Written by Joy Lyn Parohinog Francisco
Fans rooting for DC Films’ Batgirl may just have a glimmer of hope in seeing the film after all. As it turns out, Warner Bros. Discovery can still reverse its decision on deeming the project as a tax write off. That is, if they want to. The question is: do they?
Screen Rant explained the possibility and cited other instances where similar projects faced the same fate years ago. Batgirl isn’t the only movie that a production company, let alone Warner Bros. Discovery, canceled in favor of a tax write off.
WBD CEO David Zaslav made the decision in favor of saving on expenditures rather than taking a risk in potential income.
Nevertheless, this had hurtful ramifications to the company’s standing. If their stock is any indication, people are losing their confidence that Warner Bros. Discovery has the prowess to keep DC Films afloat.
DC Films’ Batgirl Can Still Be Released
Image: DC Comics
General theater goers or online streamers of movies see that WBD is trying to salvage what they can with DC Films. True, the franchise has so much potential. It’s the only IP umbrella that can rival Marvel. There is no question in that.
A common conception among fans perceive that the old administration did not have much faith with their property. They failed the DC Trinity of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. That, in itself, is quite a record. Now the new administration is paying the price. And the price tag is very expensive.
However, despite the seemingly definitive decision of Warner Bros. Discovery with regard to Batgirl, there may still be a way. In effect, the decision makes it illegal for WBD to release the movie at all. But, as anyone would say in Hollywood: Never say never. The possibility for audiences to see Batgirl is still there. However, it could be in some other form than a full-fledged movie.
Reversing the decision to use Batgirl as a tax write-off will mean a few more contracts and attorney meetings as well as funding that will cross tables. Since Batgirl has not fully completed its post-production, it still does not have a final cut.
DC Films’ Batgirl Can Still Be Released
Particularly, Batgirl‘s situation may actually be similar to what Scoob!: Holiday Haunt is going through. The animated movie, despite the company identifying it as a tax write off as well, is still up for completion. Even though the company has already stated that they won’t release the movie, they still mean to complete it in case they think differently some time in the future.
Should they release Scoob!: Holiday Haunt, they will have to pay the IRS back for the write off. Thus, this is one of the ways in which Batgirl can still see the light of day. In the end, Batgirl doesn’t fit the future plans for DC Films. Could we expect some leaked footage from the production?
Maybe or maybe not. Could production still use some scenes and convert the Batgirl into a series for streaming instead of a movie? There may be legal implications because they will then use the material to gain profit. But then, it still depends on top management decisions.
Should that proceed, Batgirl will be outside of DCEU continuity. In other words, it’ll be like CW DC TV show. Somehow, that seems appropriate.