Joss Whedon Explains His 'Heartbreaking' 'Batgirl' Exit

Comic fans were a bit surprised last year when former Marvel superstar director Joss Whedon jumped fandoms to direct a "Batgirl" flick for rival DC, and surprised once again when Whedon abruptly left the project earlier this year. Now, the writer-director has provided some additional details about why he chose to step aside.

While speaking with Variety at the premiere of "Avengers: Infinity War" on Monday night, Whedon clarified his previous statement on the subject, when he said he "really didn't have a story" for "Batgirl." According to the filmmaker, his reason for leaving had more to do with the specific story that he wanted to -- and ultimately, could not find a way to -- tell.

Here's what Whedon told Variety:

"It had been a year since I had first pitched the story. A lot happened in that year. The story kind of just crumbled in my hands. There were elements that I just hadn't mastered that, after a long time, felt like I wasn't going to. I told people that I didn't have an idea, which isn't an exact truth. I had an idea, but it didn't fit in the space that was left for it. It was a little heartbreaking. But I'm working on something of my own, and there's nothing more exciting than that."

His comments about his idea not fitting into a certain space suggests that maybe DC had some specific ideas of their own about what Whedon should incorporate, and he ultimately couldn't find a way to marry the two. Or maybe his vision was too ambitious -- a.k.a. unfilmable, or too expensive for DC to greenlight filming.

We may never know what Whedon had in store for Barbara Gordon on the big screen, but the filmmaker told Variety that he can't wait to see what his replacement, screenwriter Christina Hodson, comes up with.

"I love that character!" the filmmaker said.

No word yet on when "Batgirl" is expected to fly into theaters. Stay tuned.

[via: Variety]

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