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NY Post: ‘Irredeemable’ ‘Batgirl’ movie gets ‘shelved’ by Warner Bros. despite $70M price tag: source

Posted by: Peter453 (a.k.a del_JST_Peter453) on Aug 02, 13:15

Holy millions down the drain, Batman!

The DC Comics film “Batgirl” will be completely “shelved” by Warner Bros., a top Hollywood source told The Post.

That means it won’t hit theaters or the streaming service HBO Max. Fans will not see it.

The reportedly $70 million movie (the source said the budget was actually more than $100 million), which was doing test screenings for audiences in anticipation of a late 2022 debut, would rank among the most expensive cinematic castoffs ever.

Those tests were said to be so poorly received by moviegoers that the studio decided to cut its losses and run, for the sake of the brand’s future. It’s a DC disaster.

“They think an unspeakable ‘Batgirl’ is going to be irredeemable,” the source said.

The Post has reached out to Warner Bros. for comment.

It’s been a monthslong walk of shame for the movie. “Batgirl,” directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (“Bad Boys for Life”), received not a single mention at DC’s Comic-Con panel in San Diego in July — an unusual move that raised industry eyebrows. The much-publicized event, after all, is designed to boost exposure for forthcoming projects just like this one.

Marvel’s Comic-Con presentation, on the flip side, announced more than a dozen films in the so-called Phases 5 and 6 of the MCU, to be released through fall 2025, with even more surely in the hopper.

“Batgirl,” which stars Leslie Grace (“In the Heights”) in the title role, alongside J.K. Simmons, Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser, was originally planned for an HBO Max release. The Puck newsletter reported in April that WB’s then-chair, Toby Emmerich, was considering a theatrical run for the film too.

But Emmerich stepped down in June to form his own production company — not long after Warner Bros. merged with Discovery and David Zaslav became the CEO of the new entity. He replaced Emmerich with MGM’s Michael De Luca (who likely had to deliver the “Bat” news) and Pam Abdy.

While the film’s co-directors have done some scattered interviews about casting, the studio has been mum on plans for “Batgirl” ever since.

NY Post: ‘Irredeemable’ ‘Batgirl’ movie gets ‘shelved’ by Warner Bros. despite $70M price tag: source Peter453 Aug 02, 13:15

This is not official. But think the chances it goes to steaming and no theatrical release are going right up. {nm} Peter453 Aug 02, 13:16

Variety article seems more definitive (link inside) bface Aug 02, 14:04

Mayimbe seems to believe it, and he usually has sources he can double-check with... TheWeekendWarrior Aug 02, 13:30

Some rumours HBO Max is getting folded into Discovery and just keeping HBO tab. Zaslav sounds like he is making big changes {nm} Peter453 Aug 02, 13:36

That would be TERRIBLE. {nm} TheWeekendWarrior Aug 02, 13:39

Wouldn't they prefer to fold Discovery into HBO Max? Max has much more name recognition than Discovery {nm} JayPrimetown Aug 02, 13:39

Keep HBO and fold HBO Max into Discovery. {nm} Peter453 Aug 02, 13:42

it was announced some time ago that HBO Max and Discovery networks would merge. there's no way they abandon the HBO Max brand raccacoonie Aug 02, 13:50

Grace Randolph is confirming. {nm} TheWeekendWarrior Aug 02, 13:41

Tweet from Grace Randolph with more rumors JayPrimetown Aug 02, 13:44