What a difference a day makes. Twenty-four hours ago, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Bad Boys For Life) were on top of the world, with rumors circulating that their Batgirl film might make its way to the big screen, despite having been planned as an HBO Original. Then, yesterday afternoon, Warner Bros/Discovery decided to scrap the film altogether. Now, the movie will not be released in theatres or on HBO Max, and the film seems destined to be a lost film. It is being permanently shelved thanks to a weird tax loophole that allows the studio to cut their losses provided the movie never see a commercial release. This rarely, if ever, happens. Movies get cancelled after they start shooting, but never after they’re already finished.
Undoubtedly, this development was shocking for El Arbi and Fallah, who were attending El Arbi’s wedding in Morocco. Some wedding gift. The two have released a statement via Instagram, saying they are “saddened and shocked by the news” and “still can’t believe it.” They single out their amazing cast, writing, “it was a dream to work with such fantastic actors like Michael Keaton, JK Simmons, Brendan Fraser, Jacob Scipio, Corey Johnson, Rebecca Front and especially the great Leslie Grace, who portrayed Batgirl with so much passion, dedication and humanity.”
Read the complete statement here:
You have to feel for these guys (and star Leslie Grace- who this might have made into a star). WB has shafted them in a big way, especially as no one will ever be able to judge the film on its own merits. All we’ll ever get is gossip and innuendo based on the handful of test screenings this summer. Hopefully, they’ll bounce back, with the two having already shot a lower-key indie called Rebel, in addition to their fine work on Ms. Marvel. Hopefully, the much anticipated 4th instalment of Bad Boys finally happens so all involved can put this behind them (maybe they’ll even cast Grace in a cool part).
Do you think Batgirl will ever see the light of day?