Batgirl Begins!

Variety broke this morning that Warner Bros. is close to officially signing on Avengers director Joss Whedon to direct, write, and produce the solo big screen debut of Batgirl.

First debuted in 1967, Batgirl, a.k.a. Barbara Gordon, daughter of Gotham City’s Commissioner Gordon, has since become one of DC Comics’ most popular heroes and members of the Bat-Family. She’s made appearances in various comic books, video games, animated series, but only until now is being brought to the big screen thanks to Marvel alum director and comic writer Whedon at the helm.

No further details regarding casting or a release date come with this announcement. It is plausible that Commissioner Gordan, played by in the upcoming Justice League by Oscar winner J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), could make an appearance, as well as other Gotham city faces.

In addition to Batgirl, the other DC Extended Universe projects Warner Bros. is developing are the possibly Mel Gibson helmed Suicide Squad sequel, its Harley Quinn spin-off Gotham City Sirens from David Ayer, Matt Reeves’ The Batman, a Shazam solo film and a Black Adam spin-off starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Before Batgirl’s production cycle gets going, the DC Extended Universe’s first girl-powered superhero feature, Wonder Woman, is due in theaters June 2nd, with Justice League following after on November 17th. Also in the pipeline are standalones for Aquaman and The Flash.

Whedon, who shepherded Marvel’s crucial second phase by directing The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron, previously served up superheroine bonafides as the creator of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer (the series which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary) as well as the cult hits Angel, Dollhouse and Firefly (later expanded in the feature Serenity). In a somewhat more ironic twist, Whedon attempted for years to bring DC’s Wonder Woman to the screen.

We will stay tuned to the latest developments.