It was only Monday when we brought you the news that Warner Bros. was screen testing a shortlist of actresses to play Barbara Gordon in their planned Batgirl movie for HBO Max. Now it seems the studio has already made their final decision with In The Heights star Leslie Grace landing the role.
Grace is already in high standing with Warner following her breakout role in the Lin Manuel Miranda musical which dropped earlier in the summer. Sources are now stating her final audition sealed the deal on her chance at superhero stardom.
Grace was among a final group of actresses being tested for the role that included Isabella Merced, Zoey Deutch and Haley Lu Richardson.
Though the studio had no comment on the casting, Grace took to twitter late last night to confirm the news:
I am BEYOND EXCITED to embody Barbara Gordon, your #Batgirl ! I cannot believeeee what I’m writing rn… THANK YOU DC for welcoming to the family! I’m ready to give her all I’ve got! 🦇💜✨ https://t.co/muq9GuVVk6
— Leslie Grace (@lesliegrace) July 21, 2021
Grace becomes the fourth actress to take on the role in live-action. Yvonne Craig was the first actress to portray Gordon back in Batman ’66 alongside Adam West. Batgirl next appeared in director Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin where she was played by Alicia Silverstone. In 2002, Dina Meyer took on the role in the short-lived Birds of Prey TV series. Most recently Savannah Welch will take on Commissioner Barbara Gordon in the third season of DC’s Titans.
Batgirl will be directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from a script by Christina Hodson. Kristin Burr is producing.
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