Brendan Fraser Speaks Out Against Batgirl's Cancellation by WB

Brendan Fraser Critiques Warner Bros. Discovery on Batgirl

Brendan Fraser, known for his role in The Mummy, has openly shared his thoughts about Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to scrap the Batgirl film, commenting on the broader implications for Hollywood.

The cancellation of Batgirl, which had already completed principal photography, came as a shock to both fans and filmmakers alike. Reports labeled the film as "unreleasable," leaving many in disbelief, especially considering previous releases like Black Adam and The Flash.

Economic Decisions in Hollywood

Rumors suggest that the cancellation was driven by financial motives, specifically David Zaslav's desire to save money through a tax write-off instead of releasing a film on streaming platforms. Peter Safran, co-CEO of DC Studios, backed this decision, calling it a "bold and courageous choice" that ultimately protected the DC brand.

Initially, Batgirl featured a lineup that included Michael Keaton returning as Batman and In the Heights star Leslie Grace portraying Barbara Gordon. Fraser was set to take on the role of the villainous Firefly.

Fraser's Concerns on Industry Direction

In an interview with the Associated Press, Fraser expressed his disappointment about Batgirl being shelved. He emphasized the impact on representation, saying:

“There’s a generation of little girls who don’t have a heroine to look up to.”

Fraser pointed out that the movie industry is increasingly treating content as a commodity, hinting at a troubling trend where it may be more beneficial for studios to destroy projects for insurance payouts rather than risk their release.

Batgirl was intended to set the stage for a larger narrative, including potential future projects like Batman Beyond, but with the reboot of the franchise to the DCU, fans are left questioning the future direction of the series and the search for new portrayals of beloved characters.

As discussions continue around the decision to scrap Batgirl, the industry grapples with the balance between financial viability and creative storytelling.

Do you agree with Fraser's assessment? Did Warner Bros. make the right call?

Source: ComicBookMovie