Warner Bros. Discovery's cancelation of Batgirl created industry shockwaves that are still resonating, especially for a pint-sized cast member whose father now wants something to remember the role.While few will deny that star Leslie Grace was personally impacted the most by the abrupt early-August news of Batgirl's erasure by the studio, the company-restructuring development proved to be a major source of disappointment for a nine-year-old girl named Isla Neil, who had spent a day filming scenes for the movie in Glasgow, Scotland. The appearance, while minor, depicted Neil as a child who draws clear inspiration from the eponymous character's crimefighting endeavors by proudly wearing a homemade Batgirl outfit. Unfortunately, footage of the role is now lost with the film, placed under lock and key by the studio. Thus, Isla's father, Alastair, has taken to Twitter, asking the studio and boss David Zaslav to fulfill the promise of returning photos taken of her on the set.
Indeed, Alastair spoke to Glasgow Times, recounting the rollercoaster of emotions that have come from the Batgirl experience of his daughter, who the film's co-director, Adil El Arbi, previously described as "the coolest Batgirl." The casting itself could be chalked up to kismet since he initially only brought Isla -- while dressed in her own Batgirl outfit -- to the Glasgow set to watch the filming take place, but she ended up catching the eyes of crew members who took his phone number, leading to the opportunity of a lifetime. After getting permission from Isla's school for time off, filming of her (admittedly type-cast) debut role took place, creating childhood memories that will last a lifetime. Moreover, after the role wrapped, she was even allowed to return to the set to meet star Leslie Grace.
Of course, as with all comic book movie properties, the role required the crucial caveat of being sworn to secrecy over major details. While some famous movie actors -- like, say, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with names that rhyme with "Hom Tolland" -- often find confidentiality difficult to maintain, it only made the experience even more special for the child. However, it would also cement the extent of her subsequent disappointment. "We had to keep it all a secret for so long," the father said. "We kept saying to Isla 'you’re going to be on the big screen'. We had plans to go to the cinema when the film was released, and she wanted her friends to see her in the movie. She was upset, really upset about it being scrapped, but she’s got the memories she’ll never forget."
However, the memories remain fond for Isla, who Alastair said was "over the moon" during the cameo experience. "It was incredible," he explained. "The sets she shot were amazing, I was sitting watching nearly in tears. She was taking directions really well. The assistant director said 'this girl’s brilliant, she’s going to go places.' The whole experience made her feel like a star. The crew treated her like one too, and I'd like to thank the staff, the directors, and Leslie for showing Isla so much love. After shooting one of the scenes she was in, the director played it back to show me and it looked incredible."
It will be interesting to see if Batgirl ultimately sees the light of day, despite Warner's insistence. This is especially the case as calls for the film's restoration have been growing louder, and reports of efforts by directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah to save the film and of a "Funeral Screening" by its cast and crew continue to raise the curiosity of would-be audiences over the DC Extended Universe picture that never was.
Source: Twitter, Glasgow Times