Batgirl before the shock kapow! Leslie Grace reveals superhero look from $90M movie that was SCRAPPED amid rumors it was a ‘huge disappointment’ and the ‘costumes looked cheap’
Leslie Grace gave social media a glimpse of what appeared to be her final costume for Batgirl when she posted a 2022 highlight reel to Instagram on Monday.
The In the Heights star, 27, included numerous behind-the-scenes moments from the production of the scrapped superhero film, which was shelved by Warner Bros. last year, shocking Hollywood.
Rumors of poor test screenings emerged after the studio pulled the plug, with particular attention being paid to the costumes looking ‘cheap.’
Before the axe: Leslie Grace, 27, gave social media a glimpse of what appeared to be her final costume for Batgirl when she posted a 2022 highlight reel to Instagram on Monday
Peace out: The In the Heights star included numerous behind-the-scenes moments from the production of her scrapped superhero film, which was shelved by Warner Bros. last year, shocking Hollywood
‘Thank u for teachin’ me, 2022,’ wrote Grace, captioning her Batgirl-filled highlight reel. ‘You were singular in many ways that will stay with me. My gratitude and love for life is much deeper thanks to the experiences you brought me.’
‘I take your lessons with me as we part,’ she concluded. ‘Here’s to many more stories to tell, memories to make, and love to give in 2023.’
The heartbreaking cancellation of Batgirl came after Leslie had largely filmed her starring role as the titular superhero.
Production on the $100 million project was nearly complete when the studio scrapped its release on HBO Max, reportedly due to a combination of poor test screenings and creative accounting strategies.
What could’ve been: The actress included multiple glimpses of her purple and yellow Batgirl armor. Rumors of poor test screenings emerged after the studio pulled the plug on the film, with particular attention being paid to the costumes looking ‘cheap’
Gracious: ‘Thank u for teachin’ me, 2022,’ wrote Grace, captioning her Batgirl-filled highlight reel. ‘You were singular in many ways that will stay with me. My gratitude and love for life is much deeper thanks to the experiences you brought me’
Hard at work: Leslie shared a collection of snippets showed all of the effort that she put into the role
The filmmakers were told the decision came down to a ‘purchase accounting’ maneuver available to Warner Bros. because the studio had changed hands earlier in 2022.
It allowed the newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery to not have to carry its losses forward as it tries to pare down its $3 billion in debt, according to Deadline.
The central storyline would have revolved around Grace’s Batgirl as she battled Brendan Fraser’s villain called Firefly – a man who turns to a life of crime after he is fired from his job, loses his health insurance and can no longer care for his sick wife.
But according to those who have seen the scrapped flick, it was a ‘huge disappointment’ with subpar costumes.
Collider Editor-In-Chief Steven Weintraub tweeted: ‘Spoke to people that saw #Batgirl, and they said it was a huge disappointment. Also that the costumes looked cheap.’
Heartbreaker: The heartbreaking cancellation of Batgirl came after Leslie had largely filmed her starring role as the titular superhero
Friendly superhero: The star clearly enjoyed her time on set and made friends with the cast and crew
Even though the result was perhaps less than stellar, Leslie’s Instagram post highlighted all of the effort that she and the crew put into making the shelved film.
Multiple snippets of the actress doing stunt work filled her reel and she is frequently glimpsed in her costume of purple and yellow armor that is slightly different from promotional images.
‘It’s tragic,’ declared Brendan Fraser, speaking to Variety about the film’s shocking cancellation. ‘It doesn’t engender trust among filmmakers and the studio.’
‘Leslie Grace was fantastic,’ he lamented. ‘She’s a dynamo — just a spot-on performer.’
A huge disappointment: According to those who have seen the scrapped flick, it was a ‘huge disappointment’ with subpar costumes. Collider Editor-In-Chief Steven Weintraub tweeted, ‘Spoke to people that saw #Batgirl, and they said it was a huge disappointment. Also that the costumes looked cheap’