Warner Bros. Just Confirmed Which Batman Actor Appears In HBO Max's Batgirl

By Tom Drew Posted:
Batgirl Michael Keaton

While Warner Bros. prepares to pump out theatrical DC films like The Batman and The Flash, it also has its eyes set on releasing features exclusively on HBO Max. Blue Beetle will be making the jump from the platform to cinemas, but Batgirl is firmly set to still release on the streaming platform. Filming is currently underway, with one of the movie’s directors Bilall Fallah sharing a glimpse of the project’s behind-the-scenes.

After receiving its first piece of concept art at DC FanDome, a few faces have joined newcomer Leslie Grace and returning Commission Gordon actor J.K. Simmons. Bad Boys For Life actor Jacob Scipio will co-star alongside Grace, while Brendan Fraser joins the cast as the film’s villain.

Now a familiar face from the Batman universe has joined the cast of Batgirl.

Batman Returns for HBO Max's Batgirl

Michael Keaton, Batman
DC

Via @dctvcinema_ on Twitter, a Warner Bros. press release for the upcoming Batgirl film for HBO Max has revealed an interesting new cast member joining the project.

In addition to Leslie Grace, J.K. Simmons, Brendan Fraser, and Jacob Scipio, Batman actor Michael Keaton will be joining the film. While the description doesn't state who Keaton will be portraying, it's more than like that he will be reprising his role as the Dark Knight.

The full description can be read below:

BATGIRL On HBO Max TBD 
(Warner Bros. Pictures) 


Directors: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah

Writer: Christina Hodson, Based on characters from DC

Producer: Kristin Burr

Executive Producers: Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada, Galen Vaisman, Christina Hodson 

Cast: Leslie Grace, J.K. Simmons, Brendan Fraser, Jacob Scipio, and Michael Keaton 

Action Adventure. The first-ever live-action feature film to star the popular DC Super Hero, Batgirl. 

The Same Batman from The Flash?

Michael Keaton is rumored to have a rather large role in The Flash, but it appears he will now have an even bigger impact on the DCEU as a whole.

This announcement raises questions about how Keaton’s Batman will be used, as set photos seem to suggest that Batgirl is indeed set in the same universe as The Flash. Whether this will be the regular DCEU or the altered universe that Barry Allen creates remains to be seen, but Keaton’s casting could signify that he will be incorporated into the mainline DCEU by The Flash’s end.

Perhaps this will be the way that DC will allow Ben Affleck to be free of the Dark Knight role, ushering in Michael Keaton’s Caped Crusader to become the universe’s mainstay by combining universes.

As for what Keaton’s Batman will get up to in Batgirl itself, he will more than like act as a mentor figure for Leslie Grace’s character as she begins her superhero career.

Batgirl is set to release on HBO Max in 2022.

- About The Author: Tom Drew
Tom Drew is the Executive Editor at The Direct. Tom writes for The Direct's Marvel, Star Wars, and DC branches while specializing in all things movies, from blockbuster to indie darlings.