After nearly a year of developing Warner Bros. big-screen Batgirl, Joss Whedon has dropped out of writing and directing the DC Comics spin-off.
‘Batgirl is such an exciting project, and Warners/DC such collaborative and supportive partners, that it took me months to realize I really didn’t have a story,’ the 53-year-old Oscar nominee admitted in a THR statement.
‘I’m grateful to [DC president Geoff Johns and Warner Bros. Picture Group president Toby Emmerich] and everyone who was so welcoming when I arrived, and so understanding when I…uh, is there a sexier word for “failed?”‘
Nevermind! After nearly a year of developing Warner Bros. big-screen Batgirl, Joss Whedon has dropped out of writing and directing the DC Comics spin-off
The 53-year-old Oscar nominee admitted in a THR statement: ‘Batgirl is such an exciting project, and Warners/DC such collaborative and supportive partners, that it took me months to realize I really didn’t have a story’
The fictional feminist flick will center on the superhero sidekick’s most popular incarnation as Barbara Gordon, the niece of Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon.
When Alicia Silverstone played Batgirl in Joel Schumacher’s universally-panned 1997 flick Batman & Robin, she was Barbara Wilson the orphaned niece of Alfred Pennyworth the butler.
Joss (born Joseph) carved out his filmmaking career crafting strong female characters in projects like Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse, and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Delayed! The fictional feminist flick will center on the superhero sidekick’s most popular incarnation as Barbara Gordon, the niece of Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon
Universally-panned: When Alicia Silverstone (L) played Batgirl in Joel Schumacher’s 1997 flick Batman & Robin, she was Barbara Wilson the orphaned niece of Alfred Pennyworth the butler
Back in 2006, Whedon exited Wonder Woman under similar circumstances and his resulting script was blasted as ‘sexist,’ ‘cringey,’ and ‘terrible’ when it leaked last May.
The Emmy winner’s reputation took another major hit last November when his estranged wife Kai Cole called him a ‘hypocrite’ and ‘repeated cheater’ in The Wrap following 16 years of marriage and two children.
In the midst of the #MeToo Movement, perhaps a female filmmaker would be the best bet, but The Neon Demon’s Nicolas Winding Refn did offer to helm Batgirl back in 2016.
Directing Scarlett Johansson: Joss (born Joseph) carved out his filmmaking career crafting strong female characters in projects like Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse, and Avengers: Age of Ultron (pictured in 2015)
Déjà vu? Back in 2006, Whedon exited Wonder Woman under similar circumstances and his resulting script was blasted as ‘sexist,’ ‘cringey,’ and ‘terrible’ when it leaked last May
Ouch: The Emmy winner’s reputation took another major hit last November when his estranged wife Kai Cole (L) called him a ‘hypocrite’ and ‘repeated cheater’ in The Wrap following 16 years of marriage and two children (pictured 2010)
‘You know the one I want to do? I want to make Batgirl. Let’s get Warner working on it,’ the Danish 47-year-old told Business Insider at the time.
‘I very much enjoy my freedom creatively, but I also would love to make one of those big Hollywood films that costs a lot of money and has a lot of people running around with cell phones and all that insanity.’
‘I want to make Batgirl!’ In the midst of the #MeToo Movement, perhaps a female filmmaker would be the best bet, but The Neon Demon’s Nicolas Winding Refn (R) did offer to helm Batgirl back in 2016