The DC Extended Universe's Batgirl movie could be released on HBO Max. It's been more than seven years since the DCEU launched with Man of Steel, but Warner Bros. and DC Films have only recently begun to chart a plan for the future. Although COVID-19 caused some changes to the schedule, the DCEU has five live-action movies with release dates in the works and dozens more in various development stages. The universe finally moved forward again with the recent release of Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max.
One of the many titles that WB and DC are developing is a live-action Batgirl. Barbara Gordon was at one time expected to make an appearance in Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), but that didn't happen. Instead, the film's writer Christina Hodson was later hired to write Batgirl's script. Joss Whedon was previously engaged to direct the movie, but he is no longer involved with the project, leading to reports that DC would prioritize finding a female director.
While Batgirl does not yet have a director attached, it appears the film could become an HBO Max original. NY Times recently spoke to Walter Hamada about the future of the DCEU. The piece mentioned plans to release multiple DC movies straight to WarnerMedia's streaming service. One of the titles listed as a possibility for HBO Max release is Batgirl. It is unclear if Hamada specifically mentioned Batgirl as a likely title heading to streaming or if this is speculation on the part of NY Times.
DC has yet to make a film exclusively for HBO Max, but the streaming service is already becoming a big part of the immediate future. In addition to Wonder Woman 1984, releasing simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max, the current plan is for James Gunn's The Suicide Squad to do the same next August. There is also the upcoming release of Zack Snyder's Justice League mini-series, and multiple other shows are in development as HBO Max originals.
If Batgirl is envisioned as one of the first DCEU HBO Max original movies, then hopefully, that means that the project will take some significant steps forward soon. There have been several rumors about what the film could be about, with some suggesting it will tie directly into Matt Reeves' The Batman and others stating that Michael Keaton's Batman could appear after The Flash. With no director or star officially attached, there is a lot of work left to do on Batgirl before its release, potentially on HBO Max exclusively.
Source: NY Times
