Among multiple factors noted by those close to producer Dan Lin's decision to turn down the role of DC Films head at Warner Bros. Discovery are the studio's cancelation of its nearly finished "Batgirl," the notorious micromanaging of studio head David Zaslav, and the criminal antics of "The Flash" star Ezra Miller, according to The Wrap.
Potentially the most decisive factor in Lin's decision to cease talks with Warner was the company's decision to shelve the costly "Batgirl" for a tax write-off when it was nearly ready for distribution, according to sources who The Wrap claims are in the know regarding the now-defunct deal. The movie's cancelation prompted outcries, including from its talent.
In general, the fate of upcoming DC Films has never been more uncertain. Aside from Warner Bros. Discovery's demonstrated willingness to can projects mid-production and strip existing titles from its streaming platforms, there are issues even with those films it insists will see a release. "The Flash," originally scheduled for a 2018 release and now expected out in June 2023, is led by Ezra Miller, who has shocked the public with scandal after scandal, including multiple arrests. A recent Vanity Fair exposé painted a tormented and unstable picture of the embattled star. Meanwhile, other DC films such as "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" have also been delayed (per Deadline). Altogether, it's easy to see why a prospective DC Films head would choose not to engage in what would likely be an uphill battle from the get-go.
