UPDATE: The news has now been confirmed by Deadline, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
Earlier today, The New York Post ran a story claiming that Batgirl has been shelved by Warner Bros. Citing a $70 million budget that ballooned to upwards of $100 million and poor test screenings, the site (that peddles an awful lot of unfounded gossip) claimed a source told them, "they think an unspeakable 'Batgirl' is going to be irredeemable."
Most fans dismissed this as a bogus report, especially after recent chatter about Batgirl being eyed for a theatrical release. While the movie has been caught up in the issues surrounding The Flash, it boasts a lead star in the talented Leslie Grace and an ensemble that includes J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon, Brendan Fraser as Firefly, and Michael Keaton as Batman.
We thought Batgirl having to come out after The Flash was its biggest issue (in order for Keaton's presence to make sense), but The Wrap has now chimed in to confirm that this DC Comics movie will never see the light of day.
According to the trade, "leaders of the studio determined ultimately in spite of reshoots and increased budget, did not work, according to insiders. The new owners and management are committed to making DC titles big theatrical event films, and 'Batgirl' isn’t that."
This is mind-blowing, especially when it's not like Batgirl would mark the first time Warner Bros. has released a bad DC Comics movie (all but a few have received "Rotten" reviews). Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah helmed the well-received Bad Boys For Life and their two Ms. Marvel episodes were among the show's best, so it feels like something isn't adding up here.
Apparently, "Insiders add that studio brass loves the film’s directors and star, and are actively planning to work with them soon." For what it's worth, Warner Bros. Discovery is said to be looking to elevate the brand on the big screen, and it appears Batgirl just doesn't fit into that vision.
Additional details back at The New York Post claim that overwhelmingly negative test screenings played into this decision, and it's said "This is the end of DC as a hobby" as the studio looks to find someone to oversee these movies. Why they'd preempt that by scrapping Batgirl is hard to say, but it feels like a full-blown reboot is on the way.
That likely means plans for Keaton to play Batman in multiple projects have been scrapped, with this news coming just days after he's seemingly been replaced by Ben Affleck's Dark Knight in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
As of right now, Batgirl will never be released.