In August 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery dropped the bomb that they’re no longer releasing the whole HBO Max and theater plan for Batgirl — an unreleased American superhero film based on the DC character Barbara Gordon / Batgirl.
The movie, starring Leslie Grace as the leading role, was all set to bring the Bat Family member to the big screen — but WBD blew up the internet when they canceled the movie.
With this, Leslie Grace’s Barbara Gordon wouldn’t hit screens worldwide, and guess what? Michael Keaton wouldn’t be able to make a comeback, either. Fans have never imagined that it was coming for Batgirl.
The Batgirl Directors Expressed That The Movie Was the Biggest Letdown of Their Careers
Warner Bros. broke their silence on the Batgirl mess in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. WB gave its first statement about its controversial move of canceling the anticipated flick, which was almost good to go.
According to the studio, they had a reason for axing the movie. It’s because they’re making some big strategy moves, and it had nothing to do with Leslie Grace’s performance:
“The decision to not release Batgirl reflects our leadership’s strategic shift as it relates to the DC universe and HBO Max… Leslie Grace is an incredibly talented actor, and this decision is not a reflection of her performance. We are incredibly grateful to the filmmakers of Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt and their respective casts, and we hope to collaborate with everyone again in the near future.”
Recently, the filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, discussed in an interview with Insider on Monday how Batgirl was the biggest letdown of their career. Adil El Arbi said:
“It’s the biggest disappointment of our careers.”
The co-director added:
“It still a feeling of unfinished business.”
Just when the Batgirl drama was over, the filmmakers continued the saga by making the statements.
The Batgirl Filmmakers Shared their Experience of Working with Michael Keaton
Even though the film was a tag of disappointment in the filmmakers’ career, there’s one thing they’ll forever cherish about the movie — working with Michael Keaton.
The director-duo could not stop gushing over working with Michael Keaton’s Batman in the interview with Insider. The Belgium Native Bilall Fallah said:
“I felt like a kid on set working with Keaton. I totally forgot that I was directing.”
Adil El Arbi also went on to say:
“As a fanboy, just to be in the presence of Keaton as Batman, that’s just a privilege and an honor. But it’s a bittersweet feeling.”
Though Keaton didn’t comment on how he felt. According to Variety, the American Assassin star, who had his first Emmy win for his role in Dopesick, reacted to the cancellation of Batgirl in a backstage chat at the Emmy Awards. The actor said:
“I think it was a business decision. I’m going to assume it was a good one. I really don’t know.”
No doubt, Keaton’s iconic Batman character didn’t get the spotlight it deserved, even after his hyped return in The Flash. WB had big plans for him in other DCEU projects like Batgirl and Aquaman 2, but they were also scrapped.
Source: Insider
