Warner Bros. has frequently changed plans for DC Extended Universe (now called DC Universe) and has revitalized or pushed back projects to fit ever-changing strategies. However, nothing was more shocking and abrupt than canceling Batgirl. Batgirl was announced in 2017, with Joss Whedon heading the project. Still, it only entered production after Birds of Prey with writer Christina Hodson and director-duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. Slated to release in 2022 as an HBO Max original movie, Batgirl was canceled the same year in a shocking move from Warner Bros. Citing cost-cutting measures, the studio’s call to sack a $90M project was met with criticism across the fanbase.

Now, Joe Russo has expressed his disappointment over the decision to discard his fellow MCU directors’ project. Talking to Variety, the director called the decision a ‘murder’ by ‘corporate sociopaths.’ The Avengers: Endgame director criticized the decision in his own words, citing fear for other filmmakers who might also be susceptible to such studio decisions. He said:

It’s rare that I can think of something that high profile, that expensive, that was murdered in such a way. 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.

Batgirl was a significant DC Universe project featuring Michael Keaton’s Batman alongside J.K. Simmons’ Commissioner Gordon. The film was also important as it would have introduced a new character to mainstream DCU. Many say that not allowing the directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah to complete the movie was against creative interests and that the studio should have gone along with the film to the point of completion. Ultimately, the film was nixed by the company undergoing a management change under Discovery.

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Photo: Gage Skidmore

In its attempt to recreate DCU on par with Marvel Cinematic Universe, Warner Bros. has appointed new management to head creative and marketing decisions for DC. The DC Films division is being rebranded as DC Studios. Moreover, MCU alumni James Gunn will co-chair the new company with Peter Safran. Many, including DC fans, praised the decision to appoint two co-CEOs to oversee DC Studios and DCU.

Earlier, DC Films had confirmed that Batgirl would have scope for revival in the future. Now that DCU is heading in a new direction with a new strategic management team, it’s feasible that James Gun will bring the project on track again. But it’s better not to get excited about it. Because bringing back the whole crew to finish up the project and round up the cast for additional shoots will be a task.

Moreover, James Gunn may prefer to revive the money-minting superhero adaptations such as Superman and Batman, now that the former is back to DCU with Henry Cavill returning to reprise the role. There will be new contracts and new stories that will come forward in the new DC Studio. But it’s unclear if any of them would be Batgirl.

Currently, Black Adam, the latest DCU movie, is in theaters with Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, The Flash, and Blue Beetle in line for release in 2023.