For decades, Batgirl has been one of the most important characters in the Batman mythos. Whether she’s fighting alongside the Caped Crusader or dealing with crime on her own, she’s cemented herself as one of DC Comics’ most famous superheroes. Batgirl has graced various TV shows and video games, but theatrically, her only appearance so far was being played by Alicia Silverstone in Batman & Robin, and that iteration of the character was not well received. Now Batgirl is getting a second shot at the big screen through The LEGO Batman Movie, where she’ll be voiced by Rosario Dawson.
This news comes from The Hollywood Reporter, who revealed that Dawson will play Barbara Gordon, daughter of police commissioner James Gordon who later becomes Batgirl. Going off that description, it sounds like Dawson’s Barbara may start out as a civilian at the beginning of the movie before transitioning into her crimefighting career. Dawson joins a cast that already consists of Will Arnett as Batman (reprising his role from The LEGO Movie), Michael Cera as Robin and Zach Galifianakis as The Joker.
Batman is being rebooted for live action next year in for the DC Extended Universe, but aside from his trusty butler Alfred and a few members of his rogues gallery, so far there hasn’t been any word on how his supporting cast is being handled for the franchise. With rumblings of a new Batman solo movie on the way, no doubt moviegoers will see the Dark Knight’s mythology tackled in this universe eventually. However, in the meantime, The LEGO Batman Movie sounds like it will be the movie fans want to check out to not just to see Batman’s inner struggle humorously depicted, but also the whole Bat-Family explored in a fun way, which will be especially great for Batgirl. Hopefully she’ll get to show off her fighting skills and comedic chops just as much as the Dynamic Duo.
Dawson is no stranger to comic book projects, having played Gail in the Sin City movies and voiced Artemis and Wonder Woman in the animated movies Wonder Woman and Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, respectively. She can currently be seen as Claire Temple in Daredevil, a role which she’ll reprise in fellow Marvel Netflix series Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. Her resume also includes Men in Black II, Clerks II, Eagle Eye, Unstoppable and Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.
Written by Seth Grahame-Smith, directed by Chris McKay and co-produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, The LEGO Batman Movie will swing into theaters on February 10, 2017.
