Honestly, the backstage drama related to the DCEU is often more intriguing than the films themselves. Did Zack Snyder quit, or was he pushed? How much did Warner Bros. executives meddle with Justice League? Why do they keep announcing movies that never seem to actually head into production? So many questions, so few answers.
The latest mystery is Joss Whedon’s surprise departure from Batgirl, which he was announced to be writing and directing in a blaze of publicity early last year. After his exit, the director gave the laughably rubbish excuse that he simply couldn’t think up a story for a movie, despite a sassy teenage girl Batman being pretty much the ideal Joss Whedon project.
And while many still think that there’s more to this situation than just that, Whedon maintains that it really did come down to the story. Speaking to Variety tonight at the Avengers: Infinity War premiere in Los Angeles, here’s what he shared:
“It had been a year since I first pitched the story — a lot happened in that year. I felt some of the elements might not work as well, and the story just kind of crumbled in my hands. There were elements I hadn’t mastered and after a long time felt like I wasn’t going to,” he continued. “So, I told people I didn’t have an idea, which isn’t the exact truth. I had an idea that didn’t fit in the space that was left for it. It was a little heartbreaking because I was so excited for it.”
Frankly, we still believe that a big reason why WB and Whedon split was due to the debacle that was Justice League. If the film had been a hit, then perhaps he’d have been redeemed. But with it disappointing under pretty much every imaginable metric, it would make sense for the studio to want to part ways with him.
Whatever the case may be, at least Batgirl has landed back on its feet, with writer Christina Hodson boarding the proect not too long ago. And while the search for a director is still underway, we imagine that WB will settle on someone sooner rather than later. As always, watch this space for more.