Batgirl: directors reiterate their sadness at not being able to show the film to the world

It’s been over a year since Warner Bros. Discovery announced the cancellation of Batgirl and some fans still can’t believe it. This decision is one of the most radical that has been observed in the DC Extended Universe and its consequences continue to be felt. Through a new interview with Insider, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah talk about the deep sadness they still feel about everything that happened to their heroine.

Do not miss: Punk criticism | Blue Beetle: When DC’s expectations collided with reality

For months, Leslie Grace and the Batgirl team have been sharing small glimpses at the film and filling fans with anticipation. There were many who were eager to see the Barbara Gordon of the MCU, but all dreams were shattered when in August 2022 Warner simply declared that the film would not reach movie theaters or HBO Max, and the material would be saved. forever.

After hearing the terrible news, Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi They tried by every means possible to recover some of the material from batgirl, but the efforts were in vain. Warner’s higher-ups had already deleted all traces of the film on the corresponding servers, so the directing duo was left with nothing. Here are the recent statements from the filmmakers more than a year after the incident:

We didn’t have the opportunity to show Batgirl to the world and let the audience judge for themselves. Because the audience is really our ultimate boss and should be the ones who decide if something is good or bad, or if something should be seen or not.

We invite you to read: Co-president of DC Studios says that the films of the new cinematic universe will satisfy fans and will not confuse them

The great failed project

The reasons behind the cancellation of Batgirl were various and diffuse. Although the directors mention that the quality of the film had nothing to do with it, David Zaslav (Warner CEO) released a statement on the subject a few days after the terrible announcement (via Variety): “We are not going to release a movie to make pennies and we are not going to release a movie unless we believe in it. “These are brands known around the world and we are going to focus on quality.” Another statement from Warner maintained that the decision was made due to restructuring at the company (via comic book):

The decision not to launch Batgirl reflects the strategic shift in our leadership regarding the DC universe and HBO Max. Leslie Grace is an incredibly talented actress and this decision is not a reflection on her performance. We are incredibly grateful to the filmmakers of Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt and their respective casts and we look forward to collaborating with everyone again in the near future.

The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has faced a number of difficulties in its quest to achieve the same level of success as its rival, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). One of the main ones has been the lack of cohesion in its narrative and tone. Unlike the MCU, which has built an interconnected and coherent narrative throughout its films, the DCEU has struggled to maintain a consistent vision, resulting in films that varied drastically in style and tone. This led to a mixed reception from critics and audiences, which undermined confidence in the franchise.

Additionally, the DCEU has also faced challenges in managing iconic characters like Batman and Superman. Changes in actors and creative approaches led to a lack of continuity in the portrayal of these heroes, which confused fans and sparked criticism. However, despite these difficulties, the DCEU has shown resilience in recent years with successful films like Wonder Woman and Aquaman, and the franchise is looking to establish a stronger, more coherent direction for its future in film. Unfortunately, Batgirl was robbed of the opportunity to be part of the saga and the future of DC on the big screen.

You may also be interested in: Creators of Injustice and Mortal Kombat want to develop a Marvel vs. D.C.