Fans are convinced hotly-anticipated Batgirl movie will introduce DCEU’s first trans character
Batgirl star Leslie Grace shares a picture form filming (Instagram/HBO Max)
Batgirl star Leslie Grace appears to have confirmed that the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) will be expanding its LGBT+ representation thanks to the inclusion of the trans character Alysia Yeoh.
The HBO Max movie is still in the early stages of production but some of the scenes being filmed had fans convinced that the beloved trans character from DC Comics would be appearing alongside Grace’s Barbara Gordon.
New pictures and footage saw Grace shooting scenes with fellow actor Ivory Aquino, a trans star who recently appeared in Dustin Lance Black’s docuseries When We Rise.
As images from the project began to appear online, fans of the comic book series recognised Aquion as the fan-favourite character Alysia Yeoh.
It seems that Ivory Aquino has been cast as Alysia Yeoh!! pic.twitter.com/eFBDATy81j
— Batgirlupdates (@batgirlupdates) January 18, 2022
Batgirl star Leslie Grace filming with Ivory Aquino (Instagram)
Indeed, the Batgirl set images came after Warner Bros had casting calls for “a mid-to-late 20’s Asian American trans woman” for a supporting role in the 2022 film.
Tuesday (18 January) then saw Grace confirm speculation as she shared a screenshot from filming, which read: “BARBARA AND ALYSIA.”
Yeoh is Gordon’s roommate and best friend in the comics, and the character was originally created by legendary comic book writer Gail Simone.
At the time of her comic book debut in 2011, Yeoh was noted for being the first major trans character written in a contemporary context for a mainstream comic book.
Barbra Gordon and Alysia Yeoh straight out of the comics! ? #Batgirl pic.twitter.com/7V56MMTyl2— Batgirl Film News ? (@BatgirlFilm) January 17, 2022
Its official! Ivory Aquino is playing Alysia Yeoh in Batgirl! pic.twitter.com/5shTVDiIYy— Zay (@JonnsChocos) January 19, 2022
The character was also part of the first-ever trans wedding in Batgirl #45, when she marries her girlfriend, Jo, with Gordon serving as the couple’s maid of honour.
Yeoh’s inclusion in the film is a huge step forward for LGBT+ representation in superhero movies, as both the DCEU and Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) slowly increase the number of queer characters in their film and television projects.
Batgirl is written by Christina Hodson and directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah and the film is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max in 2022.
