Warner Bros. is wasting no time moving ahead with theirBatgirlmovie.Joss Whedonleft the project just two months ago, and perTHR, the studio is already gearing up for a new version of the film withBumblebeescribeChristina Hodsonset to pen the script. The film will finally give one of DC Comics most established female heroes the headlining treatment on-screen, featuring the character’s most iconic incarnation, Barbara Gordon, daughter of Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon.
Hodson has become quite the hot commodity in recent years, after making the transition from development executive to screenwriter four years ago. Since then, she’s appeared three times on the Black List and penned a number of studio scripts including Paramount’sTransformersspinoffBumblebee, a remake ofThe Fugitivefor Warner Bros., and the 2017 thrillerUnforgettable. What’s more, Hodson is no stranger to the Batgirl character. Thestudio recruited her back in 2016to penBirds of Preyas a Harley Quinn-centricSuicide Squadspinoff.
Whedon was attached toBatgirlfor nearly a year stepped down in February. Explaining his departure,Whedon said in a statement, “Batgirl is such an exciting project, and Warners/DC such collaborative and supportive partners, that it took me months to realize I really didn’t have a story. I’m grateful to Geoff and Toby and everyone who was so welcoming when I arrived, and so understanding when I… uh, is there a sexier word for ‘failed’?”
Batgirlisn’t racing against a release date, buta recent reportsuggested that Warner Bros. was eyeing the film to be a part of the next wave of superhero movies afterWonder Woman 2, along withThe Flashand other unnamed titles. Whedon’s departure looked like it might throw a wrench in those plans, but Hodson’s quick hiring supports the idea that this one is a high priority for the studio.
