**Title: Warner Bros. Shocks Fans by Officially Canceling the Batgirl Movie**
Warner Bros. has made a surprising and controversial decision to cancel the highly anticipated *Batgirl* movie, which was set to debut exclusively on HBO Max. The film, starring Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), had already completed shooting and was in post-production, with a reported budget of $90 million. Despite this, the studio has decided not to release the movie in any capacity, marking a significant shift in their strategic approach to the DC Universe.
The news broke shortly after Warner Bros. presented *Black Adam* and *Shazam! Fury of the Gods* at San Diego Comic-Con, leaving many fans puzzled by *Batgirl's* absence. The Hollywood Reporter and The Wrap were among the first to report the cancellation, which Warner Bros. later confirmed.
In an official statement, Warner Bros. explained, "The decision to not release *Batgirl* reflects our leadership’s strategic shift as it relates to the DC Universe and HBO Max. Leslie Grace is an incredibly talented actor, and this decision is not a reflection of her performance. We are incredibly grateful to the filmmakers of *Batgirl* and *Scoob! Holiday Haunt* and their respective casts, and we hope to collaborate with everyone again in the near future."
Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah expressed their disappointment in an official statement, sharing their sadness over the movie's cancellation. Adil El Arbi even shared a glimpse of Michael Keaton as Batman on his Instagram stories, adding to the sense of what could have been. The cancellation also left other cast and crew members, including Leslie Grace and stunt performer Jules Wallace, expressing their sorrow over the loss of the project.
Interestingly, Michael Keaton, who reprised his role as Batman for the film, seemed unfazed by the news, telling GQ, "No, I didn’t care one way or another. Big, fun, nice check," while making a gesture for money. However, he did express sympathy for the directors, saying, "I like those boys. They’re nice guys... I pull for them. I want them to succeed, and I think they felt very badly, and that made me feel bad. Me?… I’m good."
The decision to shelve *Batgirl* is surprising not only because of the film's completion but also due to the financial implications. The movie's budget was already lower than many DC films, leading some to question why Warner Bros. wouldn't finish the project and release it on HBO Max. This cancellation comes amidst a broader shift under new Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who is reportedly prioritizing theatrical releases over streaming-exclusive projects.
In addition to Leslie Grace as Batgirl, the film featured J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon, Brendan Fraser as the villain Firefly, and Ivory Aquino as Alysia Yeoh, Batgirl's best friend. Warner Bros. has also decided to shelve *Scoob!: Holiday Haunt*, another project that was nearing completion, signaling a significant change in direction for the studio.
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