim Gordon. There are some familiar faces joining Grace, including JK Simmons reprising his role as Commissioner Gordon.

jk simmons in may 2018
Greg Doherty/Getty Images

Michael Keaton will reprise his role as Batman, and Brendan Fraser is also expected to make an appearance as the villain Firefly, aka Garfield Lynns.

In undisclosed roles, Jacob Scipio, Rebecca Front, Corey Johnson and Emmerdale's Ethan Kai have been added to the cast. Kai's role is being touted as a 'leading character', but what that means is still enigmatic.

Ivory Aquino has been confirmed to be playing the first transgender DC character, Alysia Yeoh. In the comics, Alysia and Barbara are roommates who become best friends (and it seems they will be friends in the film).

ivory aquino
David Crotty//Getty Images

In later issues, she marries a political activist named Jo Munoz, but whether or not the film pulls from the comics for her character arc (or any of the film's plot) remains to be seen.

Batgirl plot: What will Batgirl be about?

The short story is: we have no idea. What we do know is that the creative team is going for a comics-accurate aesthetic.

Grace recently shared a photo of herself in costume, with a quote pulled directly from the comics. It reads: "I use their expectations against them. That will be their weakness. Not mine. Let them all underestimate me [...] And when their guard is down, and their pride is rising, let me kick their butts [...] – Batgirl, Year One."

DC Comics Batgirl TP Vol 01 The Batgirl Of Burnside (N52)

Batgirl TP Vol 01 The Batgirl Of Burnside (N52)

DC Comics Batgirl TP Vol 01 The Batgirl Of Burnside (N52)

£11 at Amazon

The costume looks inspired by the Batgirl of Burnside comic by Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher, Babs Tarr and Maris Wicks. The hallmarks of the costume are from her early days as a crime fighter, which means that it might not be the only costume she wears as she evolves throughout the movie.

In 2016, Batgirl was meant to appear in a team-up film with Harley Quinn which became Birds of Prey. Batgirl was dropped from the team-up so her character could be developed for a solo movie.

ethan kai and leslie grace, filming batgirl in glasgow
Ewan Bootman/Shutterstock

Whether this means Batgirl will acknowledge the events of Birds of Prey (or other DC Extended Universe movies) remains to be seen. Producer Kristin Burr teased: "With Batgirl, we hope to take the audience on a fun ride and see a different side of Gotham. Christina's script is crackling with spirit. Adil and Bilall have an excited and joyous energy, which is infectious, making them the perfect filmmakers for this Batproject."

Batgirl trailer: When will the Batgirl trailer be out online?

It's likely going to be some time, as Batgirl only began filming in Glasgow in November 2021. For now, if you want any visual teases of what's to come, be sure to check out the stars' social media and, of course, bookmark this page.

Batgirl is set to be released on HBO Max.

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Gabriella Geisinger

Gabriella Geisinger is a freelance journalist and film critic, and was previously Deputy Movies Editor at Digital Spy. She loves Star Wars, coming-of-age stories, thrillers, and true crime. A born and raised New Yorker, she also loves coffee and the colour black, obviously.