'Batgirl' Movie Canceled By Studio During Post-Production
The film will not be released in theaters or on HBO Max.
The DC Comics-inspired film Batgirl will not be hitting the big screen, new reports reveal.
The feature film—which was already in post-production—has been officially killed by Warner Bros. and will not premiere in theaters or on HBO Max, Variety reports.
According to the publication, the film was originally budgeted to stream on HBO Max over a theatrical release, but the new corporate regime following the Warner Bros. merger with Discovery has put theatrical releases at the top of the priority list, leaving Batgirl hanging in the balance.
Insiders at the studio insist the decision to completely shelve the production was not a result of the film's quality, as the New York Post first reported.
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“They think an unspeakable ‘Batgirl’ is going to be irredeemable," a Hollywood source told The Post after the film allegedly bombed with test audiences.
The film's budget—which was initially set at $75 million—reportedly climbed up to $90 million, partially as a result of COVID-related delays. That makes it one of the most expensive movie projects to ever be tossed out, according to The Post.
Batgirl—which fans won't see—stars In the Heights' Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl), along with J.K. Simmons as Barbara's father, Commissioner Jim Gordon, and Brendan Fraser as the villain, Firefly. Michael Keaton also reprised his role as Batman.
A Warner Bros. spokesperson has since released a statement on the matter, writing,"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," per NPR.
Grace then took to Instagram herself to address the film's cancellation, telling her followers, "I am proud of the love, hard work and intention all of our incredible cast and tireless crew put into this film over 7 months in Scotland."
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"I feel blessed to have worked among absolute greats and forged relationships for a lifetime in the process," she continued in her post on Wednesday. "To every Batgirl fan - THANK YOU for the love and belief, allowing me to take on the cape and become, as Babs said best, 'my own damn hero!'"
She concluded her message with the hashtag "#Batgirl for life!" along with a very appropriate bat emoji.
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