Leslie Grace could still play Batgirl

Virgin Radio

14 Aug 2022, 11:44

But seriously, what is going on with the DCEU?

Say what you like about Marvel's Cinematic Universe - and the worst you might say is it's getting pretty hard to keep up to date, since they've probably released two movies and five mini-series in the time it's taken us to write this sentence - but it's unarguable that it is the gold standard for franchise building.

All of which further exposes what a mess whatever DC are trying to do with their DCEU.

Unless you've been locked up in Arkham Asylum for the last month, you will know that the Batgirl movie scheduled for release on HBO Max and starring Leslie Grace (and J.K. Simmons, Brendan Fraser and a former Batman Michael Keaton) has now been pulled. It's all pretty complicated, but essentially it's down to a restructuring of vision by incoming Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zasla.

Zasla's recently announced ten-year plan is focused on theatrical release films. Still, it must suck to spend a year or so working on a movie and then have it thrown in the bin.

According to Variety; “newly installed Warner Bros. Pictures Group chiefs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, in seeking to mend fences with Batgirl star Leslie Grace, are entertaining the possibility of having her continue to play Batgirl in a future DC film (or, at least, star in another Warner Bros. production).” 

The smart money is on this being Black Canary, the solo feature for the character first introduced in Harley Quinn’s 2020 Birds of Prey movie.

“The everyday risks faced by any production," continues the Variety article, "have been compounded by the shock of the Batgirl cancelation and uncertainty over who will be the new big boss at DC.” It's a nervous time for all involved with projects such as Peacemaker, Wonder Woman and The Flash. Though probably not for that last film's lead star, to be honest. Who knows what is going on there...

And yet this is an ever evolving story, with Giant Freakin Robot now reporting that Leslie Grace has been offered new projects within the DCEU. Apparently she's said "no". And who can blame her?

Stay tuned for more drama, folks. Or not...