Why wouldn’t Warner Bros. just release Batgirl on HBO Max?
The film world has reacted in shock to Warner Bros.’ decision to shelve its Batgirl movie, despite the film being in post-production and largely complete. Such moves are rare, and it seems inconceivable that any business would choose to just throw away a project that had cost a reported $90 million, no matter how bad it might be. In the past, it’s been more common for troubled projects to be quietly released on streaming or home video formats than for them never to see the light of day.
Why would Warner Bros. not choose to recoup some of its investment and just release the film on its streaming platform, HBO Max? In fact, Batgirl was originally conceived as an HBO Max streaming exclusive, and this was part of the reason for its downfall.
The New York Post, in its original scoop, presented the decision as one motivated solely by quality. In sensational terms, the movie was called “unspeakable,” “irredeemable,” and a “DC disaster” that would severely damage the brand. But further reporting suggests this is inaccurate, or at least an oversimplification.
Batgirl was directed by the well-regarded duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who made the hit 2020 action sequel Bad Boys for Life and were the lead directors on Ms. Marvel for Disney Plus. The cast featured In the Heights star Leslie Grace as well as the heavyweight acting trio of J.K. Simmons, Michael Keaton, and Brendan Fraser. Deadline reported that the film tested with audiences and the result “wasn’t that bad,” despite unfinished effects.
Variety’s sources agreed that the decision was not about the film’s quality. Instead they linked it to a strategic move at the newly merged Warner Bros. Discovery organization, led by new CEO David Zaslav, to ensure all DC movies are
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