BATGIRL: Here's How Michael Keaton's Batman Reportedly Factored Into The Canceled DC Comics Movie

BATGIRL: Here's How Michael Keaton's Batman Reportedly Factored Into The Canceled DC Comics Movie

Following the news that Batgirl has been scrapped by Warner Bros. Discovery, some new details have emerged about how Michael Keaton's Batman was set to factor into this DC Comics movie post-The Flash.

By JoshWilding - Aug 03, 2022 09:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Batgirl

While plenty of studios have scrapped movies before now, Batgirl's cancellation is pretty unprecedented. The movie is currently in post-production, with costs on the $70 million DC Comics adaptation rising to $90 million as a result of reshoots and issues caused by the pandemic. 

While Batgirl was developed for HBO Max (making it the equivalent of a TV movie), it also felt like a big deal for the DCEU. For starters, it was set to take place in the new DC Universe created by The Flash where Michael Keaton's Batman is Gotham City's Caped Crusader.

J.K. Simmons was also reprising his Justice League role as Commissioner Gordon, news that excited SnyderVerse fans. Now, though, Batgirl will never see the light of day as Warner Bros. Discovery goes back to the drawing board with its DC Comics movies.

The potential blockbuster wasn't deemed cinematic enough for the big screen, while it appears studio heads felt it simply wasn't worth the time or expense to release it on HBO Max (where it would make little difference to their balance sheets). 

Today, a prolific leaker has shared some intel on how Batgirl was going to play out.

As you can see below, Keaton was expected to have a relatively small supporting role in Batgirl, while Barbara Gordon's transformation into a superhero looked set to play out a little differently from the comic books. Despite that, we'd have eventually seen a full-blown team-up and a tease for the future as both heroes leapt into action as Gotham's protectors. 

Nothing about this sounds inherently bad, and unless all plans for Keaton's Batman have been ditched, we're not sure why Warner Bros. didn't take a punt and give this movie the chance to make its budget back at the box office. The belief seems to be that it could have damaged the brand by not being grand enough in scale, but Joker wasn't exactly Avengers: Endgame!

Check out these new Batgirl details below:
 

BATMAN Star Michael Keaton Doesn't Care About BATGIRL Being Scrapped: Big, Fun, Nice Check
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BATMAN Star Michael Keaton Doesn't Care About BATGIRL Being Scrapped: "Big, Fun, Nice Check"

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Havenless
Havenless - 8/3/2022, 9:02 AM
“ she just dressed up as Batman for a Halloween party, stopped some terrorists, and tweaked the costume to be a superhero.”


Oh okay, now I understand why it was canceled.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 8/3/2022, 9:05 AM
Word is the Green Lantern series has been cancelled for some time as well.
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 8/3/2022, 9:10 AM
@regularmovieguy - uhh word is that’s not even noteworthy, no offense
Fogs
Fogs - 8/3/2022, 9:05 AM
Another "passing the torch" type of story then, despite the last scene.

I wouldn't mind watching another true Keaton Bats movie.
tBHzHomer
tBHzHomer - 8/3/2022, 9:08 AM
Anyone else hoping this movie leaks? Despite the supposed negative reactions, I really wanna see it. If for nothing else, just to see Fraser and Keaton.
LSHF
LSHF - 8/3/2022, 9:15 AM
@tBHzHomer -

I hope they just release it on HBO-MAX. It probably wouldn't be the first film that didn't get high ratings in the early screenings that millions of others liked anyway.

I mean, millions of people didn't like Justice League, but millions of others did. There "will" be people who will like it, so let them see it. "They" can be the judges if they like it or not.

It just seems a waste to at least not make it available for streaming.
Murderisbadong
Murderisbadong - 8/3/2022, 9:22 AM
@LSHF - it’s not going to HBO Max. Also if the rumor is true and they’re using the movie as a tax write off. It’s never going to see the light of day because it might cause some legal issues.
LSHF
LSHF - 8/3/2022, 9:36 AM
@Murderisbadong - I know (I read the same articles), but I can still "hope".

I don't know about any "legal issues", but I'll take your word for it.

Still, I hope to see it.

CaptainDC
CaptainDC - 8/3/2022, 9:42 AM
@Murderisbadong - You don't think Waddles knows this? Lol
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 8/3/2022, 10:56 AM
@Murderisbadong - out of all reasons, the tax write off is probably the lamest. I get it, but that really shows they don't care in my eyes.

If they just pawn off to Netflix for 90 million, they still have their 90 million.
Baf
Baf - 8/3/2022, 9:16 AM
Such a shame I wont get to read all the negative comments this film would have generated.
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 8/3/2022, 9:23 AM
Im still shocked that this movie wont be dumped on HBO Max
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