New DC boss defends not releasing Batgirl movie

"That film was not releasable."

By Justin Harp

31 Jan 2023

Warner Bros.

New DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran has defended Warner Bros for not releasing the Batgirl movie.

Safran had not taken the top DC job alongside James Gunn when it when it was announced that Warner Bros was shelving the Leslie Grace-starring Batgirl movie for HBO Max.

At the time, Warner Bros' new corporate bosses at Discovery had decided it was better to shelve the movie for tax reasons, meaning it could not be released in the future.

Now that Safran and Gunn have unveiled the multi-platform slate for the new DC, they are also addressing their predecessors' controversial decision to axe such a huge project.

"Batgirl's a character that inevitably we will include in our story," Safran told Variety. "On the Batgirl front, it's not about late in the process of the film getting canceled.

"I saw the movie, and there are a lot of incredibly talented people in front of and behind the camera on that film. But that film was not releasable, and it happens sometimes."

He added: "That film was not releasable. I actually think that [Warner Bros Discovery CEO David] Zaslav and the team made a very bold and courageous decision to cancel it because it would have hurt DC. It would have hurt those people involved."

Safran also said that he would "love to be in business" with Batgirl directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, even if he had issues with their previous project.

peter safran attends a special screening of the suicide squad at leicester square on july 28, 2021 in london, england

Getty Images

"It would not have been able to compete in the theatrical marketplace; it was built for the small screen," he said.

"So, again, I think it was not an easy decision, but they made the right decision by shelving it."

Gunn and Safran have announced their own reboot of the Bat-family in The Brave and the Bold, which is set to integrate Damian Wayne as Robin, the Boy Wonder, along with other Gotham City characters.

The Batman is available to buy now on 4K Blu-ray, standard Blu-ray and DVD.