DC's 'Batgirl' Will Neither Be Releasing In Theatres Nor On HBO Max: WB Discovery Confirms

Imagine having to film an entire movie that the audience never gets to see. The horrifying home-video treatment that Warner Brothers Discovery is giving Batgirl, has angered fans and set many careers dangling. The studio recently confirmed that the Batgirl film will not be released in theatres or on the streaming service HBO Max, ComicBook.com confirms. 

“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,” stated Warner Bros. Picture spokesperson.

Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Ms. Marvel) were both unsure of what the status of the film is. “We don't know when Batgirl is coming out,” El Arbi previously revealed in a recent interview with Insider. “No one told us nothing about tweaks, just to carry on.” The film was initially supposed to be an HBO Max original but was later slated for theatrical distribution. However, amid shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, the budget for the film grew to $90 million, The Wrap reported. Management at Warner Bros. was unimpressed by the film even after reshoots, citing that they want the films to be big cinematic events and Batgirl doesn’t do that. Although, they are excited to collaborate with the lead actor Leslie Grace (In the Heights) and the director duo soon.

Batgirl was directed by Fallah and El Arbi, with a script written by Christina Hodson. The film would have starred Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon / Batgirl with JK Simmons reprising his role as Commissioner James Gordon, and Michael Keaton reprising his role as Bruce Wayne / Batman. Also joining the cast was Brendan Fraser as Firefly, Ivory Aquino as Alysia Yeoh, Jacob Scipio, Rebecca Front, Corey Johnson, and Ethan Kai cast in currently-unknown roles.

In an interview, Grace mentioned how excited and honored she is to play Batgirl. “She definitely exceeds what I thought. I had to summon up some things in me that I didn't even know were there. It was an incredible learning experience to be on set with also action veterans like Brendan Fraser, and soak up it all up,” she said. Additionally, she also teased how explosive the film is going to be. “There's crazy fire. There's crazy stunts, crazy drops. She's a biker chick, so you're going to see her do a bunch of badassery,” Grace added. 

Unfortunately, fans are not going to see any of this and while many are rallying for the release, it is highly unlikely that Warner Bros. Discovery will change their mind.