“Batgirl,” a $90 million production currently in post-production at Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD), has been shelved.
What Happened: Warner Bros. Discovery has "pivoted the company’s priorities" back to theatrical features, according to Variety.
That leaves "Batgirl," which was set to premiere on the streaming platform HBO Max, without a home.
I don't buy it because A) It's the Post, and B) No one spends $70 million on a movie and doesn't release it, no matter how bad it is. (See: Morbius.) https://t.co/j3YUlkwMIx
— The Marc Bernardin (@marcbernardin) August 2, 2022
The decision was not driven by the quality of the film, which had performed well during test screenings.
Why It Matters: The news, first reported by the New York Post, naturally drew the ire of fans on Twitter who had been anticipating the character's big-screen debut.
If they really plan on not releasing Batgirl…
— HiTop Alex (@HiTopFilms) August 2, 2022
Somebody is going to leak it, and I will anxiously anticipate that leak.
I was very excited. pic.twitter.com/pgwuHBhwUE
It's also a poor showing for Warner Bros. Discovery, which — despite its lineup of movies featuring DC Comics characters — barely made a sound at last week's San Diego Comic-Con (aside from a Dwayne Johnson appearance to promote "Black Adam"). Meanwhile, fans erupted over producer Kevin Feige's unveiling of Marvel's future plans.
Marvel, a DC rival in all-things superheroes, is owned by Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS).
What's Next: Expect fans to campaign for the studio to release "Batgirl," which stars Leslie Grace, J.K. Simmons, Brendan Fraser and Michael Keaton, who reprises his role as Batman.
Thinking about all the cast and crew whose time was wasted, $90 dollars tossed away on a film I heard was good. It’s disgraceful. Hope Adil and Bilall land a superhero feature at Marvel or Sony and that Leslie Grace gets another big role. #Batgirl
— Richard Newby (@RICHARDLNEWBY) August 2, 2022
Back when AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) owned DC Comics, fans of director Zack Snyder successfully campaigned to get his unfinished cut of "Justice League" to premiere on HBO Max.
Also, "The Flash" is continuing with a 2023 theatrical release despite allegations of abuse and misconduct surrounding its star, Ezra Miller.
WB: let’s scrap the Batgirl film with a promising young star, Michael Keaton Batman, & Brendan Fraiser as the villain but make absolutely no changes to a Flash film where are star is currently hiding from the police https://t.co/qFNmcPlmcj
— Nicholas (@NicholasJLevi) August 2, 2022
WBD Price Action: Warner Bros. Discovery closed at $16 per share on Tuesday.
Photo: Leslie Grace as Batgirl
