DCEU: Ranking The Batgirl Actress Shortlist From Worst To Best

Joss Whedon's DC debut is close to finding its heroine...

Katherine Waterson Batgirl
DC Comics

With Wonder Woman's success turning the tide for the DC Extended Universe after a slew of critical duds, Joss Whedon's impending Batgirl movie now has the unenviable task of hitting or exceeding the high bar set by Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot.

But firstly - who will be the director's leading lady?

If a recent leak on the aptly titled DCEU Leaks subreddit is to be believed, Warner Bros are currently looking at nine actresses and wish to fill the role before this year's San Diego Comic-Con - which kicks off on 20 July - so they can make the surprise announcement on stage.

In no particular order, the shortlist contains Elle Fanning, Olivia Cooke, Bella Thorne, Katherine Langford, Margaret Qualley, Jane Levy, Emma Roberts, Haley Lu Richardson and Naomi Scott, with Langford currently rumoured to be the frontrunner.

It's an interesting list, boasting a variety of newcomers and familiar faces, and if Joss Whedon's strong history with female characters is any indication, he will make the right choice.

But - taking into account previous work and acting ability - who seems like the right choice on the surface?

Let's decide.

9. Bella Thorne

Katherine Waterson Batgirl
Dimension Films

Known For: Shake It Up, Blended, The Duff.

Kicking off the list with a choice that seems wholly unlikely, Thorne - best known for the Disney Channel series Shake It Up - has not displayed even half of the talent and screen presence an actress would need in order to lead a big-budget, high-profile superhero blockbuster.

Most of her movie roles have been as a supporting player, and in truth, she's more likely to pop up in an edition of Heat Magazine than Total Film, since most of her popularity stems from her active social media presence and involvement with other celebrities, and not her acting.

Chances Of Her Being Cast: Slim.

Whedon has mentioned that he'll probably be looking for a newcomer to play Batgirl and Thorne certainly fits that bill, but since being a newcomer is the only thing Thorne has going for her in terms of suitability for the part, we're confident she won't be cast. 2/10

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Danny has been with WhatCulture for almost nine years, and is currently Doctor Who Editor and WhoCulture Channel Manager, overseeing all of WhatCulture's Whoniverse coverage. He has been writing and video editing for 10+ years, and first got a taste for content creation after making his own Doctor Who trailers and uploading them to YouTube (they're admittedly a bit rusty by today's standards). If you need someone to recite every Doctor Who episode in order or to tell you about the making of 1988's Remembrance of the Daleks, Danny is the person to ask.