Batgirl Screenings Are Actually Happening
DC and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced that Batgirl screenings are happening, but these screenings are going to be private.
In the wake of Warner Bros. Discovery abruptly scrapping Batgirl, a select group of insiders is getting to see the movie during secret screenings on the studio’s lot this week. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the mini event is for the cast, crew, and everyone who worked on the defunct project. Representatives and executives will also be in attendance. Described as “funeral screenings” by sources familiar with the situation, the film will then be sent to an undisclosed afterlife with physical and digital footage locked away in a vault.
Batgirl became the most talked-about movie in the world when new Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav opted to scrap the $90 million DC film in favor of a tax write-off. The move is part of the newly merged company’s efforts to save $3 billion in unnecessary costs. The studio is currently dealing with layoffs and restructuring in the hopes of making Warner Bros. Discovery a financially successful powerhouse. Although the project was in postproduction when it was scrapped, the movie was still far from complete. It was still held together with a temporary score and mediocre visual effects.
However, Batgirl did receive a single test screening which was met with positive reviews – especially toward Michael Keaton’s Batman. It was the only time members of the public saw a cut, GameRant reported at the time. Following the film’s brutal axing, fans have wondered if the project could become the next Zack Snyder’s Justice League. But sources say that won’t be possible for several reasons. Justice League was not a tax write-off so there was no legal reason an alternate version couldn’t exist. If the studio releases Batgirl, it would essentially violate tax law with its earnings.
Moreover, directing duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah say they do not personally have access to any footage. Created from a script by Christina Hodson, Batgirl’s story focuses on Barbara Gordon – the daughter of Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon. Gail Simone’s The New 52 Batgirl comics were said to be used as the premise. Leslie Grace was cast as the popular superhero after beating Isabela Merced and Zoey Deutch for the role.
Starring alongside her is Michael Keaton as Batman, while J.K. Simmons returns as Commissioner James Gordon. Brendan Fraser appears as the film’s main antagonist – Firefly. The movie also features Jacob Scipio as Anthony Bressi and Ivory Aquino as Alysia Yeoh. Rebecca Front, Corey Johnson, and Ethan Kai were also cast in undisclosed roles, according to CBR. Sadly, Batgirl isn’t the only Warner Bros Discovery DCEU project affected by the reshuffle. The Wonder Twins, Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, and The Flash (series)have all been canceled.
But there are still several projects that may not be shelved. For now, Blue Beetle, The Flash movie, Green Lantern, Supergirl, Doom Patrol, Titans, Black Canary, The Peacemaker, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Gotham Knights, as well as Superman and Lois are still pending decision Hopefully, the studio eventually finds its feet and manages to build a solid foundation that benefits everyone involved. Then Batgirl wouldn’t have been scrapped for nothing.
