The release of behind-the-scenes footage from Warner Bros.’ canceled Batgirl film has reignited debate over the studio’s decision to shelve the $90 million project. While a few movie fans and DEI activists have loudly expressed disappointment over the loss of the Leslie Grace-led superhero movie, the leaked fight scene does little to suggest the film would have been a standout addition to the DC franchise.
The 43-second clip, shared online before being removed, features stunt performers Emely Cartagena, Scott Rogers, and Stephen Dunlevy in a fight sequence described as “raw” and unpolished. The scene includes visible harness cables and a comedic moment where Batgirl crashes through a wall into a bathroom. While some fans praised the choreography, others noted that the footage lacked the sophistication expected of even the least of recent superhero films.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to cancel Batgirl back in 2022 was met with widespread backlash, with many citing it as an example of corporate cost-cutting at the expense of creative projects. However, studio executives, including DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran, defended the move, calling the film “unreleasable” and arguing that its release would have damaged the DC brand. Safran stated at the time, “It happens sometimes. That film was not releasable… It would have hurt DC.”
Those that managed to see the clip before it was taken down mostly seem to agree:
We don’t want this.
— Ryan (@M7_Reaper) March 20, 2025
I completely understand now
— Kenrick (@_itskenrick) March 20, 2025
Looks awful. No joke, Yvonne did it better pic.twitter.com/KLcpHE99nY
— Batman Creators (@BatCreators) March 20, 2025
Exactly
What the fuck is that?
That’s lame as hell
— Joe Mish (@JoeMish3) March 20, 2025
The project was heavily touted for emphasis on diversity and inclusion, featuring an “Afro-Latina” aka “biracial” lead (Leslie Grace), a transgender actor (Ivory Aquino), and direction by Muslim filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. Insiders say that prioritizing representation over storytelling quality ultimately contributed to its downfall. The leaked footage does little to dispel this notion, as it suggests a film that struggled to rise to the standards required for theatrical or streaming success.
Over the past few years, a heavy focus on representation in Hollywood resulted in less focus on entertainment quality, and the results were ultimately disastrous. Warner Bros. Discovery seems to have learned that lesson with Batgirl. The superhero genre is already oversaturated with films vying for audience attention, and subpar entries with the wrong focus that risk alienating fans further and losing money at the box office.
The decision to cancel Batgirl may have been controversial, but based on what has been revealed thus far, it appears justified. Whoever leaked the footage may have unintentionally underscored why Warner Bros. chose not to release a movie. It’s clear that it would have failed to stand out in an already competitive market. While a few so-called “fans” desperately continue to debate whether shelving Batgirl was the right call, one thing is clear: representation alone cannot save a film that lacks a compelling protagonist, exciting storytelling, and polished execution.
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English (US) · 