Leslie Grace Opens up on Batgirl Unexpected Cancellation
Leslie Grace has voiced her thoughts about Warner Bros. Discovery’s cancellation of the film, Batgirl. To Grace’s surprise, the news broke in August of 2022.
Leslie Grace was set to star in DC’s Batgirl, in what her co-star, Brendan Fraser, called a “breakthrough role” for her. The movie was supposed to center around Grace’s Barbara Gordon, aka, Batgirl, as she juggles her life as the daughter of Commissioner James Gordon and a crime-fighting superhero, protecting Gotham City.
DC Studios head, Peter Safran, claimed that the film was “unreleasable.” In her interview with Variety, Grace noted that “there was definitely potential for a good film.” At least from what she saw in the unofficial cut of the film, which did not include a lot of scenes and had just begun editing. Unfortunately, the unfavorable initial test screenings of the film played a role in its cancellation as a project.
When DC announced the cancellation, Grace revealed that she “found out like the rest of you.” The film had cost Warner Bros. Discovery $90 million already, despite not being complete. The studio, struggling with debt, decided to shelve the film and collect a tax write-off.
New DCU boss Peter Safran says that the cancelled Batgirl movie was un-releaseable.
— Screen Rant (@screenrant) January 31, 2023
“Zaslav and the team made a very bold and courageous decision to cancel it because it would have hurt DC and it would have hurt the people involved in making it.”https://t.co/4cib87QhX7 pic.twitter.com/SPmMOVkWR5
Emotionally, the film’s cancellation “was like deflating a balloon” Grace explained. However, she tried to remain positive, stating “I just really leaned on the beauty of the idea that I got to have this experience in my life.” Her optimism about the situation is admirable to many fans.
Brendan Fraser, who was set to embody the role of Batgirl’s nemesis, Firefly, told Variety she was also shocked by the news but was ultimately disappointed. He told Variety, “What I find most lamentable is that a whole generation of little girls are going to have to wait longer to see a Batgirl and say, ‘Hey, she looks like me.’” This sentiment has also been shared by fans anticipating the film’s release.
However, despite the ordeal of the film’s cancellation, Grace and Batgirl fans still hold hope about the future of the story. Grace told Variety she and the team saw “long-term potential in the story that [they] were beginning to build.”
The film was truly a labor of love we were excited & eager to share with you all who’ve championed this inspiring character & our fam of nontraditional underrepresented peeps having the opportunity to share with the world that ANYONE & EVERYONE can be a superhero✨ pic.twitter.com/ayIqm4GgiK
— Ivory Aquino (@MsIvoryAquino) August 5, 2022
To Leslie Grace, Bilall Fallah, Adil El Arbi, the incredible cast and tireless crew of BATGIRL, one day your hard work and dedication on this project will be recognized.
— Batman Film News 🦇 (@BatmanFilm_) August 9, 2022
Watch until the end 🦇 #ReleaseBatgirl @lesliegrace @BilallFallah @MsIvoryAquino @MichaelKeaton pic.twitter.com/Xjwn3PzpgN
For now, fans can keep up with Grace in the comedy-thriller podcast series “How to Win Friends and Disappear People.” Check out the episodes here. In the meantime, all DC films are available to stream on HBO Max.
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