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'It felt like I was really living in Gotham City'

Jenny ColemanBBC News, Liverpool
News imageConor McReynolds A police car with Gotham Police written on the side drives along a road. A green sign in the background says Gotham Docks in white capital letters. Film crews are in the background with lights.Conor McReynolds
Part of North John Street doubled up as Gotham Docks for filming of the new DC Studios movie

"I live in Gotham City. Big deep breath. I live in Gotham City."

This was Batman superfan Conor McReynolds's reaction after he watched Liverpool being transformed into a film set for the new DC Studios movie Clayface.

He has been a lifelong fan of the cape crusader and said it was "a real thrill to get the feeling of actually being on the streets of Gotham City".

Liverpool Crown Court in Derby Square was transformed into Gotham Hospital with a temporary emergency entrance sign at the entrance as it became part of the film set.

Fake graffiti appeared on walls and litter was strewn across the streets to recreate the fictional city best known as the home of Batman.

News imageConor McReynolds An American style Hot Dog stall and car are parked on a Liverpool city centre street. Film crew are moving cables and props.Conor McReynolds
A hot dog stall, American cars and a fire hydrant appeared on North John Street

"The level of detail on the sets was really astounding," Mr McReynolds added.

North John Street became almost unrecognisable as American cars and street furniture were brought in for the filming.

Members of the public gathered to watch and said it was "incredible" to see the city transformed.

News imageOut In Liverpool Film crew are stood outside Liverpool Crown Court which is being used as a film set. A red sign across the front of the building says Emergency Entrance in white capital letters. A large amount of film crew are gathered as filming takes place with actors stood on the steps.Out In Liverpool
Actor Eddie Marsan (centre on steps) was spotted during filming outside Liverpool Crown Court

Part of North John Street was transformed into Gotham Docks and the Aloft Hotel appeared to be a courthouse with the City of Gotham flag and American flag seen flying on the building.

Mr McReynolds said: "Small details like Gotham licence plates on cars, Gotham-specific graffiti on walls and advertising for businesses within the DC Universe, such as Jitters Coffee, from Superman's home city of Metropolis really give the whole thing a feeling of authenticity."

He said it was wonderful to see how many local people were involved in the production.

News imageOut In Liverpool Fake graffiti and posters on the nearby walls of the court building create part of the film setOut In Liverpool
Fake graffiti appeared in Derby Square as the area became Gotham City for the day
News imageConor McReynolds A man is running down the steps of a grey stone building. Past three people. A film crew member in the background is stood in the background.Conor McReynolds
The Aloft Hotel on North John Street was also used

It is not the first time the city has been used as a filming location for blockbuster movies.

It has previously been transformed into Gotham for the film The Batman.

It was also the backdrop for Harry Potter's dramatic chase scene in The Deathly Hallows Part One which was filmed in the city's Queensway Tunnel and also Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, when the city doubled up as New York.

News imageConor McReynolds A blue flag is flying from a pole on the side of a building in Liverpool. In white writing around a red and yellow crest it says City of Gotham, Sic Parvis Magna.Conor McReynolds
The City of Gotham flag was seen flying on the Aloft Hotel building
News imageConor McReynolds An actor on set dressed in a City of Gotham Police uniformConor McReynolds
Filming took place in a number of streets in the city on Sunday

Clayface is due to be released in September next year.

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