With the former DC Universe slate of streaming series making their way to HBO Max, there will be no shortage of content for superhero fans in the near future. HBO Max isn’t just picking up shows likeTitansandDoom Patrolthough. The streaming platform is also bringing new content for fans in the coming years. In addition to the recently released Snyder Cut ofJustice League, the platform also has projects for DCcharacters like Zatanna and Batgirlon the way.
Batgirlwas initially planned as a movie by Joss Whedon, but that project seemingly fell apart when Whedon backed out. The movie is now being developed for HBO Max instead. While not much information is known about what the movie will entail, there’s a lot of speculation that the version of Batgirl making it to the screen will be Barbara Gordon, especially since the character was originally going toappear in Ben Affleck’sBatmanmoviebefore it was changed as well. Just where this Batgirl fits into the DC Extended Universe of movies is up in the air. Whether she’ll appear in an origin story or as a seasoned hero, these actresses would be great for the part.
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Zoey Deutch
Fans frequently wish for superhero castings on social media sites. Not every actor mentioned is going to chime in with their agreement or disagreement. In 2019, however, a tweet about Zoey Deutch as Batgirl went viral.She responded with a simple, “yes, please,” making it clear she would be interested in the role.
Deutch has a pretty versatile background in movies and television. She’s done everything from comedy to drama, including taking on one of the leading roles in the popular Netflix rom-comSet It Up. For young adult audiences, however, she might best be known for starring inVampire Academy. The horror-comedy was intended to start the next young adult film franchise. Based on a series of novels, the movie didn’t perform as well as expected, and a sequel never materialized. That movie does show off Deutch’s fight choreography skills pretty well, demonstrating that she’s got the physicality to pull off the role of Batgirlin the DCEUas well as the acting chops.
Yara Shahidi
Barbara Gordon has traditionally been White in the comics, but that doesn’t mean she has to be for the movie. Increased diversityin comic book moviesto reflect the actual ethnic makeup of the real world is something a lot of fans have been clamoring for, so why limit casting potential to White actresses?
Yara Shahidi is best known for her role in the sitcomBlack-ishand its spinoff seriesGrown-ish. She’s got a great blend of humor and pathos that allows her to truly carry the show despite it being an ensemble. A lot of her work outside the television world has been in voiceover roles, but she recently snagged the role of Tinkerbell in the upcomingPeter PanadaptationPeter Pan & Wendy. Shahidi could really take the feature world by storm if given the chance.
Vanessa Morgan
Most television fans will recognize Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz in the CW’sRiverdale. A modern adaptation ofArchie Comics, the series is not exactly in the same vein ofBatgirl. Morgan could definitely rock the role of Barbara Gordon though.
She’s been playing teen roles for the last decade of her acting career. Morgan could easily transition from a Batgirl origin story to a seasoned superhero in Gotham. She even has a little experience in the world of fantasy thanks to the MTV seriesThe Shannara Chronicles. The series saw her as a royal in a supernatural world. Her movement from Disney comedies to teen dramas means she, like her predecessors here, has plenty of experience with a range of acting and tonal styles. Of course, Morgan’s experience with television also might make her want a more long-term roleif HBO Max decided to go the series routeinstead of a standalone movie.
Brenda Song
Brenda Song is best known as a Disney darling.The Suite Life Of Zack And Codyisn’t the only Disney project under her belt though. One of her Disney roles as a teen actually proves she has what it takes to pull off Batgirl’s moves.
As a teenager, Song headlinedWendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior. As the titular character, Song starred as a high schooler who discovered her destiny as a martial arts master in the fantasy story. She did her own stunts for the movie since she has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She’s done a lot of television in recent years - mostly in the sitcom world. With a deadpan delivery, but also the ability to convey an edge as she did inThe Social Network, Song could take ona more mature Barbara Gordon, just like Vanessa Morgan.
Sophia Lillis
The youngest actress here, Sophia Lillis has had a string of high-profile projects over the last few years. She has even more on the way. Lillis already nailed roles in theItremake, aNancy Drewmovie, and headlined Netflix’s popularI Am Not Okay With This. She’s also recently cast in theDungeons & Dragonsadaptation.
If theBatgirlmovie turns out to be an origin story, it’s fair to think casting directors will want an actress as close to a teenager as they can get. It’s still unclear if the movie will be a standalone or a segue into the wider DCEU for the character. If producers want someone who could play the role for several years, Lillis would be a good bet. She’s got the emotional range and the staying power.
