On Thursday, news broke that Joss Whedon was close to reaching a deal to write, direct, and produce a Batgirl movie, and now one of the writers behind an influential Batgirl comics run has weighed in.
After Whedon’s involvement became known, an article from Entertainment Weekly revealed that Whedon’s Batgirl movie would star Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Commissioner James Gordon (portrayed by J.K. Simmons in the upcoming Justice League). It would draw from DC Comics’ “New 52” iteration of the character, which was launched in 2011 and helmed by Gail Simone.
Simone, who also wrote for Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey, Secret Six, and Deadpool, initially praised Warner Bros’ choice of Whedon. Fans soon shared the new information about her run on Batgirl being used as a reference.
HEY, @JOSS!
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) March 30, 2017
DO BATGIRL GOOD AND I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER.
Holy shit. https://t.co/amLwTcon1u
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) March 30, 2017
I AM KIND OF FREAKING OUT JUST A TINY BIT, YOU GUYS.
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) March 30, 2017
After nearly a day of messages from fans and well-wishers, Simone took to Twitter to clear up any potential misconceptions about what role she has in the film. In short, she knows just about as much as we do.
Okay, my email, dms and messages have been flooded about Batgirl, and I can't keep up. So, here is a quick thread to address a few things.
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) March 31, 2017
First, yes, I am ridiculously excited. When I started comics, movies featuring Wonder Woman and Batgirl seemed like faraway dreams. No more.
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) March 31, 2017
Second, I found out about it yesterday, the same time you all did. I barely know anything about it. Just the same news you all saw.
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) March 31, 2017
Reaffirming her excitement for Whedon as director, she noted that the fact that Warner Bros. picked him demonstrated that the studio is serious about making the film. And although she doesn’t have a choice for which actress should play Barbara Gordon, she does have one request for the film: Put in Alysia Yeoh, Barbara’s roommate in Simone’s New 52
My biggest hope right now is, I would love to see Alysia in the film, played by a trans actress. It would mean a lot to lots of people.
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) March 31, 2017
No, but it has to be a trans woman actor, that is non-negotiable. https://t.co/Gp5UVxnw7l
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) March 31, 2017
Although she would accept a role if Whedon or someone making the movie wanted her to consult, she just wants to see a great Batgirl movie. Like many of Batgirl’s fans, Simone was inspired by Batgirl when she was younger—and is why Simone loves comics and became a writer in the first place.
“Barbara Gordon is pretty much my everything,” Simone told DC Comics in 2011. “Because of the Batman TV show, she was the reason I fell in love with superheroes. Because she was a redhead who could kick ass, she is the reason I fell in love with comics.”
And like the rest of us, she’ll be anxiously awaiting to hear what’s next.
If I am part of that happening, if my run helped make that happen, I could retire tomorrow and feel very content and overjoyed, really.
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) March 31, 2017
That's about it. Other than that, you know as much as I do, and I am waiting on the edge of my seat to hear more. Joss, Godspeed!
— Gail Simone 💙💛 (@GailSimone) March 31, 2017