‘Batgirl’ Movie Axed Despite $90M Price Tag

Warner Bros. Discovery won’t be releasing Batgirl in theaters or on its streaming platform, HBO Max. The DC live-action flick options Leslie Grace within the lead function because the superhero/Barbara Gordon, and included appearances from Michael Keaton as Batman and J.Ok. Simmons as Commissioner James Gordon. 

Based on stories from The Hollywood Reporter, manufacturing prices exceeded the unique price range of roughly $80 million as a result of COVID-related measures, sending the value tag to just about $90 million. The movie, directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, reportedly completed capturing and was anticipated to debut on HBO Max this yr. Batgirl has been within the works since 2017, with Grace’s casting introduced in 2021. Per THR, Warner Bros.’ choice to cancel the film is a results of the studio wanting to take a position massive {dollars} in DC blockbusters versus streaming releases. Beneath David Zaslav’s new management as CEO, the corporate is concentrated on streamlining and cutbacks throughout the board following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery.   

The transfer has some DC followers questioning concerning the standing of one other upcoming DCEU adaptation: The Flash. Ezra Miller stars because the titular character, through the previous few months, the actor’s confronted allegations of assault and kidnapping and has been arrested twice. The movie has a deliberate theatrical launch for 2023, however it’s unclear whether or not controversy surrounding Miller will have an effect on WarnerMedia’s choice to maneuver ahead.

Nevertheless, Batgirl was not the one HBO Max on the chopping block, because the studio additionally determined to chop Scoob!: Vacation Hang-out, the sequel to Scoob! Although Batgirl is out of the working, DC’s future movie releases embrace Aquaman 2, Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods.