Joss Whedon Directing Batgirl Film for the DCEU
If you're one of those nerds who eagerly anticipated the news to break that Joss Whedon would write and direct The Flash/Supergirl crossover episode, you're probably living in a world a disappointment (like me). And while we may not be getting another new musical episode of a superhero TV series from the mastermind (see his excellent Buffy musical episode “Once More With Feeling"), it looks like Whedon is in the final stages of coming on as writer, producer, and director of a new superhero movie set in the DCEU: Batgirl.
Today, Variety reported in an exclusive piece that Whedon, who is recently known for penning and directing both of Marvel's Avengers movies, will come to the dark side of the comic-book world to produce, write, and direct the popular heroine's first standalone film in her character's history. It's still not clear what the story will be be about, but one can only guess this was a decision made early on in the DCEU's conception, which would explain the sudden inclusion of Commissioner Gordon in Justice League, which flies into theaters November 17.
For those that don't know, Batgirl, who made her comic debut in 1967, is Barbara Gordon, daughter of the Gotham City police commissioner (who will no doubt be in the film, played again by J.K. Simmons). Whilst maintaining a reputation as one of comic's most interesting and likable female superheroes, Baraba has never received her own movie, despite a plethora of Batman movies over the past two decades. While a certain person named Alicia Silverstone played a character named Barbara Gordon who called herself Batgirl in a movie called Batman & Robin, I think it's fair to say that that movie doesn't exist and this upcoming feature will be the character's first adaptation (just roll with it).
We will be scurrying the web for months (maybe years) over who will play Batgirl, but the most exciting piece of news here is that of Whedon's involvement. While some could rightfully argue that a female director would've been a better decision, it's impossible to argue against one of Hollywood's most lovable feminists and female character writers. Whedon, who created Buffy The Vampire Slayer, writes his female characters with passion and dignity which many male writers today lack, and if you know me, you know that this news is the best I've received all year, and it's refreshing to report after the news broke that Ben Affleck won't be directing The Batman.
It still isn't clear if this will be Whedon's next project though. If you followed him throughout last year's painful election season, he hinted that he was working on a WWII based film with horror elements (and by the way he hinted, it sounds like it may be about Nazi Germany in particular). He hasn't released anything regarding that project, but I would expect that to be made and released before DC is finished with Batgirl.
The DCEU started with Man of Steel in 2013, continued with Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad in 2016, and this year Wonder Woman and Justice League will be added to that roster. Upcoming releases are Aquaman, Shazam, Cyborg, Green Lantern Corps, The Flash, The Batman, Gotham City Sirens, Suicide Squad 2, Nightwing, Man of Steel 2, Dark Universe, and now, Batgirl.
