Batgirl - DC Comics News https://dccomicsnews.com/category/feature-films/batgirl-feature-films/ DC Comics News: Welcome to the #1 source for DC Comics! Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:58:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.6 https://dcn-wp.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/14095523/DC-Comics-logo.png Batgirl - DC Comics News https://dccomicsnews.com/category/feature-films/batgirl-feature-films/ 32 32 “Batgirl” Leslie Grace and Brendan Fraser Weigh in On Film Cancellation https://dccomicsnews.com/2023/02/21/batgirl-leslie-grace-and-brendan-fraser-weigh-in-on-film-cancellation/ https://dccomicsnews.com/2023/02/21/batgirl-leslie-grace-and-brendan-fraser-weigh-in-on-film-cancellation/#respond Tue, 21 Feb 2023 03:11:04 +0000 https://dccomicsnews.com/?p=173727 Batgirl lead actress Leslie Grace stands by the quality of her film in spite of the studio’s…

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Batgirl lead actress Leslie Grace stands by the quality of her film in spite of the studio’s cancellation, and she is not alone.

Several months after principal photography had completed in Scotland, Grace had received a gift from costar Brendan Fraser, who was to debut as Firefly in the film.  It was a necklace with a pair of dice. “The card said a lot of really sweet things, but he basically said, ‘I give you this necklace because in this business you gotta have a little luck. So ring your bell and never [stop.’ It] was just like ‘whoa. And after all this, it has so much meaning.”

After the merger of WarnersMedia and Discovery, CEO David Szaslav immediately went through the current upcoming DC releases and made extensive cancellations to bring the studio out of debt. Sadly, Batgirl was the first to fall the guillotine in August after much of the film had been shot and after test screenings failed to impress the executives. At the time of cancellation, $90 million had been spent on production, and millions more were required. Other existing projects cancelled include TitansPennyworthDoom Patrol, and a third Wonder Woman film with Patty Jenkins.

Grace, 28, is the first Dominican actress to be cast as Barbara Gordon, and the film had additional star power thrown in with the casting of J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon and Michael Keaton as Batman. This was to be Keaton’s second modern-day appearance as his iconic 1989 version after Andy Muschietti’s The Flash. Fraser’s as Garfield Lyns, aka, Firefly, a pyromaniac criminal.

Batgirl Stars Speak Out On Film, Highlighting Optimism and Gratitude

Fraser, whose star power has risen in light of his highly-acclaimed film The Whale, went on record to describe his reaction to news of cancellation. “I thought I was getting punked, but it checked [out. Then] came hysterical laughter like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me?’ I know that the filmmakers and producers were expecting to hear from the studio about the film, and the anticipation was, ‘How do we broaden the movie out to take it from a streaming format to a theatrical release?’ But as we all know, it was the complete opposite. When we were expecting XYZ amount of support and money to expand scenes — to do pickup shots and those kinds of things — that was a gut punch. But then we learned that it was in the interest of writing down some debt? That part really stung.” He had also starred as Robotman on Doom Patrol and currently stars alongside Smallville alum Tom Welling on The CW’s The Professionals.

Fraser is nothing short of complimentary of Grace’s performance as Batgirl and how much it would have meant to the younger demographics that would have seen the finished product. “What I find most lamentable is that now a whole generation of little girls are going to have to wait longer to see a Batgirl and say, ‘Hey, she looks like [me.’ That] makes me sad. I know how good she was. And I know what this would mean to so many people. [Leslie] has a work ethic that is unrivaled. She’s dynamite — and dynamite comes in small packages but still goes bang. We do battle each other several times. There was a lot of kicking and punching and getting hurt but we were always help each other to our feet after breaking set pieces and knocking the tar out of each other.”

Grace, herself, meanwhile, expresses gratitude for the opportunity in spite of her disappointment that the project had been shelved. ” I tend to be a very optimistic and positive person in these types of circumstances, and I just really leaned on the beauty of the idea that I got to have this experience in my life. Even though I would’ve loved to share that with the rest of the world, nothing can take that experience away from us.”

As to the studio’s verdict after the test screening, Leslie explained how very vague her meetings with Warner execs had been on their decision. However, she contradicts their point of view based on the version she had seen. “I got to see the film as far as it got to; the film wasn’t complete by the time that it was tested. There were a bunch of scenes that weren’t even in there. They were at the beginning of the editing process, and they were cut off because of everything going on at the company. But the film that I got to see — the scenes that were there — was incredible. There was definitely potential for a good film, in my opinion. Maybe we’ll get to see clips of it later on.”

Although she and crew are still optimistic about the film being completed and a sequel, recently-appointed DC Studio co-chairmen James Gunn and Peter Safran have not reached out to her at this time. Regardless, there have been previous discussions as to where her version of Batgirl could fit in.

More, hopefully, as it develops.

Official source – Batgirl’s Leslie Grace Rejects DC’s Claim Film Was ‘Unreleasable’ – Variety

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Brendan Fraser Gives Thoughts On Scrapped Batgirl Movie https://dccomicsnews.com/2023/02/08/brendan-fraser-gives-thoughts-on-scrapped-batgirl-movie/ https://dccomicsnews.com/2023/02/08/brendan-fraser-gives-thoughts-on-scrapped-batgirl-movie/#respond Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:44:09 +0000 https://dccomicsnews.com/?p=173297 Fans were excited when it was announced that Brendan Fraser (The Whale, Doom Patrol) would be portraying…

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Fans were excited when it was announced that Brendan Fraser (The Whale, Doom Patrol) would be portraying the villainous Firefly in Batgirl, and were equally disappointed when they found out the entire movie would be shelved. Ever since the dreaded announcement, cast and crew have come out to talk about their time on the film, why they think it should have been released, and some have shared behind-the-scene info and even some footage from the ill-fated film. And Brendan Fraser is finally giving some of his thoughts.

During a recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Fraser shared some details about playing the character of Firefly in Batgirl:

“Yeah, it was great. Adil [El Arbi] and Bilall [Fallah], who did the Bad Boys movie, are really good at blowing s**t up and they love doing it. You know, like practical fire effects making stuff go bang, they’re all over it, and so firefly is right in their wheelhouse,” Fraser revealed. “Gotham never looked better cast as Glasgow, Scotland. You know it’s decaying and just gorgeous. It looks like it’s Gotham City. It’s perfectly cast. You believe it no matter where you look at the town, if you light it the right way. It was a story about a guy who had been in the service and his benefits were cut and he was very angry with the system and what else is he gonna do but burn it to the ground. That’s all you need to know. That’s a supervillain right there. You’ve got some sympathy for him. You’ve also got some humanity to him and on top of that a screw loose cause you know he’s the bad guy, but is he really like all the best bad guys, you kinda like them a little bit. That was this role. On paper very very good. I relished this part.”

Fraser spoke more about the film, and his disappointment when it was canceled:

“They all say really good things about it,” he explained. “But the thing about it was it was screened in a garden-variety test screening. It was a director’s cut, a first cut, it wasn’t finished. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I don’t eat half-baked cake. I don’t want to see something that’s not ready yet. The sad thing is that I don’t know if it was judged on merit. It wasn’t shown in the best light that it could have been. I mean, yes, once you give a film to the people and the world, it’s open season to criticize or praise it or whatever you want. But this didn’t even really get a fair shake.”

He went on to say that he’s sad the world won’t get to see Leslie Grace’s performance in the lead role. “Little girls are gonna have to wait longer now before they can see a Batgirl who they can identify that says ‘hey she looks just like me too’ in Leslie Grace and she was wonderful,” he added. “Oh gosh, she was good, really terrific. She’s a firecracker. Like dynamite comes in small packages for a reason. She’s a dynamo.”

BatgirlOriginally announced back in 2017, with Joss Whedon attached to direct, the Batgirl film has had a tumultuous history. After the failure of 2017’s Justice League, Whedon wound up leaving the project, originally saying he didn’t have any ideas for a good story, but later saying that wasn’t actually the case and that he “had an idea, it just didn’t fit in the space that was left for it.” Then in 2018, a relatively new writer by the name of Christina Hodson was brought on to the film. She went on to write the Transformers movie Bumblebee, as well as DC’s Birds of Prey in 2020 and the upcoming The Flash movie.

Then in May of 2021, Bad Boys For Life directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah were tapped to helm the film, and cast Leslie Grace as the titular hero and Brendan Fraser as the villain Firefly. Their film was meant to tie into the aftermath of The Flash, with the return of J.K. Simmons’ Commissioner Gordon, as well as Michael Keaton’s Batman, who is set to reprise the role in the aforementioned The Flash movie.

But then, in August of 2022, after the Warner Bros./Discovery merger, it was announced that, even though the film was in post-production – as it had finished filming back in March – the studio no longer had any plans to release it, citing financial reasons and poor test screenings.

New co-CEO of DC Studios and long-time DC film producer Peter Safran even came out recently and said “There were a lot of incredibly talented people in front of and behind the camera on that film. But that film was not releasable. It happens sometimes. That film was not releasable.”

Now, we still don’t know if the reported rumors are true that the film was scrapped as a tax write-off and can now never be shown, but I for one hope that isn’t true, as I would love for this film, and those who worked so hard to make it, to get the chance to prove itself to the fans who had been waiting so long for it. If Zack Snyder’s Justice League can be allowed to be finished and released, so should Batgirl.


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DCN Podcast #164: James Gunn Reveals DC Studios’ Huge Slate Of Upcoming Movies & TV https://dccomicsnews.com/2023/02/08/dcn-podcast-164-james-gunn-reveals-dc-studios-huge-slate-of-upcoming-movies-tv/ https://dccomicsnews.com/2023/02/08/dcn-podcast-164-james-gunn-reveals-dc-studios-huge-slate-of-upcoming-movies-tv/#respond Wed, 08 Feb 2023 01:20:23 +0000 https://dccomicsnews.com/?p=173270 On the DC Comics News Podcast #164, the DCN crew take you on a journey through this…

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On the DC Comics News Podcast #164, the DCN crew take you on a journey through this week’s DC news, including the reveal of DC Studios’ upcoming slate, the cancellation of Pennyworth, and much more!

So sit back, and enjoy!

DCN Podcast #164

Steve J Ray: www.twitter.com/el_steevo

Brad Filicky: www.twitter.com/filickyb1

Seth Singleton: www.twitter.com/1MoreSingleton

Damian Fasciani: www.twitter.com/Damian_Fasciani

Kelly Gaines: www.twitter.com/KelGainesWrite

Kendra Hale: www.twitter.com/DevourAllWords

Editor-in-Chief – Josh Raynor: www.twitter.com/MovieBlogMerc

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The DCN Podcast Is Back! Join Us For Our Year-In-Review 2022!! https://dccomicsnews.com/2023/01/15/dcn-podcast-is-back-join-us-for-our-year-in-review-2022/ https://dccomicsnews.com/2023/01/15/dcn-podcast-is-back-join-us-for-our-year-in-review-2022/#respond Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:17:00 +0000 https://dccomicsnews.com/?p=172909 After a long 7-month hiatus, the DC Comics News Podcast is finally back, and the crew has…

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After a long 7-month hiatus, the DC Comics News Podcast is finally back, and the crew has gotten together to talk about some of the big stories they weren’t able to cover from 2022. So, please join Steve J. Ray, Kelly Gaines, Brad Filicky, and the owner of DCN, Damian Fasciani, as they give you their Year-In-Review for 2022!

And be sure to check the show out on YouTube!!

2022 – The Year-In-Review

Brad Filicky: www.twitter.com/filickyb1

Kelly Gaines: www.twitter.com/KelGainesWrite

Steve J Ray: www.twitter.com/el_steevo

Damian Fasciani: www.twitter.com/Damian_Fasciani

Seth Singleton: www.twitter.com/1MoreSingleton

Kendra Hale: www.twitter.com/DevourAllWords

Editor-in-Chief – Josh Raynor: www.twitter.com/MovieBlogMerc

Be sure to also subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play, and if you like what you hear, please give us a 5-star rating and review!

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James Gunn to DC Movie Fans: Superman is DC Studios’ “Biggest Priority” https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/12/13/james-gunn-to-dc-movie-fans-superman-is-dc-studios-biggest-priority/ https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/12/13/james-gunn-to-dc-movie-fans-superman-is-dc-studios-biggest-priority/#respond Tue, 13 Dec 2022 02:50:24 +0000 https://dccomicsnews.com/?p=172517 James Gunn, the new head of DC Studios, has Tweeted an important message to fans of The…

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James Gunn, the new head of DC Studios, has Tweeted an important message to fans of The Man of Steel.

To commemorate the 44th anniversary of the iconic 1977 Superman: The Movie on Twitter, James also had this to say to a fan inquiring about Superman’s future in cinema:

Yes, of course. Superman is a huge priority, possibly the biggest priority.

James Gunn and Peter Safran as DC Studio Chiefs: What Do We Know?

Henry Cavill, who made his debut as Superman in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013) and who last donned the cape in 2016’s Justice League, made his return in a cameo in October’s Black Adam. In fact, Dwayne Johnson had been the reason Cavill returned to the role. As to whether Gunn will take advantage of this new heat, however, remains to be seen.

Currently, there is no deal between Cavill and Warner Discovery for him to return in a new film. Further, there’s no treatment or director attached. The same question could also be raised about the popularity of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a culmination of a fan-led movement to see Zack’s cut of the film that Joss Whedon drastically reshot. Gunn could very well pick up that baton and run with it, but so far there’s been no indication that he will.

In recent interviews, Gunn has revealed that he has a plan going forward with the DC universe, alongside co-chief Peter Safran. Rumor has it that they have also approached the crew of the recently-cancelled Batgirl film.

Albeit sketchily, he has assured fans that everything will be connected. However, one upheaval has been the rumored cancellation of Wonder Woman 3 after the underperforming WW84. Although Gal Gadot is still attached to the title role, director Patty Jenkins has abandoned the project over creative differences.

Before Gunn was appointed by CEO David Zaslav, numerous DC projects had been cancelled as the new head of the studio was trying to declutter his company of underperforming properties. Gunn takes the reins of the maligned DCEU after having completed Guardians of The Galaxy Holiday Special and the upcoming Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3 for Marvel Studios. Whatever plans he and Peter have for both Superman the rest of the DC library, the agenda is being held very close to their chests until further notice… if they have an agenda at all at this point in time, that is.

To date, the only incoming DC films slated for release are The FlashSHAZAM!: Fury of The Gods, and Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, all three the only remaining films sharing the continuity Snyder had established in Man of Steel.

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Director Soto: “Warner Bros. Has Our Backs.” https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/10/06/director-soto-warner-bros-has-our-backs/ https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/10/06/director-soto-warner-bros-has-our-backs/#respond Thu, 06 Oct 2022 04:00:48 +0000 https://dccomicsnews.com/?p=171854 Director Angel Manuel Soto claims Warner Bros. believes in Blue Beetle whole-heartedly. In light of the sweeping changes…

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Director Angel Manuel Soto claims Warner Bros. believes in Blue Beetle whole-heartedly.

In light of the sweeping changes DC projects have faced – the cancellation of the Batgirl and Wonder Twins films chief among them – by Warner-Discovery since the merger, this is welcome news for Beetle fans. Contradictory to the callous hack-and-slash of DC films as of late, CEO David Zazslav’s attitude seems healthy towards Blue Beetle.

Although admitting to initial trepidation, Soto added, “[Executives] told me not to worry, the film has their full [support.” Soto’s previous director credits include The Farm and Charm City Kings, as well as documentaries Menudo: Forever Young and Bashir’s Dream. This would be Solo’s first superhero film. He is also attached to an unknown Transformers project.

Director’s Fears Abated and Mariduena’s Passion For the Project – Who is Blue Beetle?

As to the film’s star, Cobra Kai actor Xolo Mariduena cannot help but express the exhilaration at the potential his role has for his career. “This is really gonna be a stepping stone in my [life. I’ve] gotten the chance to build chemistry with these people over the years on Cobra Kai. To try to recreate that chemistry in a much shorter amount of time is gonna be difficult, but all of these guys are professionals. I know that I’m in the hands of people who are the best at what they do. The opportunity at Cobra Kai has really blessed me; I can do stunts, we can do crazy stuff. Adding this new level of green screen and suits and CGI and all of this will add a whole new crazy level to it that I’m so excited for.” Mariduenas casting was also the result of a strong fancasting movement, and on-set photos of him in the practical Blue Beetle suit has set social media ablaze. The film also stars Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, Damien Alcazar, Adrianna Baraza, and Harvey Guillen.

Although there is little known about the plot of the film, it is confirmed that the hero’s debut falls on the shoulders of the third Beetle, teenage Jaime Reyes. Created by Keith Giffen, Cully Hamner and John Rogers, Reyes appeared in the early 2000’s in events surrounding the DC event Infinite Crisis. Unlike predecessors Dan Garrett and Ted Kord, the Egyptian scarab – in reality a technorganic extraterrestrial symbiotic life form – allowed Jaime to access its full range of abilities, along with a grown suit of armor and metamorphic weaponry. Eventually, the scarab was revealed to be a member of a conquering race known as The Reach, and rebelled against its own kind in favor of Jaime and Earth. Since his debut, Jaime has been in two separate animated series and a playable role in Injustice 2.

Blue Beetle is exepected to land in theaters August 13, 2023.

Official Source – Blue Beetle Director Says DC Film Has “Full Support” From Warner Bros. Discovery Despite Batgirl Concerns (comicbook.com)


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‘The Flash’: Warner Discovery Investigates Options On Film And Ezra Miller https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/08/15/the-flash-warner-discovery-investigates-options-on-film-and-ezra-miller/ https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/08/15/the-flash-warner-discovery-investigates-options-on-film-and-ezra-miller/#respond Mon, 15 Aug 2022 01:16:31 +0000 https://dccomicsnews.com/?p=171258 The Flash is quickly evolving to include a subtitle: How To Solve A Problem Like Ezra? Warner Discovery…

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The Flash is quickly evolving to include a subtitle: How To Solve A Problem Like Ezra?

Warner Discovery is focusing on the controversy surrounding the legal troubles of lead actor Ezra Miller. With this film, directed by Andy Muschietti, as the entry point for audiences into the DC Multiverse and the return of Michael Keaton as Batman, Ezra’s choices could not have come with worse timing.

To date, Miller, who identifies as non-binary, has had numerous run-ins with the law for the past few months. The most recent is a felony burglary charge a week ago, and the disappearance of a mother and her three children that had been allegedly staying with Miller. Previous charges include assault a harassments charges in March, a further assault charge in April, and two disorderly conduct charges in late June. Miller has also deleted all their social media accounts.

‘The Flash’ Can Go Forward… But What’s Needed From Ezra?

In light of these developments, the studio is debating one of three options on the table in order to salvage the release. The first is that Miller immediately seeks professional help, followed by a high-profile interview in which he takes responsibility for his actions. This may also save their future involvement in The Flash franchise as Barry Allen.

Muschietti’s film, based on the Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert miniseries “Flashpoint, will see Barry run back in time to prevent his mother’s murder, which inadvertently alters the timeline. Audiences would be treated to seeing, therefore, Ben Affleck’s Batman before trip, being replaced by Michael Keaton’s older Bruce Wayne afterwards. It would also see the debut of Sasha Calle as Supergirl, in place of Henry Cavill’s Superman.

If Miller refuses, the second option would be to proceed with the release of the film, but completely avoid the lead actor altogether, and recast the role if the film’s revenue garners a sequel. Recasting a lead role in spite of a successful movie is not unheard of, but avoiding the lead actor during necessary press time would be unique.

The worst case scenario option, however, applies to Miller’s situation continuing to deteriorate. The third option is indefinitely shelving the film, and the studio banks on an insurance payout to recover losses. Reshoots would be both expensive and next to impossible considering Miller plays multiple versions of Allen throughout the film.

To date, The Flash is one of the few remaining DC franchises that Warner CEO David Zazlav has not cancelled. Further, it is one of the remaining properties that shares the continuity established by Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel in 2013.

Releases of Shazam!: Fury of The Gods, Black Adam, and Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom are all going forward. However, there have been some recent axed projects. Since the merger of Warner Media and Discovery, the studio has cancelled production and release of Batgirl, starring Leslie Grace, J.K. Simmons, and Michael Keaton. This would have been Keaton’s second appearance as Batman after The Flash.

Other cancelled projects include the Calle-led Supergirl TV series, spinning off from the film, and – allegedly – the upcoming Green Lantern TV series on HBO Max.

In related news, it has been confirmed that Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman and Henry Cavill’s Superman factor in to a ten-year plan for DC movies, modelled after the successful run by Marvel Studios.

At time of writing, the film is still scheduled for release June 23, 2023.

Official Source – The Flash: Warner Bros. Reportedly Preparing for Multiple Scenarios Following Ezra Miller Legal Troubles – IGN


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Hope (?) For Henry Cavill’s Future as Superman in Warner’s 10-year DC Plan https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/08/15/hope-for-henry-cavills-future-as-superman-in-warners-10-year-dc-plan/ https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/08/15/hope-for-henry-cavills-future-as-superman-in-warners-10-year-dc-plan/#respond Mon, 15 Aug 2022 01:12:30 +0000 https://dccomicsnews.com/?p=171264 Hope may still exist for actor Henry Cavill’s involvement in future Superman films as reports indicate Warner…

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Hope may still exist for actor Henry Cavill’s involvement in future Superman films as reports indicate Warner Discovery are strongly leaning towards Cavill reprising the role of the Man of Steel.

The following excerpts are from an interview with insiders Umberto Gonzales from The Wrap:

The Multiverse has to stay, if they want to keep [Supergirl actress] Sasha Calle and bring back a new Superman or bring back Cavill or something, that’s going to have to be the reality of [it. Further, Warner Bros. Discovery] like [Cavill] as [Superman. I] could be wrong, I just don’t think they’ve had a take yet for him to come back. But again, that’s all subject to whoever the new DC guy is overseeing the universe and this committee and the one answering to [Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO] David Zaslav. It’s been almost ten years since we’ve seen him in Man of Steel. But what I can say, I personally, I don’t think it’s over just yet.

Since the merger, Zaslav has made sweeping changes to DC’s future with the studio. After the failure of 2017’s Justice League, blamed on the direction taken by replacement Joss Whedon at the helm, the DCEU has limped on with few successes such as Aquaman and Shazam!. The studio has since decided to focus on standalone projects instead, such as the surprise 2019 blockbuster Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, who earned an Academy Award for his performance.

Then-Warner Media repeated this success with a similar approach in Matt Reeves’ The Batman this past year. At the time, the idea was to treat every property as a separate dimension of the overarching DC Multiverse. Further, Andy Muschietti’s upcoming film, The Flash, was considered the springboard into that concept given the plot revolving around time travel. As to whether that approach is still in play remains to be seen.

However, Warner Discovery’s goal is a 10-year plan for the DCEU reminiscent of how Marvel Studios has managed the MCU. Although DCEU properties such as Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Shazam will proceed, the future of The Flash is precarious, given that lead actor Ezra Miller has serious legal troubles.

Standalone properties will go forward, such as the recently announced 2024 Joker: Folle a Deux with Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. HBO Max’s Peacemaker will receive a second season, but the upcoming Batgirl film starring Leslie Grace and Michael Keaton has been indefinitely scrapped because the studio felt there was not much of a connection with test audiences. However, it has been reported that Grace may still be attached to the role as the studio has other plans for Barbara Gordon.

As to how this all pertains to Henry Cavill, since Justice League, he’d been rumored numerous times to make cameo appearances in previous DC films that proved to be false. Prior to the merger, Warner Media had allegedly considered a separate Superman franchise starring Michael B. Jordan, as there’s a version of the character who is both African-American and the President of the United States. However, at no point was this confirmation that Cavill was done as The Man of Steel, in keeping with the DC Multiverse concept.

Cavill debuted as Clark Kent/Superman in 2013’s Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder, to mixed reviews. Although installments such as Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017) received mix responses – the latter especially thanks to replacement director Joss Whedon –  Cavill’s passion for the character and stoic performance have made him a fan favorite.

The recently released Zack Snyder’s Justice League – the culmination of a fan movement to see Zack return to finish what he had envisioned before departing the project in light of personal tragedy – provided Cavill with additional heat for his return. Cavill, himself, however, has gone on record that he’s not done with the role. He noted last December that he “is ready and waiting for the phone calls.”

So will we see Henry take to the skies again on the big screen? We can only hope.

Official Source – Warner Bros. Leaning Toward Henry Cavill Superman Comeback (cbr.com)


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Warner Bros./Discovery Clips “Batgirl” Film’s Wings https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/08/08/warner-bros-discovery-clips-batgirl-films-wings-and-why/ https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/08/08/warner-bros-discovery-clips-batgirl-films-wings-and-why/#respond Mon, 08 Aug 2022 02:04:24 +0000 https://dccomicsnews.com/?p=171185 Warner Bros./Discovery has announced they are shelving the nearly-finished Batgirl film indefinitely. The studio has released this official…

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Warner Bros./Discovery has announced they are shelving the nearly-finished Batgirl film indefinitely.

The studio has released this official statement, which also confirms the cancellation of other Warner Bros. projects:

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.

Warner Bros./Discovery Decision on “Batgirl” And Directors’ Response

The new leadership in question are the new owners of the studio, in particular the new CEO David Zaslav. This past week the studio also announced plans to approach the DC universe in a manner similar to what Marvel Studios has done with the MCU. They foresee a 10-year plan, and clearly Barbara Gordon’s first solo film does not fit in with their vision.

The film, which held a budget of $90 million dollars, was a year one approach to Batgirl which also starred Michael Keaton as The Dark Knight once more, and J.K. Simmons reprising his Justice League role as Commissioner Gordon, Barbara’s father. Brendan Fraser had been cast as Garfield Lyns, aka Firefly, the movie’s antagonist. The film was to have no connection to either the Tim Burton films in which Keaton originally starred, nor the Zack Snyder films. Co-directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah had hoped to deliver a gritty product that paid homage to the comics. At the time of this announcement, the cast and crew had spent several months in Glasgow, Scotland and was in post-production.

Arbi and Fallah released a joint statement in light of these developments:

As to what this 10-year plan is for the DCEU, Warner did not have further comment.

Official Sources – Warner Bros. Releases Official Batgirl Cancellation Explanation (cbr.com)

‘Batgirl’ Won’t Fly: Warner Bros. Discovery Has No Plans to Release Nearly Finished $90 Million Film (thewrap.com)


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Michael Keaton’s Batman Confirmed for HBO’s “Batgirl!” https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/06/07/michael-keatons-batman-confirmed-for-hbos-batgirl/ https://dccomicsnews.com/2022/06/07/michael-keatons-batman-confirmed-for-hbos-batgirl/#respond Tue, 07 Jun 2022 21:14:14 +0000 https://dccomicsnews.com/?p=170377 Michael Keaton will don his cape and cowl again for not only The Flash, but also HBO’s Batgirl.…

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Michael Keaton will don his cape and cowl again for not only The Flash, but also HBO’s Batgirl.

The film’s directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have confirmed the 70-year-old actor’s involvement with two words:

F*** yes! The O.G. Batman is in the movie.

(Of course, this confirmation comes after weeks of on-set photos of Keaton as Bruce Wayne and as Batman, so this admission is a bit of a redundancy, albeit an exciting one).

Michael Keaton Returns for Batgirl

Lead actress, Leslie Grace, however, confesses the level of excitement in Keaton’s involvement leaned more so towards Arbi and Fallah:

It was wild for [everyone.] Our directors were like two little kids. They’re legit Batman nerds openly. He’s Batman, man! I couldn’t even believe that I was sharing space with Batman. I want to say more, but I can’t. It was insane, surreal, incredible. It was the stuff of dreams really.

Keaton, known for comedic films at the time, was met with ridicule and rejection when his casting as Bruce Wayne was announced in 1987. However, it was his performance in Beetlejuice for director Tim Burton that demonstrated Michael’s potential to convey the duality of playboy and vigilante. The end result won fans over as much as Jack Nicholson’s Joker.

The 1989 Batman film by Tim Burton went on to earn a domestic box office total of $251.2 million and an international amount of $160.15 million, respectively. He returned for Burton’s next chapter, Batman Returns, starring alongside Danny DeVito’s Penguin and Michelle Pfieffer’s Catwoman. This far-darker sequel earned $162 million at the North American box office and an international return of $266.9 million.

Unfortunately, Keaton walked away from the cape and cowl due to creative differences with director Joel Schumacher for Batman Forever. In recent years, Keaton has appeared in the MCU as Adrian Toomes, AKA The Vulture, in Spider-Man: Homecoming and Morbius.

Batgirl follows the arrival of Barbara Gordon (Grace) to the Bat-Family. JK Simmons reprises his Justice League role as Commissioner James Gordon, and Brendan Fraser will portray Garfield Lynns, AKA Firefly.

Grace went further to declare:

That’s the stuff you can only dream of. So anytime I was on set with any of them, I’m always [soaking up. Anytime] I’m on set period, even if I am the only person on camera, I’m trying to soak up from the crew from. Any amount of experience [is helpful.

 

Our crew is incredible as well, but those guys, they were just so generous with their knowledge. And there were so many fun conversations with Brendan and with J.K. It was incredible.

The release date of Batgirl has yet to be confirmed.

Official Source – Batgirl Directors Confirm Michael Keaton Batman Role In HBO Max Film (comicbook.com)


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