Following the shocking decision to cancel HBO Max's Batgirl, the Leslie Grace-starring film is reportedly getting secret screenings at the Warner Bros. lot. Ever since the Warner Bros. Discovery merger was completed, there have been a lot of changes going on behind the scenes at the newly formed studio. With David Zaslav as the new CEO, the studio has been dealing with company layoffs and restructuring in the hopes of making Warner Bros. Discovery a financially successful powerhouse.

A big shock that Hollywood figures and fans alike did not see coming was the sudden decision to cancel the upcoming Batgirl movie that was being produced for HBO Max. Despite having wrapped principal photography in late March, Warner Bros. Discovery axed the DCEU project that was in the midst of post-production. Batgirl, which would have starred Grace as Barbara Gordon, was helmed by Ms. Marvel directors Adil El Arbi and Billal Fallah, based on a screenplay by Birds of Prey and The Flash scribe Christina Hodson. Had the HBO Max original film been released, Batgirl was set to explore the young heroine's origin story as she became the new protector of Gotham City.

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As August is reaching its end, the fate of Batgirl hasn't changed, with Warner Bros. Discovery still committed to not releasing the film on HBO Max or in theaters. However, according to THR, a few lucky individuals are allegedly getting to see the scrapped DC product this week. Per the trade, insiders are reportedly getting to see the Batgirl movie, with one source describing it as "funeral screenings." The people who will be getting to see the cut are folks who worked on Batgirl, such as the cast and members of the crew. However, this will be the first and last time before Batgirl gets locked away, never to be released in digital or physical media.

Batgirl-Leslie-Grace

So far, no one from Warner Bros. Discovery has come out to confirm or debunk the report about Batgirl's so-called funeral screenings. However, it wouldn't be shocking if screenings were taking place, at least for everyone who worked on Batgirl. By all accounts, the team who worked on Batgirl was a hard-working bunch, and they deserve the opportunity to see what they made. As the film was still in post, it likely isn't a finished cut. Still, it is far more than most will be able to see, making these screenings a bittersweet occasion. Hopefully, the Batgirl cast and crew members who attend will get some closure from this.

Understandably so, there is still a strong reaction on social media, as the Batgirl cancellation sent a shock through Hollywood. There is a chance that those who get to see Batgirl now will emerge with glowing praise for the movie, which will likely only serve to stir up more disappointment that the film isn't being released. On the other hand, the public may never truly know how Batgirl turned out. Still, there is a chance Grace could return. Not long after the studio scrapped the film, reports emerged saying Grace could star as Batgirl in a future DC movie. While the Batgirl solo film may never be shown to the public, hopefully Grace gets to don the suit in some capacity in the DCEU.

Source: THR

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