The DC live-action universe has had a fascinating run in theaters, full of peaks and valleys. While Warner Bros. is currently surfing on Aquaman's success and gearing up for the highly anticipated release of Shazam!, there was a time when thinks appeared a bit more bleak. It all started with Zack Snyder's initial installments, which did a ton world-building and introduced beloved characters like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice had a ton of hype ahead of its release, as fans were eager to see the DC trinity adapted into live-action. Expectations were sky high, as were fan theories regarding what the blockbuster might contain. One of the most popular theories was that Jena Malone was actually playing Barbara Gordon/Batgirl. Her scenes were left on the cutting room floor of the theatrical release, and now Zack Snyder has responded to those Batgirl rumors, saying:
It's hard because I talk about those things with Debbie. 'Hey so I saw this thing and they think Jena Malone is Barbara Gordon'... When people are mad I don't care because they'll find out eventually. When they're hyped and it's wrong it's harder.
Zack Snyder spent a number of years working on the DCEU, starting with Man of Steel. As such, he also spent years sidestepping certain questions, fan theories, and potential controversies. And considering the secretive nature of the superhero genre, he was unable to set the record straight when it came to Batman v Superman reports.
Zack Snyder's comments (via Twitter) come from his recent screening of Batman v Superman's director's cut. A Q&A accompanied the screening, and the director/writer was finally able to address those rumors about Jena Malone playing Batgirl. Malone's role was unnamed and mysterious until BvS arrived in theaters, so the fandom spent months debating who the Sucker Punch actress might be playing. With so many characters being introduced in the blockbuster, it didn't seem out of question that Barbara Gordon might be incorporated.
In the end, Jena Malone played Jenet Klyburn, a scientist who worked at S.T.A.R. labs, and was working to help Lois Lane track analyze the bullets from her conflict in Nairomi. It's a bit part that can be seen in the director's cut of Batman v Superman, although it got cut from the theatrical release. And to date, Batgirl still hasn't been adapted into live-action for the cinematic universe.
Batgirl was set to get a movie of her own, with Joss Whedon behind the camera. But he ultimately dropped the project after failing to lock down a story. And following the release of Justice League, it appears that Whedon has distanced himself from the DC universe as a whole.
The next DC release is Shazam! on April 5, 2019, and Zack Snyder's next project will be Army of The Dead for Netflix. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
