When Warner Bros. started canceling various projects after the Discovery merger, we saw the studio end several DC Comics films/shows in the development phase. But none shocked everyone like the controversial decision to kill the nearly completely “Batgirl” film from directing duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, starring Leslie Grace as the DCEU’s version of Barbara Gordon. The film would have featured J.K. Simmon‘s Jim Gordon reprising his minor “Justice League” role and Michael Keaton back as Bruce Wayne. Ultimately, the decision to nix the film became a case of the company trying to save money (they’re in massive debt), save face (the project was said to be not theatrically worthy) and using the entire affair as an expensive tax write-off.
Meanwhile, during a chat with Variety, the Russo Brothers chimed in seemingly to defend fellow MCU directors and future filmmakers that may have to face similar circumstances as studios continue to change hands and make about-face decisions on previous strategies. Using hyperbolic language, Joe Russo described the studio bean-counters as “sociopaths” and called the cancellation of “Batgirl,” a “murder.”
“It’s rare that I can think of something that high profile, that expensive, that was murdered in such a way,” Joe Russo told Variety of his impression of the situation of “Batgirl” getting scrapped for economic reasons. “It’s sad, but we’re at a time in the business where corporate sociopathy is going to rear its head because people are scared.”
Hyperbolic, sure, but also, potentially very real given the way some things are headed in this capitalistic industry.
The directing duo is arguably the most successful creatives behind the superhero genre and hearing their support for fellow filmmakers is certainly heartening. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah aren’t expected to take a professional hit as both Marvel’s Kevin Feige and DC Studios‘ newly minted CEO James Gunn have shared their own supportive messages as well.
It’s still unclear if the new DC Studios could reverse the decision and bring back Grace’s Batgirl, don’t bet on it. Imagine asking everyone involved to suddenly participate in the film again, participate in reshoots, etc. New contracts and pride could make that near impossible and while it’s perhaps maybe a remote possibility, after all that and you were Leslie Grace, would you still want to be Batgirl? Not for nothing less than the price of a very wounded ego, no? It seems unlikely.