Why Warner Bros. Discovery Shelved a Nearly Complete $90 Million Superhero Film

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In August 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery stunned Hollywood by cancelling the release of Batgirl, a nearly finished superhero film. Despite a $90 million budget and a cast featuring Michael Keaton, the studio opted to write the project off for tax purposes rather than bring it to theaters or streaming.

The cancellation of Batgirl was an unprecedented move for a major studio. Initially conceived as an HBO Max original, the film was directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah and starred Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon. By the time production wrapped in March 2022, the project had already cost $90 million, up from an initial $70 million budget. However, following the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc., the new leadership under CEO David Zaslav shifted strategy, mandating that DC films should be 'big theatrical event films' rather than streaming-exclusive content.

Internal reports on the film's quality were conflicting. Some sources claimed test screenings were negative, with the unfinished visual effects leading to a perception that the film looked cheap. Conversely, other industry outlets reported that the decision was purely financial. By shelving the film, Warner Bros. Discovery utilized a purchase accounting maneuver to claim a tax write-off, which analysts estimated allowed the studio to recoup roughly $25 million of its investment. This strategy was part of a broader $2 billion series of write-offs across the company's content library.

The decision sparked significant backlash from industry professionals and lawmakers. Critics argued that the move harmed the representation of Black Latinas in Hollywood and questioned the studio's commitment to its talent. While DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran later defended the choice, claiming the film was 'not releasable' and would have damaged the brand, the controversy prompted U.S. lawmakers to ask the Department of Justice to investigate the merger's impact on competition. Despite the cancellation, the studio expressed interest in future collaborations with the film's directors and star, and executives have suggested that the character of Batgirl will eventually appear in the DC Universe.

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