Reportedly, upcoming HBO Max exclusive and DC film Batgirl has been cancelled with no plans to release theatrically or to streaming.
Batgirl stars In The Heights star Lesile Grace in the titular character. Alongside her is J.K. Simmons as Jim Gordon, who was introduced as the character in Justice League and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (depending on your preference).
What sets this movie apart from other DC films, is that Batgirl would see the re-introduction of Michael Keaton as Batman. Keaton hasn’t been seen as the Dark Knight since Tim Burton’s Batman Returns in 1992.
How the transition from Ben Affleck to Keaton is yet to be seen, but is assumed to be explained in a timey-wimey way, in 2023’s The Flash, which stars both Batmen.
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However, after delay upon delay due to COVID outbreak’s, the merging of Warner Bros. and Discovery and Ezra Miller’s urge to pick fights; it looks like DC films are about to have a massive shake up.
The $70 – $100 million dollar project was set to hit streaming later this year, around the same time as The Flash. But like Flash himself, the film seems to keep running away as soon as we get close. The current release date is June of 2023.
With such a strong connection to the feature, fans were left wondering how this would affect Batgirl. Understandably, the direct-to-streaming movie was delayed until 2023. But, it was left with the encouraging footnote that the film might get pushed for a theatrical release as well.
Recently, test screenings for Batgirl seemed to suggest that the film hadn’t met the expectations of Warner Bros. Discovery. Sources told The New York Post that it was “irredeemable”.
However, at this late stage in the process it is extremely unlikely for a film to not proceed. Especially when the studio can at least recoup some of their losses, regardless of the reception.
Allegedly, this move is part of a swift rejection of former Warner Bros. CEO Jason Kilar’s strategy to create an overwhelming amount of content for HBO Max. This content included the entire 2021 same-date theatrical slate of Warner Bros. which led to a mass outcry from the film industry and led to his stepping down.
In April of this year, Discovery merged with Warner Bros. and it was expected that although a shuffle was inevitable, a similar trajectory would aim to push subscribers for HBO Max and direct-to-streaming content.
But this doesn’t seem to be the case and is expected to be explained in detail at their quarterly report on Thursday, 4th of August. Allegedly, HBO Max will be cancelled and folded into Discovery’s streaming service.
Adding to the confusion, Jason Mamoa recently posted to Instagram a photo of him and Affleck, confirming reshoots for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom featured Affleck as Batman and not Keaton.
The combination of these stories have fans suggesting that it also points to the cancellation of The Flash. After Ezra Miller’s continuous damaging behaviour, the success of the feature is becoming more and more doubtful.
If last month’s San Diego Comic-Con is anything to go by, the only films that seem to be safe in this new regime are Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
In summary, the future of DC films is very messy and it seems as if its new parents are trying to steer the multi-billion dollar ship in another direction.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom.
‘Black Adam’ October, 2022
Dwayne Johnson joins the DC universe as the arch-enemy of Shazam. But it seems like we are seeing a twist on the character and seeing his fall from anti-hero to straight up bad guy.
‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ December, 2022
Zachary Levi returns to the role as the kid/adult hero. Alongside him this time is a whole band of misfits who must fight vengeful gods Lucy Lu and Helen Mirren.
‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ March, 2023
Jason Mamoa returns as the King of Atlantis alongside Amber Heard… Maybe?
After the chaotic defamation trial of Johnny Depp, DC seems to be full of trouble makers, which has sources suggesting that Heard is barely in the movie. Some even suggest that it is likely Heard’s scenes may be removed completely or recast.
‘The Flash’ June, 2023
Announced nearly a decade ago, Ezra Miller is reprising his role (at this stage). He is joined by Michael Keaton as Batman and Sasha Calle as Supergirl.
However, after the latest shifts and Miller’s brawls it is unclear as to the future of the film.
‘Blue Beetle’ August, 2023
DC’s first live-action Latino hero finds an alien beetle that gives him superhuman armour. The film is still in early production but was originally meant to be a direct to HBO Max feature. In late 2021, it was announced the film would have a theatrical release, perhaps saving it from the axe.
‘The Batman 2’ TBC
After the success of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, you can expect to see Robert Pattinson back as the world’s greatest detective. If we’re lucky we’ll see more of Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman, Colin Farrell’s The Penguin and Barry Keoghan as The Joker.
‘The Penguin spin-off’ TBC
Currently in pre-production is a spin-off series of Colin Farrell’s character that will show his rise to power in the aftermath of the destruction of Gotham in The Batman. The series will go to HBO Max.
‘Arkham spin-off’ TBC
Another HBO Max spin-off of The Batman sees an exploration of the famous Arkham Asylum that is home to Batman’s most famous villains.
Which upcoming DC project are you most looking forward to? And which do you think will be next on the chopping board?
