Warner Brothers has made an 11th-hour announcement it will not release Batgirl, a film which had reached the post-production stage.
Key points:
- The New York Post reported the film tanked during audience tests
- Michael Keaton had donned the Batman suit again for the movie
- Between $US70 and $US100 million had been spent on the film
The film stars In the Heights actor Leslie Grace as the title character, with Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman.
The Mummy’s Brendan Fraser also appeared in the film, which was due to be released through streaming service HBO Max.
Hollywood sources report Warner Brothers predicted the film would not earn enough money to cover its budget.
The Hollywood Reporter said Batgirl’s budget of $US90 million ($130 million) was lower than the average DC film, so “the film is said not to have the spectacle that audiences have come to expect from DC fare.”
The New York Post, which broke the news, cited a source who said the film’s budget had exceeded $US100 million and the film had tanked during audience tests.
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The studio also scrapped another entry in the Scooby-Doo animated film series.
“The decision to not release Batgirl reflects our leadership’s strategic shift as it relates to the DC universe and HBO Max,” a Warner Brothers statement said.
“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.”
Grace is yet to speak publicly about the decision.
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