While some characters like Superman and Aquaman have breezed into the DC Extended Universe without issue, Batgirl’s journey to the big screen has been a little more treacherous. A solo movie was in the works from the controversial Joss Whedon, but he eventually dropped out and Warner Bros. has yet to replace him.
It was recently announced that Ben Affleck’s Batman solo movie would’ve introduced Batgirl, but that project is also dead in the water. Barbara Gordon is a great character and somebody will eventually do her justice on-screen. These actors and filmmakers could be the ones to do it.
Actor: Jane Levy
Jane Levy became a household name with the lead role in Suburgatory, then significantly expanded the scope of her career by leaving lighthearted sitcom territory behind and becoming a prominent scream queen in Fede Álvarez’s Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe. Currently, she’s the star of the popular musical dramedy series Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.
Levy has proven she can be a straightforward, compelling lead and carry a story on her shoulders, but she’s also demonstrated a little-seen dark side that could add more complexity to Barbara.
Actor: Yara Shahidi
After becoming one of the breakout stars of Black-ish, Yara Shahidi was given her own spin-off series, Grown-ish, in which her character Zoey Johnson went off to college to start a new life.
Shahidi has deftly carried the series for three seasons, with a fourth on the way. It’s about time she got to headline a big movie. She has the youthful energy and the combination of humor and pathos to really nail the role of Barbara Gordon.
Actor: Tatiana Maslany
Since she just signed on to play She-Hulk in the MCU, Tatiana Maslany probably won’t have time to play Barbara Gordon in the DCEU, but her astounding turn as a bunch of clones in Orphan Black proves she could pull it off.
Maslany has the dramatic range to play basically any role, and her guest turn in Parks and Rec proved she has underutilized comedic abilities.
Actor: Kaitlyn Dever
Barbara Gordon lookalike Kaitlyn Dever has been rumored for the role of Batgirl ever since the first attempt at a solo movie was announced. She’s even commented on the rumors and said she’d be up for playing the part.
In addition to being a dead ringer for the Barbara of the comics, Dever has demonstrated impeccable range as a performer, from her powerful dramatic turn in Unbelievable to her hysterical comedic turn in Booksmart.
Actor: Zendaya
Zendaya’s popularity and proven range as an actor have made her a popular fan casting choice for just about every role that’s up for grabs. She’s currently committed to starring in Euphoria for HBO and playing MJ for Marvel, so she might not have time for a DCEU superhero role.
But if she did, she’d undoubtedly do a great job with this part. She can play a character with a dark side without losing any of the fun, warmth, or humor of a comic book blockbuster.
Director: Patty Jenkins
The Wonder Woman movies have made Patty Jenkins one of Hollywood’s most sought-after blockbuster directors. The 2020 sequel didn’t quite live up to its 2017 predecessor, but they’re both fun, action-packed, emotionally charged superhero movies. Jenkins’ style is marked by a sincerity that’s hard to find in today’s moviegoing landscape.
With a third Wonder Woman movie, a Star Wars movie, and a remake of Cleopatra on the horizon, Jenkins might be too busy to direct a Batgirl movie — but it would be great to see her vision of Gotham.
Director: Jennifer Kent
Jennifer Kent’s “elevated horror” debut The Babadook made her a household name, then her revenge-themed sophomore feature, The Nightingale, proved she wasn’t a one-trick pony.
Kent has made a name for herself telling darkly themed stories about layered female characters — she’d be perfect for a gritty, violent Batgirl movie.
Director: Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay, the master filmmaker behind Selma, has said that she’d be open to making big, action-packed blockbusters like the ones made by DC and Marvel, and the only reason she hasn’t made one yet is that the offers simply aren’t coming through.
At one point, DuVernay was working on a New Gods movie for the DCEU, which could be a spectacular sci-fi extravaganza, but if that project isn’t going forward, she’d also make a terrific Batgirl movie.
Director: Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig has yet to direct an action movie, but a command of story and character is more important for superhero movies than the ability to stage elaborate set pieces. It’s easier for a great filmmaker to learn how to direct action than it is for an action director to learn how to craft rich characters.
With the same care and compassion that she gave the title character in Lady Bird and the March sisters in Little Women, Gerwig could create a beautiful cinematic study of Batgirl.
Director: Lynne Ramsay
Since her heartbreaking debut feature Ratcatcher, Lynne Ramsay has been one of the greatest and most underrated directors in the world.
Her last two movies, We Need to Talk About Kevin and You Were Never Really Here, were incredibly dark and violent — it would be fascinating to see Ramsay’s take on the sprawling gothic metropolis of Gotham City.
