BATGIRL RECAST
Fancasting the Batgirl reboot. The Batgirl Recast Begins...
Now that Warner Bros has officially cancelled the Batgirl film starring Leslie Grace as the titular character, we can once again kick around our own ideas for the perfect Batgirl movie. This includes casting. There were some great actors in the lineup of the shelved superhero movie, but since we’re starting fresh, maybe we can do even better.
ben affleck & j.k. Simmons
If the Batgirl reboot is to be set in the established DCEU, and I hope it would be, it’d make sense to let Ben Affleck and J.K. Simmons continue portraying their characters. Of course, Affleck is both Batman and Bruce Wayne in this universe. As much “Af-flack” as he’s received, he still absolutely looks the part, and I feel still has more to give as the character. Meanwhile, nobody complained about Simmons’ performance as Gordon. He too has a lot more Gordon to give. Bring them both back.
JULIA GARNER AS BATGIRL / BARBARA GORDON
While Leslie Grace may have the ability to pull the lead role off, I have never seen her in anything to judge her talent. I have seen one particular actress though that really would own the part, and could easily personify the iconic redheaded Bat-family member. Julia Garner would be a fan-pleaser of a choice to tackle the role of Barbara Gordon / Batgirl. Based on her multi-award-winning method acting performance on Ozark, she has the chops necessary. Does she have the look? Most certainly. She’s even gone red before, as seen above. At 28 she’s just one year older than Leslie Grace, and has the facility to portray much younger characters. She’s a rising star, and by the time this movie happens, her box office pull might be a huge factor as well.
Aiden gallagher as tim Drake / Robin
Kids grow up so fast that it’s difficult to cast them in roles that require them to stay young for the sequel, like Robin or a live-action Bart Simpson. Aiden Gallagher does such a fine job portraying the time traveling hero Number Five on the Umbrella Academy that I’m inclined to believe he’d make a great Boy Wonder too. He does look the part. He is already an adult though, but he appears to be one of those actors who will look younger than he is for awhile anyway. If Tim Drake was to be brought into the DCEU, I think fans would be ecstatic if Gallagher were cast.
Jon hamm as Harvey dent / two-face
Like many Bat-fans, I often look at Batman: the Animated Series as the gold standard for all things Batman. Batgirl’s origin on the show was a two-part episode that was interesting enough to translate into film, even if done loosely. That two-parter was titled Shadow of the Bat. Two-Face was the primary antagonist of that story, and the iconic villain is about due for his debut DCEU appearance. Someone with a imposing and authoritative presence is crucial for this part. Jon Hamm has both of these characteristics, plus the look and charisma to pull off Harvey Dent and Two-Face.
Jonathan groff as gil mason
Gil Mason is a cocky “two-faced” police officer who secretly worked for Two-Face in the aforementioned Batgirl origin two-parter. Spoiler alert: he dated Barbara Gordon and simultaneously helped frame her father Commissioner Gordon for taking bribes from the mob. The character of Gil Colson from the blockbuster movie the Batman appears to be based on this corrupt official. Jonathan Groff, showing off his talent throughout the hit series Mindhunter, has the look and charm necessary to portray Mason.
Holt McCallany as Garfield Lynns / Firefly
The other lead actor from Mindhunter would be a welcome addition to this cast as well. Holt McCallany did have a bit part as an unnamed burglar at the beginning of the DCEU’s Justice League. That burglar could very well end up being the pyromaniacal arsonist Firefly. It would be very easy to connect the dots: witnessing the flying Parademon inspired him to become a winged villain himself.
Brendan Fraser was originally cast as Firefly in the cancelled Batgirl film, but he already portrays a man in a metal suit in DC Universe. I like Fraser, but Holt looks more the part, and the aforementioned Justice League scene would make for some good connective tissue. Firefly would make for an interesting side villain; possibly hired help Two-Face or Gil Mason pay off to heat things up for the heroes.
chase crawford as dick grayson / nightwing
Chase Crawford is best known for playing a scumbag of a hero, the Deep, in the acclaimed series the Boys. That doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of playing a wholesome and loveable hero though. He does look the part of Dick Grayson and has the skill to pull it off. Dick did appear in that two-part Batgirl origin episode of the Animated Series as well. Adding him to the movie could make for interesting love triangle between he, “Babs”, and Gil.
Batman v Superman implied that Dick’s time as Robin had already come and passed, so if he were included, he’d almost have to be Nightwing by now. Director Zack Snyder once cited that Dick Grayson, unlike the source material, was the Robin he envisioned being killed by the Joker. His response to that question does not have to be canon to what the films do going forward though. Inserting Jason Todd‘s name as the dead Robin wouldn’t be difficult.
That's all for now
If Batgirl is ever going to be given a second chance to shine on the big screen or stream on your big screen TV is uncertain at this point. This list would make a for a fine main cast to what I envision for a great Batgirl tale. Hopefully this or something adjacent to it happens before too much time passes. Maybe the right person will stumble across this article and get inspired to pick up the pieces. In the meantime, we can only speculate.
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