On Tuesday, rumors stated that Warner Bros would be shelving its Batgirl movie, although filming had almost finished. This was shocking news for the live-action DC multiverse. The studio decided to develop bigger blockbuster movies for theatres rather than ones for the HBO Max streaming service as a result of adjustments to DC’s expanded film slate (which Batgirl was previously planned to debut on). Following the unexpected cancellation of Batgirl, some are already speculating about the fate of other rumored or confirmed DC projects, including Black Canary, another planned HBO Max-exclusive movie based in Batgirl’s corner of the DC universe.
Batgirl Cancellation Raises Concerns About Future DC Films
Black Canary, a spin-off from the events of 2020’s Birds of Prey, was first revealed to be in development in August of last year. Jurnee Smollett would reprise her superhero role, while Misha Green would pen the script. Rumours from late last year suggested that the movie will aid in the development of Black Canary’s story, perhaps referring to the close bond that the two characters had as the original members of the Birds of Prey. Black Canary was also mentioned in pictures taken on Batgirl’s set earlier this year, specifically in the form of several in-universe posters for her musical performances.
Considering that Smollett’s Dinah Lance is already well-known to viewers thanks to her role in Birds of Prey, it would be possible for Black Canary’s story to develop without those references in Batgirl. But unless the movie is produced as a larger-scale blockbuster from the start, the broader change Warner Bros. Discovery appears to be making with its DC slate raises the question of whether or not Black Canary could eventually receive the axe as well.
Another speculative option, though one that is by no means guaranteed, is that the Black Canary storyline might be reworked into a TV show. Black Canary fans had already demanded an HBO or HBO Max-exclusive series for the character before the movie was first announced. It wouldn’t be unusual to release the project in that format eventually, but again, it would all depend on whether or not DC wants to continue telling that story.
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