New Batgirl Footage Sparks Outrage: Was the Cancellation a Huge Mistake?

Approximately three years since Warner Bros. Discovery made headlines with their unexpected choice to abandon the Batgirl movie, fresh behind-the-scenes video clips have sparked renewed debate about the film’s cancellation. The footage showcases a project that appears more refined and enticing than executives suggested when they justified the contentious cancelation in August 2022 by stating the film failed to meet theatrical release standards due to quality issues. The footage features compelling choreography, practical effects, and remarkable stunt work, even in its unfinished form, leading viewers to ponder whether Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to take a tax deduction instead of premiering the movie was genuinely rooted in quality concerns.

In this footage, Emely Cartagena, Scott Rogers, and Stephen Dunlevy are seen performing an intricately planned fight scene that requires great physical effort. What catches your attention is the extensive use of real-life effects instead of digital ones, as Batgirl is depicted crashing through walls during her intense battle against numerous opponents of different sizes. The action is seamlessly smooth, reflecting the directors’ Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah’s clear idea of how the character should move and fight in the sequence.

Peeking at the backstage action during the stunt coordination process for ‘Batgirl’.

Stunt artists involved: Emely Cartagena, Scott Rogers, and Stephen Dunlevy.

— DC Film News (@DCFilmNews) March 19, 2025

Although the footage is raw and unaltered by visual effects, it demonstrates a meticulous focus on realistic fight scenes and environmental damage that lends gravitas to the conflicts. While it lacks the polish from post-production, the scene seems to have been crafted for an effortless combination of practical stunts and minimal digital intervention, showcasing a team dedicated to delivering genuine action that sets itself apart from the growing trend of CGI-dependent superhero films. It’s not surprising that Batgirl’s fans are still upset about the film’s cancellation.

The Turbulent History of Batgirl‘s Cancellation

In August 2022, it was unexpected when Warner Bros. Discovery opted to halt the release of a nearly finished Batgirl movie, worth around $90 million, for tax savings instead. The film had already completed its main photography and was in the post-production phase when David Zaslav, the newly appointed CEO, made this decision as part of wider cost reduction initiatives after the merger of the two companies. Starring Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, J.K. Simmons reprising his Commissioner Gordon role, Brendan Fraser playing Firefly, and Michael Keaton returning as Batman, the movie was unfortunately shelved.

In simple terms, after the cancellation of Batgirl, El Arbi stated that Warner Bros. didn’t find any talent issues with them, the actress, or the movie quality as the reason for its cancellation. Instead, they claimed it was a strategic change due to new management wanting to cut costs. However, this statement conflicts with later assertions by Zaslav stating that Batgirl wasn’t suitable for release, leading to speculation about the clarity of the decision-making process behind the film’s end.

Later on, during the New York Times Dealbook Summit in November 2023, Zaslav justified the contentious move by referring to it as a “brave” and essential action. He explained, “We asked ourselves what content would help us succeed? The content we chose not to produce, we made a calculated decision about.” He went on to say that it was challenging and painful, but he believed it was the correct call for the company and was necessary. These remarks were backed up by then-new DC Studios co-chair Peter Safran, who asserted, “That film wasn’t fit for release,” emphasizing that canceling it was a “daring and brave” decision that would have had detrimental effects on DC if it had been released.

The finished state of both recent footage and earlier insights from the film’s creators has intensified the debate surrounding Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision, as contrasted to the unfinished “Snyder Cut” of Justice League, which demanded extra funding for completion. Interestingly, it’s been reported that Batgirl was mostly completed apart from some special effects, yet its status as a potential tax write-off makes an official release highly improbable due to legal considerations. Despite this, as James Gunn and Peter Safran shape their new vision for DC Universe, the story of Batgirl lingers as a debated chapter in the studio’s past and a stark demonstration of how corporate interests can overpower creative accomplishments.

2025-03-20 11:10

The Turbulent History of Batgirl‘s Cancellation

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