In dream come true news, we just learned that Joss Whedon was nearing a deal to write, direct and produce a solo ‘Batgirl’ movie! Um… YES PLEASE!
Whedon has done a ton of stuff, including directing the two ‘Avengers’ movies for Marvel Studios, but he may be best remembered for creating one of the biggest girl power phenomenons ever, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. His handling of kick-ass females extends to his other works as well, as River Tam turned out to be the focus of his fan favorite series ‘Firefly’ and the spin-off film ‘Serenity’ and he managed to make the un-super powered Black Widow a major part of the ‘Avengers’ franchise.
Whedon, unfortunately, walked away from the Marvel brand, although he stated that he would return to direct a solo ‘Black Widow’ movie should that ever materialize, but it looks like he might have defected to Marvel’s rival Warner Brothers. President and chief content officer of Warner Brothers Pictures Group Toby Emmerich is overseeing the current DC projects along with Jon Berg and DC’s CCO Geoff Johns. WB has had a ‘Batman’ film in development for a while now, but that seems to have come to a standstill. They are also pursuing a ‘Gotham City Sirens’ movie that would feature Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn as well as Catwoman and Poison Ivy, which has David Ayer (‘Suicide Squad’) attached to direct.
Batgirl is one of DC Comics’ most recognizable female heroes. She was created for the 1960s ‘Batman’ TV show with Yvonne Craig featured as the librarian daughter of Commissioner James Gordon (who will be played by J.K. Simmons in the movies). She was added to the comic books as well and enjoyed a lengthy career there– including being besties with Supergirl– until ‘The Killing Joke’ by Alan Moore and artist Brian Bolland, in which she was shot by The Joker and paralyzed. But after that, she became Oracle the most famous handicapped hero in comics, the computer ace of the DC Universe and a valued member of the Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey and Justice League of America. When DC rebooted their comics with The New 52, Barbara was suddenly cured of her paralysis and returned to being Batgirl.
It was rumored that Jenna Malone would be playing Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in ‘Batman V Superman’ but that turned out to be false. Not only was she not playing that character, her part (as scientist Jenet Klyburn) was cut from the movie entirely.
Obviously, we have no idea what Whedon has in mind. Will her paralysis be mentioned? Or will this be a fresh start for the character?
Guess we’ll have to wait and see. Now comes the question of casting. Hopefully we won’t see a Ben Affleck-sized uproar! (But if my opinion counts– and it doesn’t but– can I just suggest Emma Stone?!)
Source: Variety
