I'm old school. It's either Barbara or no-one for me.
Barbara Gordon was far more interesting as Oracle than she ever was as Batgirl. I agree that putting her back in the suit was a huge regression for the character. As a costumed hero, she's so vanilla (even her cutesy costumed look in her current run and Birds Of Prey is grating. She looks like a 14 year old cosplayer. Criminals should laugh at the sight of her, as she not in the least bit intimidating. Barbara as Batgirl is only cute for nostalgia's sake). She literally offers nothing to the Bat-Universe as a costumed crimefighter that Huntress and Batwoman don't offer a hundred times better.
Cassandra Cain at least offers something unique and different. And after Wonder Woman and Black Panther, that's the name of the game. By the time Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman 2 and Black Widow turn up, another costumed hetrosexual white woman will be passe. Cassandra being Asian (or half Asian, but those features dominate her phenotype) will be a milestone that will draw a lot of attention. And also her speaking "disablity" is a hugely interesting and unique angle that will also make the character stand out. Her story of opedial torture and abuse with both her parents (David Cain and Shiva) is faaaaar more interesting than Barbara Gordon deciding she wants to dress up as Batgirl because she see's Batman doing it and thinks it's cool.
Problem with DC is that there are far too many nostalgia stans in positions of influence. People like Geoff Johns who want to push the likes of Hal Jordan and Barry Allen down people's throats, when John Stewart and Wally West are probably more cinematically appealing. Cassandra is far more cinematic a character than Barbara as Batgirl (imagine those silent ninja level fight scenes Cass would pull off). But Barbara has the nostalgia factor with a lot of creators who'd rather push her, instead of acknowledging Cassandra is the better cinematic option.
Marvel wasn't beholden to Hank Pym as Ant-Man, even though he was the original and probably the more popular choice among many fans. Yet they went with Scott Lang, because his ex-con trying to see his daughter storyline, offered something far more cinematically interesting than yet another superhero scientist giving himself powers and fighting crime.
Barbara should be like Hank Pym in the Ant-Man movies (the original, now a mentor as Oracle). And Cassandra should be the lead.
As opposed to the scores of heterosexual white men who dominate the genre?
Barbara can still be a major character in the movie as Oracle. Wouldn't you rather see a Batgirl movie with Barbara in it (even out of costume) that's embraced for being unique and different, than another Green Lantern type deal that people find generic?
Because a Barbara Gordon Batgirl will almost certainly be generic (unless they are remaking The Killing Joke). Cassandra Cain will offer something potentially special for cinematic storytelling.
I dont think thats what it is. There are plenty of arguments you could make for not using Barbara; that isnt one of them.
I don't quite get the Whedon hatred. How much of it is due to the accusations made by his ex-wife, and how much of it is due to him now being the scapegoat for JL's failure in some people's eyes? Genuinely asking.
Problem with DC is that there are far too many nostalgia stans in positions of influence. People like Geoff Johns who want to push the likes of Hal Jordan and Barry Allen down people's throats, when John Stewart and Wally West are probably more cinematically appealing.
It's because of AoU, his failed WW script and now JL bombing (i dont blame him for btw). I'm sure his ex-wife's story is also part of it but I think it is mainly because of the above.
Batgirl was his comeback story and now it's gone so he fans only have the last thing to remember him by, both of which were failures for the most part.
Sure...but how do you make it generic when there isn't really a template for a sidekick flick? Kick-Ass 2 maybe?Barbara can still be a major character in the movie as Oracle. Wouldn't you rather see a Batgirl movie with Barbara in it (even out of costume) that's embraced for being unique and different, than another Green Lantern type deal that people find generic?
Isn't Cassandra Cain mute? How do you build a movie around a character like that?
Isn't Cassandra Cain mute? How do you build a movie around a character like that?
Barbara Gordon- as Batgirl- presents more dramatic storytelling possibilities than almost any character in the DC universe. She is the daughter of Jim Gordon, Batmans greatest ally.
The natural complexities of those relationships- between Batman and Batgirl, Barbara and her father, Batman and Commissioner Gordon- was understood by Paul Dini when he wrote the great Over the Edge episode of the animated series (I loved when Dini got choked up while discussing that episode with Kevin Smith on Fatman on Batman years ago. It had evident meaning to him, and it should- Over the Edge is just that good).
If you start off with Barbara as Oracle, the worst thing that could happen- the thing that tortures her, despite her joy at being Batgirl, is that this thing that fulfills her could actually destroy the bond between Batman and her father- has already happened.
Weve had two subsequent Batgirls. One is the daughter of two B-list assassins. The other is the daughter of a C-list criminal. They are wonderful, involving characters in their own right, but neither has a biography that gives them such a compelling, fundamental connection to Batman. If there never had been a Batgirl, and DC were to send out pitches for such a character right now, I cant imagine a story editor not picking daughter of the commisioner.
It was an absolutely brilliant character concept fifty years ago, and it still is today.
Its why- sorry- you just cant get rid of Barbara as Batgirl.
So, to be clear, WB, who's been having trouble with their cinematic universe to the point of experiencing failure with a Justice League movie, should make a movie starring a Batgirl the general audience has never heard of who's mute, which involves a lengthy backstory where the Batgirl people have heard is in a wheelchair after being attacked by The Joker, which they would be familiar with if they'd read the comics they've never read. And this is going to work because of Drive, a movie that made $78.1 million at the box office and whose protagonist wasn't mute, just not very talkative, and didn't spend a large portion of the movie with a mask covering his whole face.
I'm not an expert on what the general audience will watch, but if I were WB, this is not the idea I'd be betting on.
As far as I'm aware, they are using John Stewart in their Green Lantern movie.