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The Five Projects: Unmasking The Future Of The 'Female Batman Movie' After Batgirl’s Cancellation

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The concept of a female-led film within the Batman universe is no longer a distant possibility—it is a complex reality shaped by high-stakes cancellations, spin-off rumors, and major casting speculation. As of December 20, 2025, the landscape of Gotham’s cinematic future is defined not by a single "female Batman movie," but by a series of interconnected projects, each with its own uncertain fate under the new DC Studios leadership. This deep dive uncovers the most current details on the canceled *Batgirl* film, the highly anticipated *Black Canary* project, and the major female character who may be joining Robert Pattinson in Matt Reeves’ *The Batman Part II*.

The journey toward a definitive female caped crusader on the big screen has been a rollercoaster, moving from the excitement of a completed *Batgirl* movie to its unprecedented shelving, and now to persistent rumors of new characters taking center stage. Fans are eagerly tracking every update from the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) transition to James Gunn's new DCU and the separate, grounded world of *The Batman*. The demand for a powerful, female-led Gotham story remains strong, driving studio interest in characters ranging from Barbara Gordon to Dinah Lance and even new interpretations of classic Batman villains.

The Canceled Dream: Leslie Grace's Batgirl and the Shocking Tax Write-Off

The closest the DC universe came to a dedicated "female Batman movie" was the *Batgirl* film, starring Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon. This project, directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, was not only fully shot but also featured Michael Keaton reprising his iconic role as Batman, suggesting a major role for the character in the wider DC universe.

  • Character Focus: Barbara Gordon / Batgirl
  • Star: Leslie Grace
  • Status (Current): Officially unreleased and shelved as a tax write-off.
  • Last Update: As of mid-2024, the film's status as a tax write-off means it is highly unlikely to ever see the light of day.

The decision by Warner Bros. Discovery to cancel the film in August 2022, despite being nearly complete, sent shockwaves through the industry. This move was a strategic financial decision, allowing the company to claim a tax deduction, effectively erasing the $90 million production cost.

While the film itself is shelved, the directors, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, have reportedly met with James Gunn to discuss future work within the new DCU, suggesting that the talent associated with the project may yet contribute to a new era of DC films.

The Next Generation: Female Characters Poised for Stardom

With Batgirl off the table, the focus shifts to other powerful female entities within the Batman and broader DC mythology who are either confirmed for projects or heavily rumored to be taking on major roles. These characters represent the true potential for a future "female Batman movie" or a powerful, female-led Gotham-adjacent film.

Black Canary: The *Birds of Prey* Spin-off

One of the most concrete projects to emerge from the *Birds of Prey* film is a spin-off centered on Dinah Lance, the Black Canary. Jurnee Smollett, who played the character in the 2020 film, is set to reprise the role.

  • Character Focus: Dinah Lance / Black Canary
  • Star: Jurnee Smollett
  • Status (Current): Announced as a feature film for HBO Max, though its current status under the new DCU leadership is uncertain.

The *Black Canary* project, if it moves forward, would firmly establish a female-led action franchise outside of the core Batman figure, focusing on Dinah Lance's sonic scream and martial arts prowess. This film represents a continuation of the *Birds of Prey* storyline, which was itself a powerful, female-focused team-up film. The recent reports of a *Birds of Prey* sequel in development—potentially without Harley Quinn—further underscore the studio's interest in the other members of the team, particularly Black Canary.

Gilda Dent/Female Villain in *The Batman Part II*

The most recent and significant rumor for a major female role in a current Batman film centers on Matt Reeves' highly anticipated sequel, *The Batman Part II* (delayed to late 2025). Reports from mid-2024 indicate that A-list actress Scarlett Johansson is in final talks to join the cast in an undisclosed role.

  • Character Focus: Rumored to be Gilda Dent, or a major female villain.
  • Star: Scarlett Johansson (Reportedly in talks)
  • Project: *The Batman Part II* (Part of the "Elseworlds" slate)

The strongest rumor suggests Johansson could be playing Gilda Dent, the wife of Harvey Dent (Two-Face). In some comic storylines, Gilda plays a crucial role in the origins of Two-Face and has a complex, often tragic, narrative arc that would fit the grounded, noir-style of Matt Reeves' universe. Other speculation includes major female villains like Lady Arkham or a new interpretation of a classic rogue. The inclusion of a major female star in a significant role signals that the *The Batman* universe is committed to complex, powerful female characters, even if they aren't the primary hero.

Batwoman (Kate Kane): The DCU's Potential Caped Crusader

While no official announcement has been made, the character of Batwoman (Kate Kane) is the most likely candidate to fill the "female Batman" void in the new, unified DCU under James Gunn and Peter Safran. Kate Kane is Bruce Wayne's cousin and a prominent member of the Bat-Family, known for her military training, distinctive red-and-black suit, and openly lesbian identity.

The DCU's Chapter One slate, "Gods and Monsters," is expected to feature a more comprehensive Bat-Family, and fans are hopeful that Batwoman will be included, possibly in a standalone project or as a major supporting character in a film like *The Brave and the Bold*. Her inclusion would allow DC to explore the "female Batman" concept without undermining Bruce Wayne's role.

Beyond Gotham: The Future of Female-Led DC Films

The current DC landscape shows a clear, albeit fragmented, commitment to female-led superhero stories, even after the Batgirl debacle. The strategy appears to be diversifying the female heroes beyond the core Bat-Family, while simultaneously integrating powerful women into the established Gotham narrative.

The DCU's Broader Female Focus

James Gunn's DCU is set to feature a number of female-centric projects, most notably the *Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow* film, based on the critically acclaimed comic series. This project, which focuses on Kara Zor-El's journey, demonstrates a willingness to invest in major female characters outside of the Batman sphere. The success of *Supergirl* and other female-led projects will directly influence the likelihood of a future "female Batman" film, whether it's Batwoman, a new Batgirl, or a different character entirely.

Topical Authority: Other Key Female Entities in the Batman Mythos

Beyond the primary candidates, the DC universe is rich with female characters who could headline a film and maintain the dark, gritty tone of a "female Batman movie." These entities are constantly being discussed for future roles:

  • Talia al Ghul: The daughter of Ra's al Ghul and a major love interest and villain for Batman. Her story often involves global stakes and the League of Assassins.
  • The Phantasm (Andrea Beaumont): A character made famous by *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm*. She is a tragic anti-hero whose story is deeply intertwined with Bruce Wayne's past, making for a perfect noir-thriller.
  • Sasha Bordeaux: A former bodyguard for Bruce Wayne who eventually becomes a member of the espionage organization Checkmate and a Bat-Family ally.
  • Catwoman (Selina Kyle): Already a major part of *The Batman* universe, a spin-off focused on her criminal underworld and anti-hero journey remains a strong possibility.

The path to a definitive "female Batman movie" is currently a mosaic of high-profile rumors and canceled projects. While Leslie Grace's Batgirl remains a painful memory for fans, the potential for Jurnee Smollett's *Black Canary* and the rumored inclusion of a major female lead like Scarlett Johansson in *The Batman Part II* show that the female-led future of Gotham is still very much alive, just in different, more complex forms. The true question is not *if* a female-led Gotham film will happen, but *which* character will finally get to wear the cowl.

The Five Projects: Unmasking the Future of the 'Female Batman Movie' After Batgirl’s Cancellation
female batman movie
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