Films fans have been given the first chance to get a glimpse of the new Batmobile, as filming on the latest Batman movie has begun.

The vehicle has been filmed in chases with police cars on the streets of Chicago, which is doubling up as Gotham City.

Batman Begins takes the story of the Caped Crusader back to his younger days, pitting him against his nemesis Ra's Al Ghul and Dr Jonathan Crane, aka The Scarecrow.

American Psycho star Christian Bale will play Batman, with Michael Caine as his butler Alfred.

Ken Watanabe will play Ra's Al Ghul, with Cillian Murphy as The Scarecrow.

Batman Begins, which is due for release in July 2005, also features Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Katie Holmes.

Source: Press Release