The studio that produced “Batgirl” starring actress Leslie Grace announced the movie will not be released on the big screen.
A Warner Bros. spokesperson issued a statement on the decision.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
The statement continues, “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.”
Read the statement below:
Warner Bros. Discovery's statement on Batgirl's Cancellation. pic.twitter.com/6LhIXOmsGA
— Furlow7 (@Furlow71) August 3, 2022
NPR noted that the movie originally had a budget of $75 million.
It then spiked to $90 million as a result of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A top Hollywood source told The New York Post that test screenings did not prove to be successful.
“They think an unspeakable ‘Batgirl’ is going to be irredeemable,” the source said to the outlet.
The film also reportedly featured J.K. Simmons, Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser.
According to the Post, it was slated for a release on HBO Max.
Variety reported that sources with knowledge of the situation say the most likely reason for the cuts was taxes.
Additionally, the outlet wrote that “several sources say it will almost certainly take a tax write-down on both films, seen internally as the most financially sound way to recoup the costs (at least, on an accountant’s ledger).”
Deadline suggested that more changes to HBO Max are expected with the upcoming earnings call.
