Leaked Batgirl Footage Confirms Warner Bros. Made the Right Call – Here’s Why!

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As a devoted fan, I’ve found myself rekindling discussions about Warner Bros.’ decision to halt production on the $90 million Batgirl film, following the release of behind-the-scenes footage. Though some cinema enthusiasts and advocates for diversity in entertainment have voiced their dismay over the scrapped Leslie Grace-starring superhero movie, the leaked fight sequence doesn’t seem to indicate that it would have been a spectacular addition to the DC Universe.

A brief video (43 seconds), initially posted online but later taken down, showcases stunt artists Emely Cartagena, Scott Rogers, and Stephen Dunlevy engaged in a gritty fight scene. The video contains unfinished elements such as visible safety harnesses and an amusing instance where Batgirl smashes through a wall into a restroom. Although some spectators applauded the choreography, others felt the production quality didn’t meet the high standards of even the most basic modern superhero movies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD44WwYjB3I

In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery’s choice to scrap the production of Batgirl sparked a lot of criticism, as people saw it as an instance of cost-cutting measures being prioritized over creative endeavors. Nevertheless, studio officials, including DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran, justified their decision, labeling the movie “unsuitable for release” and claiming that its premiere would have harmed the DC brand. At the time, Safran explained, “Sometimes it just doesn’t work out… That film was not suitable for release; it would have negatively impacted DC.

Those that managed to see the clip before it was taken down mostly seem to agree:

We don’t want this.

— Ryan (@M7_Reaper) March 20, 2025

I completely understand now

— Kenrick (@_itskenrick) March 20, 2025

Looks awful. No joke, Yvonne did it better

— Batman Creators (@BatCreators) March 20, 2025

Exactly
What the fuck is that?
That’s lame as hell

— Joe Mish (@JoeMish3) March 20, 2025

This project was widely publicized for its strong focus on diversity and inclusivity, starring a lead actress who is both Afro-Latina and biracial (Leslie Grace), an actor who identifies as transgender (Ivory Aquino), and directors who are Muslim (Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah). According to industry sources, the emphasis on representation over the quality of storytelling may have led to its failure. The leaked footage doesn’t seem to challenge this perception, hinting at a film that might not have reached the level of quality necessary for either cinematic or streaming release success.

Over the last several years, there’s been a strong emphasis in Hollywood on representation, which unfortunately led to a decrease in the prioritization of entertainment value. The outcome was generally unfavorable. Warner Bros. Discovery appears to have grasped this concept with the film Batgirl. In the superhero genre, competition for audience interest is fierce, and below-par productions that miss the mark risk driving fans away even more and resulting in financial losses at the box office.

As a fan, I must admit that the choice to scrap the release of Batgirl seemed questionable at first glance. However, given the insights that have been disclosed thus far, it seems like a well-considered decision. The person who leaked the footage inadvertently highlighted why Warner Bros. opted against releasing this movie. It’s evident that in today’s competitive film market, Batgirl might not have managed to make an impactful impression.

Despite ongoing discussions among self-proclaimed fans about whether or not pulling the film was the correct move, one point remains crystal clear: a diverse cast alone cannot salvage a movie that lacks a captivating lead character, engaging narrative, and top-notch production quality.

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2025-03-23 23:00