An Easter egg spotted in Batgirl set photos may be setting up a major villain for the DCEU’s Batman family. Following what will likely be a major continuity shakeup in 2022’s The Flash, Batgirl will take place in a new era of the DCEU franchise, with a new Batman, possibly a living Dick Grayson, and perhaps a famous villain organization from the post-Flashpoint DC Comics universe. These villains, The Court of Owls, may have a significant presence in Batgirl or a future Batman-related film.
Starring Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon, Batgirl has been filming in Glasgow, leading to some fascinating tidbits regarding the state of the DCEU following The Flash. Lex Luthor’s bombing of the Capitol Building in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is preserved, with the billionaire either still in Arkham or having returned to the facility. A mural depicts both Keaton’s Batman and what appears to be Dick Grayson’s Robin (implying that perhaps he wasn’t killed by The Joker in this altered timeline).
Another magazine cover directly addresses The Court of Owls, with the publication teasing an expose on the secret society of criminals. The cover also reveals that a former circus acrobat, most likely Dick Grayson, claims that The Court of Owls tried to recruit him. With The Court of Owls being confirmed in Batgirl, the villainous cabal may play a role in the film or be set up for a sequel. The court’s existence in the DCEU provides exciting opportunities for future Batgirl and her Bat-Family allies.
Following DC Comics’ 2011 Flashpoint storyline, the DC universe was rebooted, and Batman’s first story arcs in his New 52 lineup introduced The Court of Owls. The group consists of some of Gotham City’s wealthiest and most influential denizens who have secretly controlled the city since its beginnings. Their assassins, known as Talons, are deadly enough to challenge Batman and are kept in suspended animation between missions. In the post-Flashpoint DC universe, Dick Grayson nearly became a Talon, but his parents’ murder prevented this.
Batgirl’s Court of Owls Easter egg not only confirms their existence in the rebooted DCEU, but it also strongly implies Dick Grayson’s near-recruitment into their ranks as a Talon. Dick Grayson is a major supporting character of Batgirl as well as Batman, so his potential involvement in Batgirl could be used as a connection to the villainous group. While Firefly is confirmed as Batgirl’s antagonist, he might not be the only one.
Firefly could be working alongside The Court of Owls in Batgirl, allying himself with the influential secret society for whatever his scheme is. Another possibility is that he’s being manipulated by the court from behind the scenes, with the cabal not using a Talon for the sake of discretion. Whether they have a major role in Batgirl or are being set up for a later DCEU appearance, The Court of Owls is a significant threat from the comics, and their Easter egg teases exciting conflicts for the Batman family.
