Batgirl

Batgirl (2025): A Lost Chapter in the DC Universe

Batgirl was once set to be a groundbreaking entry in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), introducing a new generation of heroism through the story of Barbara Gordon — the daughter of Gotham’s Police Commissioner James Gordon. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, and written by Christina Hodson, the film starred Leslie Grace in the lead role. With its diverse cast and the return of iconic characters, Batgirl held the promise of a fresh perspective within the superhero genre. But despite being nearly finished, the film was shelved before release — turning what could’ve been a major milestone into one of Hollywood’s most controversial cancellations.

The story was expected to follow Barbara Gordon as she navigates life as both a young woman and a rising vigilante in Gotham City. J.K. Simmons reprised his role as James Gordon, bringing continuity from previous DCEU films. Michael Keaton was also set to return as an older Bruce Wayne/Batman, linking the film to both past and present timelines in the DC multiverse. Brendan Fraser was cast as the villain Firefly, a disgruntled former firefighter turned arsonist, while Ivory Aquino portrayed Alysia Yeoh — Batgirl’s best friend and the first openly transgender character in a DC live-action film.

Production began in late 2021, with filming taking place primarily in Glasgow, Scotland. The film’s budget was reported to be around $90 million. By early 2022, Batgirl had wrapped principal photography and entered post-production. Everything seemed on track for a release on HBO Max, in line with Warner Bros.’ strategy of growing its streaming platform with exclusive original content.

However, in August 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery shocked the industry by announcing that Batgirl would not be released — not in theaters, not on streaming, not anywhere. The move was part of a larger corporate shift focused on cutting costs and prioritizing big-budget theatrical releases over streaming-exclusive films. Despite being nearly completed, Batgirl was shelved as a financial write-off, sparking widespread backlash from fans, industry professionals, and even members of the cast and crew.

Leslie Grace expressed her disappointment but remained gracious, stating she was proud of what the team had created. The directors, blindsided by the decision, voiced their sadness, revealing they were locked out of the editing room before they could finish the final cut. While rumors persisted about unfinished scenes or technical concerns, many viewed the cancellation as a strategic business move rather than an artistic one.

Today, Batgirl stands as a symbol of lost potential — a film that could have introduced meaningful representation, continued legacy characters, and redefined what a modern superhero origin story could look like. In the newly rebooted DC Universe led by James Gunn and Peter Safran, there is hope that Barbara Gordon might still make her debut someday. But the original Batgirl film, with its unique cast and vision, is likely gone forever.

In the end, Batgirl is remembered not for what it was, but for what it could have been — a promising chapter of the DCEU erased before it had a chance to be told.