Earlier this week, Warner Bros. Discovery made a drastic decision: axing a nearly completed “Batgirl” movie, shocking many fans and non-fans alike with the news that a $90 million-budgeted superhero pic would never see the light of day. Yep, you won’t see it on streaming or theatrically, ever, unless it somehow leaks, which is unprecedented. The decision really erupted on the internet, shocking and puzzling many people, including the “Batgirl” directors themselves, who were blindsided by it all.
Co-directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah now focusing on the positive. Arbi, in particular, has been the voice of the messaging. Today, he shared on Instagram stories an email that the directing duo received from Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige (see below), who had previously hired them to help direct episodes of their acclaimed superhero series, “Ms. Marvel.” The series was another project that had a diverse cast and helped give the MCU the first Muslim leading hero.
“My friends, I had to reach out and let you know we are all thinking about you both. Because of the wonderful news about the wedding (congrats!) and the disappointing news about ‘Batgirl.’ Very proud of you guys for all the amazing work you do and particularly ‘Ms. Marvel,’ of course! Can’t wait to see what is next for you. Hope to see you soon,” Feige wrote in an email to the directors.
The director also thanked fellow filmmakers James Gunn and Edgar Wright for their kind words too, seemingly shared privately with them, the filmmakers, also having experienced similar bouts of bad studio exec news (Wright parted ways with Marvel over “Ant-Man,” Disney fired James Gunn from ‘Guardians’ at one point). “Thanks for all the messages of support all over the world. Shoutout directors Edgar Wright and James Gunn. Your kind words and experience mean a lot and help us through this difficult period.”
“Batgirl” star Leslie Grace shared similar sentiments with fans yesterday as well, thanking them for their support.
We’re still waiting to hear if Sasha Calle’s new Supergirl incarnation will survive the newly announced “reset” of the DCEU, as announced by Warner Bros. Discovery during their earnings call on Thursday. WBD CEO David Zaslav has signaled they may pivot towards the traditional version of Superman in the very near future, and there is a new report that says the solo ‘Supergirl; film in development has been scrapped too. How both Supergirl and Batgirl factor into this new era of the DCEU, if at all, isn’t exactly clear.
Adil El Arbi also shared a behind-the-scenes image of himself, Grace, and Michael Keaton back in the Batman role that you can see below.
