Openly trans actor and Batgirl star Ivory Aquino shared a heartwarming message to co-star Leslie Grace after the film’s cancellation.
On 2 August, DC fans were dealt a devasting blow when The New York Post reported that the highly anticipated film was officially shelved.
The jaw-dropping decision allegedly stemmed from lukewarm test screenings and the studio’s recent change of direction regarding their feature films.
“They think an unspeakable ‘Batgirl’ is going to be irredeemable,” a source told the publication.
The film, which was made with a $100 million budget, was set to premiere on HBO Max.
It also featured a star-studded cast, including Grace as the titular character, Brendan Fraiser as Firefly, J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon and Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman.
In response to the abrupt cancellation, Grace took to social media and praised the film and its cast and crew alongside a video of her singing.
“I feel blessed to have worked among absolute greats and forged relationships for a lifetime in the process,” she wrote.
“To every Batgirl – THANK YOU for the love and belief, allowing me to take on the cape and become, as Babs said best, ‘my own damn hero!’ Batgirl for life.”
Forever my Babs💗 https://t.co/a25gjx7Ftc
— Ivory Aquino (@MsIvoryAquino) August 4, 2022
Shortly after her emotional statement, the In The Heights actor received an outpour of support from fans and various co-stars like Aquino – who was set to play Batgirl’s best friend Alysia Yeoh.
In a quote tweet of Grace’s initial statement, the When We Rise star wrote: “Forever my Babs.”
Aquino also uploaded additional tributes highlighting their friendship via Instagram.
In one of her posts, the young talent wrote: “My #batgirl (and karaoke) fam for life.”
The post also featured a video of them singing Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing.
Earlier this year, Aquino made LGBTQ+ history when she joined the film as Alysia Yeoh.
Before the movie’s untimely cancellation, the Blue Bloods actor would have portrayed the DC Extended Universe’s first trans character in a live-action feature film adaption.
Alysia Yeoh made her debut in a 2011 issue of the Batgirl comics, which was written by Gail Simone and pencilled by Ardian Syaf.
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