Leslie Grace is reaching new heights. The actor, known for her breakout role in In the Heights, is joining the DC Universe as Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Bad Boys for Life filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are directing Batgirl from a script by Christina Hodson, the DC mainstay behind Birds of Prey and the upcoming The Flash. Kristin Burr is producing.
In addition to acting, Grace has made a name for herself in the world of music, receiving three Latin Grammy Award nominations. The DC Universe has cast three Latina actresses in key film roles this year, with Grace, who is Dominican American, joining Sasha Calle (Supergirl in The Flash) and Rachel Zegler (a mystery role in Shazam! Fury of the Gods).
Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Gotham police commissioner Jim Gordon, is the most famous version of Batgirl, but multiple characters have donned the cape and cowl. Batgirl originated in 1961 as Betty Kane, with the character revamped in 1967 for the Batman TV series’ third season when network executives wanted to attract a female audience to the series. Yvonne Craig played the character on the ’60s TV show, with Alicia Silverstone playing her in Joel Schumacher’s 1997 movie Batman & Robin.
The Batgirl film has been in development for several years, with Joss Whedon signing a deal to write and direct in 2017, then dropping out a year later.
Batgirl does not have a release date, but Warners has previously indicated it will likely bow on HBO Max in 2022.
Grace is repped by CAA and 641 Meridian Entertainment Management Group.
