It’s been a long time since we saw Batgirl in a live-action movie, but not only is the popular DC Comics superheroine returning to the cinematic space, this time she’ll be the lead character. In the Heights’ Leslie Grace will play Barbara Gordon in the Batgirl movie, an HBO Max exclusive offering that’s been in development for several years. Well, Batgirl is finally filming, and Adil El Arbi, who’s co-directing the project with Bilall Fallah, understandably decided to celebrate the first day of production.
Following their work on Bad Boys for Life and the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are now turning their attention to the DC Extended Universe with Batgirl. Here’s how Arbi informed the masses on Instagram that cameras are officially rolling on Barbara Gordon’s first solo feature:
Taking a picture of a clapperboard is a classic way for a director to let people know that their movie is finally filming, but it’s what’s around the Batgirl clapperboard that’s especially intriguing. The “Officer Barbara Gordon” nameplate indicates that the DCEU’s version of Barbara works for the Gotham City Police Department, and evidently her area of expertise is code-breaking judging by the book on the right side. The ball of yarn right below the book also clues us in that Barbara likes to get some knitting done while at work, and because there’s garland on the left side of the picture, there’s a strong chance that like fellow DCEU movie Shazam!, Batgirl is set around Christmastime. So yeah, there’s a lot to absorb here.
As far as specific Batgirl plot details go, we’re still being kept in the dark, although one of the adversaries Barbara Gordon will clash with is the pyromaniac known as Firefly, played by The Mummy’s Brendan Fraser. Batgirl will also feature the return of J.K. Simmons as Commissioner James Gordon, Barbara’s father who had a minor role in Justice League. Batgirl has also recruited Bad Boys for Life actor Jacob Scipio, but his role hasn’t been revealed yet.
Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah were brought on to Batgirl back in May, and they’re directing off a script written by Birds of Prey’s Christina Hodson. Originally the plan was for Joss Whedon to write and direct Batgirl, but in early 2018, he departed the project because he couldn’t crack the story. Batgirl is one of three announced DC movies that will be made specifically for HBO Max, the other two being Blue Beetle and Black Canary.
Batgirl doesn’t have a specific release date yet, although it’s expected to be released sometime in 2022. We here at CinemaBlend will keep you apprised on how the production is chugging along when more details come in, as well as news concerning other upcoming DC Comics movies.
