It could be years before Batgirl hits theaters, and that’s not okay
The loss of its director could prolong the making of Batgirl, unless the DCEU makes the project a higher priority. And it should.
DC fans looking forward to a Batgirl film have had a disappointing month. Last week, Joss Whedon announced that he no longer plans to direct the project. He attributed his departure to his failure to come up with a good story, leaving fans mixed on whether or not they support his decision.
Since news of his exit from the DCEU hit the internet, there’s been much speculation surrounding his replacement. Fans and reporters have suggested that a female director would be better suited to this assignment. After all, we don’t see enough blockbusters directed by women.
And who is better equipped to write about a woman’s experiences than a woman director?
Sadly, it appears that the DCEU is in no rush to fill the newly open role. They’re currently more focused on the major Justice League installments, such as Aquaman and The Flash. The initial focus being on the larger characters make sense, but we’d still like to see characters like Barbara Gordon brought to life.
And while we knew we’d be waiting for a Batgirl movie, the director issue makes it seems as though the film’s release is even further out of reach. Without anyone actively working on the project, it could be years before we see any progress.
The DCEU needs to make Batgirl a priority.
It’s a shame that the DCEU may let Batgirl fall to the wayside, as the film had the potential to be many things. For one, it’s an addition to the Bat Family universe that doesn’t involve yet another Batman retelling. Fans are eager to explore the other characters from the Batman comics, and this would have been the perfect place to start.
It could even have segued into that Nightwing film we’re all anticipating.
With Batgirl, DC also had the chance to bring another female superhero to the big screen. After the success surrounding Wonder Woman, it seems obvious that there’s a market for it. In fact, you could even say that there’s a gaping hole in the market, one fans desperately want to see filled.
On-screen representation matters, and the efforts to implement it into superhero films have shown positive results. Wonder Woman isn’t the only proof of this. Marvel’s Black Panther is still dominating the box office following its second week in theaters.
Kids and adults want to see themselves in the characters they root for. And if those characters happen to be badass heroes saving the world? Well, that’s even better.
By leaving Batgirl in limbo, the DCEU would be passing up on a major opportunity to appeal to its female fan base. At least if they choose a director, they can begin planning for the film. And the sooner they get this potential blockbuster going, the sooner they can reap the benefits from it.