Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the brilliant minds behind the DC film Batgirl, experienced the crushing blow of having their project axed by Warner Bros. This superhero movie, which featured Leslie Grace in the titled role, held immense potential. However, the directors’ dreams were shattered when they watched The Flash earlier this year and reflected on what could have been. In an interview with Insider, Adil expressed their sadness, stating, “We love director Andy Muschietti and his sister Barbara, who produced the movie. But when we watched it, we felt we could have been part of the whole thing.”
The directors firmly believe in the power of the audience and their ability to determine the value of a film. Adil went on to say, “We didn’t get the chance to show ‘Batgirl’ to the world and let the audience judge for themselves. Because the audience really is our ultimate boss and should be the deciders of if something is good or bad, or if something should be seen or not.” It is clear that they were eager for the public to make their own judgments about their unique vision for Batgirl.
The Divergence from The Flash
While The Flash delighted audiences with its fantastical elements, Adil revealed that their version of Batgirl would have showcased a different aesthetic. The movie, which starred Ezra Miller, was described as having “a big fantasy component,” whereas Batgirl would have been more grounded and reminiscent of Tim Burton’s iconic Gotham City. The contrast between the two films added an extra layer of disappointment for the directors, as they longed for their distinct portrayal to hit the silver screen.
One of the most significant letdowns for Adil and Bilall was not being able to witness Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman in their version of Batgirl. Bilall nostalgically shared, “I felt like a kid on set working with Keaton. I totally forgot that I was directing.” The opportunity to collaborate with an acting legend like Keaton was an immense privilege and honor for the duo. However, this bittersweet feeling was accompanied by the knowledge that they would never see their vision materialize in its entirety.
A Professional Perspective
Despite the heartbreaking turn of events, Adil and Bilall harbor no ill will towards Warner Bros. In fact, they still possess a desire to create a DC film, as there is a lingering sense of unfinished business. The duo has undoubtedly learned valuable lessons from their journey with Batgirl and continues to explore opportunities to bring their unique vision to life.
A Story Left Untold
Sometimes in the realm of entertainment, promising projects face untimely demises. The unfortunate tale of Batgirl serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of the film industry. Although the film may never see the light of day, its brief existence ignited sparks of creativity and left directors yearning for what could have been. As fans, we can only lament the lost potential and hope that Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah get the chance to share their vision with the world in the future.