Over the years, Warner Bros. and the DC Extended Universe had a roller coaster ride of reception regarding their film projects and public opinion. The rough waters began with Zack Snyder's departure from Justice League, which eventually led to the movement that got his initial vision of the film released. Now, it has appeared that another movie in the franchise's lineup has hit some turbulence with the announcement of Batgirl's cancellation. But the door closing on the DC film may open another for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In truth, the end of Batgirl came as a result of Discovery purchasing WB. Supposedly, the film wouldn't measure up to the new standards that the current owners have set, which has caused the film to get shelved. But perhaps the strangest aspect of this surprise decision revolved around the film's directors, Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi. The breakout duo had recently seen massive success with the release of Ms. Marvel on Disney+ and had seemingly proven that they knew how to handle a superhero property. But more than Ms. Marvel, Batgirl seemed like a safe bet as it was tied to the Batman legacy and focused on a well-known hero and villain fans loved for decades.
That said, as the dust continues to settle on Batgirl's cancellation, there's one thing that's certain -- the film's directors may show up again, thanks to Marvel Studios. While there are many moving parts with the franchise, there's an equal level of opportunity that plans that seemed set could be shifted or altered to accommodate any talent they want on board. Considering the state that Fallah and El Arbi have been left in, they may return and continue the story of their debut hero or even helm a new and ambitious film.
Should the duo return for a new Season of Ms. Marvel, it would ensure that the style fans have adored from Season 1 would still be in place. That could include their clever camera work and the youthful tone they established with the first episode. And their recently opened schedule could mean that Ms. Marvel Season 2 could get moved up the timetable and see an earlier release, potentially following The Marvels.
But if Disney+ isn't in the cards, the directors could also be open to taking on a larger budget film. While it would make sense to see Fallah and El Arbi take on another younger hero film, their unique style could be exactly what the studio wants for a movie like Avengers: Secret Wars. Much like the surprise choice of Destin Daniel Cretton to direct Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, their vision could be just different enough to offer a new look to Earth's Mightiest Heroes, much like a new creative team in the comics.
Batgirl's end is undoubtedly a dark spot on the studio that has shown similar camaraderie when Marvel Studios let go of James Gunn, only for Warner Bros. to pick him up to work on The Suicide Squad. However, this could be a rare chance to show a similar kindness and aid the creators that worked on the film by giving them another opportunity to work on something new and fun. Clearly, this current state of WB is uncharted territory, and many films have taken a hit. But the creators involved deserve a chance to express themselves, and even if one door closes, that doesn't mean another shouldn't open.