Batgirl movie was awaiting release in cinemas which was budgeted at more than $70 million and on HBO Max later this year. However, Warner Bros scrapped it after a poor reaction to test screenings, says New York Post. On the other hand, Warner Bros said it reflected “its leadership’s strategic shift”.
Change of Leadership Among Other Factors about Batgirl
Batgirl was extensively shot and produced at Glasgow and is said to have brought significant economic benefits to the city. It was based on the DC comics character Barbara Gordon- Batgirl. Leslie Grace played the role of Batgirl.
She was also supported by Michael Keaton as Batman, Brendan Fraser as villain Firefly, and J K Simmons as Commissioner Gordon.
So far Warner Bros has confirmed that Scoob! Holiday Haunt would be scrapped too. “The decision to not release Batgirl reflects our leadership’s strategic shift as it relates to the DC universe and HBO Max,” WB’s representative said.
“Leslie Grace is an incredibly talented actor and this decision is not a reflection of her performance. We are incredibly grateful to the makers of Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday and their respective casts and we wish to collaborate with everyone again in the near future”
WB’s decision comes after a change of leadership. Warner Bros has recently merged with Discovery in May 2021. And David Zaslav is their new CEO.
The Hollywood Reporter claims that Zaslav has prioritized cost-cutting measures. It would now produce theatrical films instead of projects meant for streaming.
Poor Screen Tests, Cheap Costumes
This is one of those occasions when a fully formed movie with $ 70 million already spent gets shelved. Reporter Steven McIntosh calls this a rare development. The film had apparently not tested well with the audience on early screenings.
The special effects weren’t particularly finished when the initial screenings took place. This apparently reduced audience’s enthusiasm.
The Daily Mail says that among those who saw the film, many complained that the costumes were subpar. And Michael Keaton figured in only a few scenes and that too not as a mentor to Leslie Grace’s Batgirl.
McIntosh says the Batgirl was caught in the middle-not thought to be worthy if a cinema release, but equally not financially viable to release on streaming. Shelving it means that the company won’t have to carry the losses on the books.
Glasgow was a Big Beneficiary of the Project
The Glasgow City Council had reportedly offered £150,000 to Batgirl’s makers as an incentive to film in the area. As of now, they haven’t paid the sum. During that time , Screen Scotland said any production with public money had to hire locally. Batgirl’s filming began at the end of 2021 and continued until March. And it had economically benefitted the city significantly. The film employed 450 people as crew, and 1,300 as supporting artists. Many subcontractors worked as tradespeople , managed traffic and provided security.
A Spokesman for the local authority said, “Any decision on the release of the production is very much a matter for Warner Bros. The £ 150,000 grant support has not been paid and discussions continue with the producers”.
(Inputs, BBC, Daily Mail)
