From shelving the Batgirl movie to reports indicating Sasha Calle’s Supergirl standalone won’t move forward – Warner Bros. Discovery’s overhaul strategy for the DC film brand has left the DCEU fandom heartbroken. And piling on over the already somber news, it seems the studio could push back Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom release dates.
All eyes are on Warner Bros. Discovery’s earnings call since the devastating news of Batgirl’s cancellation. But the shocking news hasn’t been easy on the fans, especially after Leslie Grace shared a wholesome compilation of memories from the Batgirl set wearing the costume as Barbara Gordon, singing alongside star Ivory Aquino (who would have been the first Trans character in DC Extended Universe). In addition, filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah also shared a statement that they “still can’t believe it” But praised the cast Michael Keaton, JK Simmons, Brendan Fraser, Jacob Scipio, Corey Johnson, Rebecca Front “and especially the great Leslie Grace”.
Amid this uncertain time in Hollywood, questions over The Flash movie’s fate have popped up too. While it’s unclear if Andy Muschietti‘s film could also be canned, it seems the planned Supergirl movie played by Calle, who would debut in the speedster movie, will face the same fate as Grace’s standalone flick, an insider told Rolling Stone.
Meanwhile, panic has taken over social media as DC aficionados fear which DC project could face the ax next. Some even prompted Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director James Gunn for an update on the Peacemaker season 2. If it could face the same demise as Batgirl though the helmer has assured otherwise. Still, it remains to be seen if Blue Beetle, Wonder Woman 3 starring Gal Gadot and other planned DC films and TV shows could see the light. WBD reportedly has plans to fold HBO Max into Discovery+ and merge the two as one platform that represents content from both media.
Yes, guys, calm down.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 2, 2022
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So, BATGIRL & SUPERGIRL are cancelled. SHAZAM & AQUAMAN sequels are getting delayed. THE FLASH is undated & is most likely going to get canned.
I am just going to assume BLUE BEETLE, STATIC SHOCK, ZATANNA, & WONDER WOMAN 3 are not happening.
The DCEU is over.
— ALIEN SUPERSTAR (@JesabelRaay) August 4, 2022
Batgirl movie is canceled.
Supergirl movie is canceled.
Leslie & Sasha deserved better. pic.twitter.com/j0doNhOpfK
— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) August 4, 2022
HBO MAX will likely fold into Discovery+ tomorrow.
Content wise, it had some of the best, but the platform didn’t click with consumers. Not a failure like CNN+ or Quibi, but not a success like Netflix or Disney+ either.
Time will tell if the merged streaming service will work.
— Sheraz Farooqi (@SherazFarooqi_) August 3, 2022
Our Batgirl & Supergirl deserve better. 💔 pic.twitter.com/aZC0J8n8r4
— Heroic Hollywood (@heroichollywood) August 4, 2022
Me hearing Warner Bros Discovery cancelled both Batgirl and Supergirl moviespic.twitter.com/4gaa02lYxX
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) August 3, 2022
1st Leslie Grace Batgirl and now Sasha Calle Supergirl gets axed.
Two POC led movie’s Canceled by WB while Ezra Miller still still has his movie.
Not a good look DC.
Another massive L https://t.co/jH1tkGRhmA
— Jimmy Folino #WhoDey 🐅- BLM, StopAsianHate 🏳️🌈 (@MrNiceGuy513) August 4, 2022
The general reactions on social media are mass criticism against Warner Bros.’s decision to cancel projects for tax write-off whilst overlooking creative talents. Even Doctor Strange screenwriter C. Robert Cargill sympathized with the filmmakers, cast & crew of Batgirl and hit back against the decision in a series of tweets.
The idea that you could pour a year or more of your life into a project, actually shoot it, get right up to the finish line on it, and then watch it evaporate into the ether for a corporate tax break is a nightmare. I feel so hard for everyone reeling from this right now.
— C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) August 3, 2022
Never seen this with a movie this size. https://t.co/3WxUmqSORa
— N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) August 2, 2022
WTF??#ReleaseTheAdilandBilallCut https://t.co/98vIkNQwix
— A.C. Bradley (@TheAshBradley) August 3, 2022
“The idea that you could pour a year or more of your life into a project, actually shoot it, get right up to the finish line on it, and then watch it evaporate into the ether for a corporate tax break is a nightmare. I feel so hard for everyone reeling from this right now.”
MCU director Scott Derrickson was shocked by the move as well followed by Ms. Marvel writer A.C. Bradley showing solidarity with the growing movement to release the movie intended for HBO max. However, some have also argued this could clear up past mistakes of the earlier leadership and make way for a definitive inter-connected DC Universe. Could this also mean the end of Snyderverse hopes? All queries could be answered after WBD’s earnings call.
