Joe Russo is not happy with decision of cancellation ‘Batgirl’
In August, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that it would cancel Batgirl, a Leslie Grace-led superhero picture. The studio was slammed for the choice in the days and weeks that followed. Marvel filmmaker Joe Russo joined Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser in condemning the cancellation.
After Warner Brothers and Discovery merged, new CEO David Zaslav shelved Batgirl, and Russo was vocal about his disapproval. The director told Variety that cancelling the project was “murder” and expressed concern for other creators. “It’s rare that I can think of something that high profile, that expensive, that was murdered in such a way, It’s sad, but we’re at a time in the business where corporate sociopathy is going to rear its head because people are scared.”
Warner Bros. Discovery abruptly cancelled Batgirl, claiming cost-cutting measures. The industry slammed the $90M film. The film was a major DC Universe project that would have introduced a new character to the roster of eponymous heroes. Many would claim that the criticism was justified. Batman would have returned as well.
Zaslav appointed James Gunn and Peter Safran to run DC Films after weeks of exploring to recreate the DC Universe. In the weeks after Batgirl’s cancellation, many studio projects were pinched, but Zaslav said, “We did not get rid of any show that was helping us,” during an investor’s call.
Westworld is the latest Warner Bros. Discovery reimagination project to be axed. Despite four seasons, seven Emmy awards, and many nominations, the show was cancelled after four seasons. The studio launched Black Adam, starring Dwayne Johnson, alongside all this shift.