Sorry Barbara Gordon, your time to shine on the silver screen is apparently over before it started.
That’s according to The New York Post, which reported Tuesday the Batgirl film by Warner Bros. Discovery is dead in the water. The film will reportedly not release either in theaters or streaming via HBO Max. The Post reported the film’s budget was between $70 million and “more than a million.” The Wrap reported the budget was $90 million.
Leslie Grace was cast in the role as Gordon in Batgirl, with Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Brendan Fraser as the villain Firefly. The film was directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, known for directing Bad Boys for Life and the first two episodes of Ms. Marvel together.
Batgirl was reportedly shown during test screens in anticipation of a release later this year. The Post reports the film “would rank among the most expensive cinematic castoffs ever,” and notes the “unusual” absence of the film from the DC panel at San Diego Comic Con last month.
The film was first developed for HBO Max due to COVID issues and shutdowns before it was planned to head to theaters. The Wrap reports the film was scrapped after “leaders of the studio determined ultimately, in spite of reshoots and increased budget, that the movie simply did not work.” CEO David Zaslav and the studio’s new management reportedly felt Batgirl did not live up a commitment to ” making DC titles big theatrical event films.”
Scoob!: Holiday Haunt by Warner Bros. Discovery has reportedly also been shelved. The animated feature had a budget of $40 million.
Barbara Gordon is still set to join the Gotham Knights upcoming game release. There is also an unrelated Gotham Knights CW show under development and it appears that Batgirl alterego Stephanie Brown, set to be played by Anna Lore, will take up the mantle.
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