J.K. Simmons Slams Shelving of Batgirl
J.K. Simmons has publicly criticized the 2022 decision by Warner Bros. Discovery to shelve the completed film Batgirl, calling the move “bizarre.” Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the actor, who portrayed Commissioner James Gordon in the project, noted that the film’s cancellation was a business-driven tax write-down rather than a result of poor audience reception.
A Studio’s Choice to Bury a Finished Film
In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery made the decision to cancel the release of Batgirl, a nearly finished DC superhero film that was originally slated for HBO Max. The studio opted to take a tax write-down on the project instead of moving forward with a theatrical or streaming release. This decision was part of a wider cost-cutting purge following the merger of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The Cast Behind the Unreleased Project
The film was directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah and starred Leslie Grace in the title role. The ensemble cast included Brendan Fraser, as well as Ivory Aquino and Jacob Scipio. Michael Keaton was also set to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne, marking his return to the character following his appearances in Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns.
Simmons Reflects on the Production
During his appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Simmons reflected on the project’s abrupt end. He stated that the production was an “exciting prospect” and recalled the filming experience as a positive one for the cast and crew.
“It’s bizarre,” Simmons told host Josh Horowitz regarding the studio’s choice to discard the movie. He emphasized that the film’s fate was not dictated by negative feedback from test audiences. Simmons noted that while the project was caught in a “business decision,” he saw parallels between the situation and the campaign for Zack Snyder’s Justice League, suggesting that fans often hold an appetite for projects that studios initially sideline.
Strategic Shifts
The shelving of Batgirl remains a significant moment in the recent history of DC-related film productions. At the time of the cancellation, Warner Bros.
Despite the finality of the studio's decision, Simmons expressed a lingering hope that the film might one day be made available to the public.