An earnings call Q&A on Thursday with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav revealed much about the newly merged company’s plans, but a veritable Bat-Signal was shined on why the company was shelving Batgirl.
As reported, that film, which was far enough along to be tested for audiences, was unceremoniously shelved by the company, which is apparently writing off its reportedly $90 million budget.
The film was said to have tested poorly with preview audiences, prompting the studio to pull the plug.
“We’re not going to launch a movie until it’s ready. We’re not going to launch a movie to make a quarter and we’re not going to put a movie out unless we believe in it,” Zaslav said, according to Variety.
The CEO is taking a serious look at reorganizing the company’s deep bench of heroes, with an eye toward taking a Marvel Studios-like strategy in cultivating its intellectual property, most notably its heroic residents of Gotham City, Metropolis and the other characters from the DC Comics Universe.
“The objective is to grow the DC brand, to grow the DC characters. But also, our job is to protect the DC brand. And that’s what we’re going to do,” he explained, according to the trade.
Zaslav also specified that The Flash, starring Ezra Miller in the title role, would still hit theaters — in spite of the actor’s recent troubling behavior. He mentioned that upcoming film, as well as The Rock‘s Black Adam and the Shazam sequel, were hitting the “quality” bar the studio was looking for going forward.
“We’ve seen them, we think they’re terrific, and we think we can make them even better,” he said.
Gone is the old WB strategy of creating big-budget movies just for streaming, as Batgirl was initially intended to be, said Zaslav.
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Music notes: Taylor Swift, Bazzi and more
April 26, 2024
Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department has scored the biggest opening of an album in the U.K.…
‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy coming back to theaters
April 26, 2024
'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' - New Line/WireImagePeter Jackson's…
Kevin Spacey claps back after ‘Spacey Unmasked’ documentary trailer debuts
April 26, 2024
Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty ImagesThe trailer to Spacey Unmasked, a documentary about Kevin Spacey from…
Doja Cat’s message to parents: Keep your kids away from my concerts
April 26, 2024
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for CoachellaPlenty of artists who have young fans don't seem to have…
New Music Friday: The Chainsmokers, Jason Derulo and more
April 26, 2024
It's New Music Friday, and The Chainsmokers are taking it literally. They've just released a new…
Ryan Gosling sings again in new ‘Fall Guy’ stuntman tribute
April 26, 2024
Disney/Scott KirklandRyan Gosling apparently hasn't let his pipes cool down since his "I'm Just…
Jelly Roll says he left social media for more reasons than “bullying”
April 26, 2024
Disney/Eric McCandlessIn the April 24 episode of her podcast Dumb Blonde, Jelly Roll's wife, Bunnie…
Lori Loughlin gives first interview following college admissions scandal
April 26, 2024
Loughlin on 'Curb' -- HBO/John JohnsonWhile she didn't mention the college admission scandal that…