Batgirl won't see the light of day after Warner Bros. cancels release
Studio's decision is unparalleled as film won't be released on a streamer or in theatres
Warner Bros. has axed the $90-million US Batgirl film planned for HBO Max, according to a person connected with the film who was not authorized to speak publicly about it.
The decision was highly unusual for such a high-priced and nearly finished movie. But the studio ultimately decided Batgirl didn't merit either a streaming debut or a theatrical release, and has instead opted to entirely write off the film starring In the Heights star Leslie Grace as Batgirl and co-starring Michael Keaton (returning as Batman), J.K. Simmons and Brendan Fraser. It was directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. Production wrapped in April.
Warner Bros.'s decision, one without any obvious parallel in Hollywood history, sent shockwaves through the industry. When a big-budget movie doesn't meet a studio's expectations, it's typically sold off or dumped quietly with little fanfare. Batgirl, greenlit before WarnerMedia's merger with Discovery Inc., will instead simply not see the light of day after reportedly poor test screenings.
"We are saddened and shocked by the news. We still can't believe it," El Arbi and Fallah said in a statement Wednesday.
"As directors, it is critical that our work be shown to audiences, and while the film was far from finished, we wish that fans all over the world would have had the opportunity to see and embrace the final film themselves. Maybe one day they will insha'Allah [if God wills]."
The directors signed their statement, posted on Instagram, "Batgirl For Life."
Late Wednesday, Grace posted on Instagram that she was proud of the work that went into the movie.
"I feel blessed to have worked among absolute greats and forged relationships for a lifetime in the process!" wrote Grace. "To every Batgirl fan — THANK YOU for the love and belief, allowing me to take on the cape."
Under new Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive David Zaslav, Warner Bros. is shifting its strategy on film releases and trimming costs. Under previous chief executive Jason Kilar and partly as a pandemic response, the studio implemented day-and-date releases in 2021, opening films simultaneously in theatres and on HBO Max. Other films, such as Batgirl, were produced solely for HBO Max.
This year, Warner Bros. has returned to exclusive theatrical windows for at least 45 days before sending movies to HBO Max. While Batgirl isn't as pricey as many superhero films, which typically cost $150-200 million US to make, it's a bigger budget movie for an HBO Max title.
Zaslav has maintained larger budgeted movies are best served by a theatrical rollout. But marketing a movie like Batgirl for that kind of release would require tens of millions more. Warner Bros. Discovery is set to report second-quarter earnings Thursday.
Representatives for Warner Bros. and Warner Bros. Discovery declined to comment. The Batgirl plans were first reported by the New York Post.
Scooby Doo movie also shelved by Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. also shelved Scoob!: Holiday Haunt, an almost-completed sequel to 2020's Scoob! Producer and writer Tony Cervone confirmed in an Instagram post Tuesday that the Scoob! film was canned.
"Yes I am afraid this is true," wrote Cervone. "The movie is practically finished and turned out beautifully. I am beyond heartbroken."
The Batgirl cancellation comes as Warner Bros. is trying to revamp its DC Films operations. While The Batman earlier this year performed well with $770.8 million US in ticket sales, Warner's DC releases have been erratic and plagued by controversy. The Flash, scheduled for release next June, stars Ezra Miller, who has been arrested twice this year in Hawaii, in a disorderly conduct case and on suspicion of assault.
Warner Bros. is hoping to reorganize and reset its DC pipeline — going bigger, not smaller with its rival Marvel. Ultimately, Batgirl didn't suit those plans.