Following the shocking news of Batgirl‘s cancellation yesterday, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have issued statements on the film not being released.
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Taking to Instagram, the duo posted a lengthy statement in which they expressed that they were “saddened and shocked” by the sudden news, and couldn’t believe that the film — which many reports seem to suggest was fully completed — would not be coming out.
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“We are saddened and shocked by the news,” reads the statement. “We still can’t believe it. As directors, it is critical that our work be shown to audiences, and while the film was far from finished, we wish that fans all over the world would have had the opportunity to see and embrace the final film themselves. Maybe one day they will insha’Allah.”
The statement went on to praise the crew behind the film, and the cast of the feature, including Michael Keaton, JK Simmons, Brendan Fraser, and many more.
“Our amazing cast and crew did a tremendous job and worked so hard to bring Batgirl to life. We are forever grateful to have been part of that team. It was a dream to work with such fantastic actors like Michael Keaton, JK Simmons, Brendan Fraser, Jacob Scipio, Corey Johnson, Rebecca Front, and especially the great Leslie Grace, who portrayed Batgirl with so much passion, dedication, and humanity. In any case, as huge fans of Batman since we were little kids, it was a privilege and an honor to have been a part of the DCEU, even if it was for a brief moment. Batgirl for life.”
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Batgirl was set to star Leslie Grace (In the Heights) in the role of Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon. The hero was first seen in the 1967 Batman series with the late Yvonne Craig playing Barbara. Her first comic book appearance was in Detective Comics #357 by writer Gardner Fox and artist Carmine Infantino.
