With the former DC Universe slate of streaming series making their way to HBO Max, there will be no shortage of content for superhero fans in the near future. HBO Max isn't just picking up shows like Titans and Doom Patrol though. The streaming platform is also bringing new content for fans in the coming years. In addition to the recently released Snyder Cut of Justice League, the platform also has projects for DC characters like Zatanna and Batgirl on the way.
Batgirl was initially planned as a movie by Joss Whedon, but that project seemingly fell apart when Whedon backed out. The movie is now being developed for HBO Max instead. While not much information is known about what the movie will entail, there's a lot of speculation that the version of Batgirl making it to the screen will be Barbara Gordon, especially since the character was originally going to appear in Ben Affleck's Batman movie before it was changed as well. Just where this Batgirl fits into the DC Extended Universe of movies is up in the air. Whether she'll appear in an origin story or as a seasoned hero, these actresses would be great for the part.
Zoey Deutch
Fans frequently wish for superhero castings on social media sites. Not every actor mentioned is going to chime in with their agreement or disagreement. In 2019, however, a tweet about Zoey Deutch as Batgirl went viral. She responded with a simple, "yes, please," making it clear she would be interested in the role.
Deutch has a pretty versatile background in movies and television. She's done everything from comedy to drama, including taking on one of the leading roles in the popular Netflix rom-com Set It Up. For young adult audiences, however, she might best be known for starring in Vampire Academy. The horror-comedy was intended to start the next young adult film franchise. Based on a series of novels, the movie didn't perform as well as expected, and a sequel never materialized. That movie does show off Deutch's fight choreography skills pretty well, demonstrating that she's got the physicality to pull off the role of Batgirl in the DCEU as well as the acting chops.
Yara Shahidi
Barbara Gordon has traditionally been White in the comics, but that doesn't mean she has to be for the movie. Increased diversity in comic book movies to reflect the actual ethnic makeup of the real world is something a lot of fans have been clamoring for, so why limit casting potential to White actresses?
Yara Shahidi is best known for her role in the sitcom Black-ish and its spinoff series Grown-ish. She's got a great blend of humor and pathos that allows her to truly carry the show despite it being an ensemble. A lot of her work outside the television world has been in voiceover roles, but she recently snagged the role of Tinkerbell in the upcoming Peter Pan adaptation Peter Pan & Wendy. Shahidi could really take the feature world by storm if given the chance.
Vanessa Morgan
Most television fans will recognize Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz in the CW's Riverdale. A modern adaptation of Archie Comics, the series is not exactly in the same vein of Batgirl. Morgan could definitely rock the role of Barbara Gordon though.
She's been playing teen roles for the last decade of her acting career. Morgan could easily transition from a Batgirl origin story to a seasoned superhero in Gotham. She even has a little experience in the world of fantasy thanks to the MTV series The Shannara Chronicles. The series saw her as a royal in a supernatural world. Her movement from Disney comedies to teen dramas means she, like her predecessors here, has plenty of experience with a range of acting and tonal styles. Of course, Morgan's experience with television also might make her want a more long-term role if HBO Max decided to go the series route instead of a standalone movie.
Brenda Song
Brenda Song is best known as a Disney darling. The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody isn't the only Disney project under her belt though. One of her Disney roles as a teen actually proves she has what it takes to pull off Batgirl's moves.
As a teenager, Song headlined Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior. As the titular character, Song starred as a high schooler who discovered her destiny as a martial arts master in the fantasy story. She did her own stunts for the movie since she has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She's done a lot of television in recent years - mostly in the sitcom world. With a deadpan delivery, but also the ability to convey an edge as she did in The Social Network, Song could take on a more mature Barbara Gordon, just like Vanessa Morgan.
Sophia Lillis
The youngest actress here, Sophia Lillis has had a string of high-profile projects over the last few years. She has even more on the way. Lillis already nailed roles in the It remake, a Nancy Drew movie, and headlined Netflix's popular I Am Not Okay With This. She's also recently cast in the Dungeons & Dragons adaptation.
If the Batgirl movie turns out to be an origin story, it's fair to think casting directors will want an actress as close to a teenager as they can get. It's still unclear if the movie will be a standalone or a segue into the wider DCEU for the character. If producers want someone who could play the role for several years, Lillis would be a good bet. She's got the emotional range and the staying power.