The shocking cancelation of Batgirl isn't the first time a promising Brendan Fraser movie didn't see release. While Fraser spent several years in the acting wilderness during the 2010s, The Mummy star is on the verge of a major comeback. Following the acclaim that greeted his work on TV shows Trust and Doom Patrol, his performance in the upcoming drama The Whale is tipped to earn him an Academy Award nomination. He also has several promising projects on the way, including Martin Scorcese's Killers Of The Flower Moon.
Sadly, one project that might never see the light of day is superhero film Batgirl. This was to be part of the DCEU and cast Leslie Grace as the titular hero, who teamed with Michael Keaton's Batman to battle Fraser's villain Firefly. In August 2022, it was announced that Warner Bros Discovery had canceled Batgirl, and were writing it off as a tax break. Sadly, this wasn't the first Fraser movie that went unfinished. In the early 2000s, he joined animated comedy Big Bug Man, playing a candy company employee who gains superpowers after being bitten by insects. Following the death of co-star Marlon Brando, the film was left unfinished.
Big Bug Man Featured Marlon Brando's Final Performance
Big Bug Man was planned as a Nickelodeon Original Movie, and its budget was a reported $20 million. The film received press coverage shortly following Brando's passing in 2004, as it featured his final performance. The legendary actor was in poor health when he voiced the role of Mrs. Sour, the owner of the Candy factory. Getting a chance to play a woman was the key reason Brando - who refused his Godfather Oscar - accepted the role, and despite needing an oxygen tank during his voice sessions, he told the filmmakers he had a great time playing the part.
Batgirl Could Still See Release (Someday)
Big Bug Man's release date was set for 2006, but it kept being pushed back. Eventually, progress reports went quiet entirely. Given that over 15 years have passed since its initial release date, it's unlikely Big Bug Man will see completion. While the filmmakers and cast behind Batgirl were understandably stunned about the production's cancelation, it stands a slightly better chance of being seen someday. In addition to abruptly canceling Batgirl - which deserves the hashtag #ReleaseTheBatgirlCut - Warner Bros Discovery also canned the animated prequel Scoob!: Holiday Haunt, but reports emerged that since that film was very near completion, the studio was considering finishing it off.
This was in case they had a change of heart down the road, and decided to release Scoob!: Holiday Haunt after all. To do so, they would have to pay back the government tax break they received. That's one option for Batgirl to see release - even if the chances of such a move are slim. Batgirl needed VFX work and editing in addition to additional photography, which would only add to its estimated $90 million budget. The more likely outcome is that it will remain on a shelf, but there's always a chance that - with the curiosity surrounding it - Batgirl could escape its current fate. Big Bug Man, unfortunately, probably won't ever see release.
