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Report: Batgirl movie shelved at Warner Bros. Discovery, with no plans for release

The $90 million Batgirl feature, directed by Ms. Marvel's Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, was in post-production when the reported decision was made

Leslie Grace as Batgirl — Image credit: Warner Bros. Discovery

News by Graeme McMillan, Editor

Published on Tue Aug 02 2022

In a surprise development, Warner Bros. Discovery has effectively shelved the $90 million Batgirl movie project, with the studio reportedly having no plans for release either theatrically or digitally..

Starring In The Heights’ Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon, the project – initially greenlit under Warner Bros’ previous owner AT&T as a mid-budget HBO Max feature before being considered as a theatrical release – was reportedly deemed to be a failure by the new executive team installed in the aftermath of April’s merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery, despite reshoots aimed at fixing what were identified as problems with the movie.

According to insiders, one of the core problems with the movie was simply its sense of scale; the current regime at Warner Bros. Discovery are looking to make movies based on DC’s superhero properties into big events, which Batgirl was intentionally created to be an alternative to.

Beyond simply the chance for Barbara Gordon to get her chance to shine on the big screen, the Batgirl movie was notable for two connections to other high-profile superhero projects. Not only was the movie to feature Michael Keaton as Batman, a role he held from 1989’s Batman through 1992’s Batman Returns – and one that he’s set to return to in the upcoming Flashpoint movie starring Ezra Miller – but it was directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the directing team behind the first two episodes of Disney+’s critically acclaimed Ms. Marvel series.

The movie was in post-production, with test screenings underway, when the decision was made. Warner Bros. Discovery has yet to comment officially on the final fate of the project.

The news comes ahead of Warner Bros. Discovery's Q2 earnings call, which is currently scheduled for August 4. It's expected that, during that call, executives will reveal plans to cut costs at the company, with some anticipating potential layoffs or projects being put on hold, if not outright canceled.

News of Batgirl's demise was first reported by the New York Post, before being confirmed by both The Wrap and Variety.

Batgirl may have been taken off the schedule, but here's how to watch all the DC movies (so far) in order.

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Graeme McMillan: Popverse Editor Graeme McMillan (he/him) has been writing about comics, culture, and comics culture on the internet for close to two decades at this point, which is terrifying to admit. He completely understands if you have problems understanding his accent.