Joss Whedon won't write and direct WB's 'Batgirl' as planned

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Writer-director Joss Whedon will not be making a Batgirl movie for Warner Bros. after all.

This would have been the DC superheroine's first standalone, live-action adventure.

"Batgirl is such an exciting project, and Warners/DC such collaborative and supportive partners, that it took me months to realize I really didn't have a story," Whedon said in a statement to Variety, thanking DC President Geoff Johns and Warners Picture Group President Toby Emmerich for the opportunity, even though it did not work out.

"I'm grateful to Geoff and Toby and everyone who was so welcoming when I arrived, and so understanding when I... uh, is there a sexier word for 'failed'?"

The Hollywood Reporter said Whedon tried for nearly a year to come up with a plan for Batgirl, but couldn't find an angle. During that time, Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman became a critically acclaimed blockbuster, raising expectations for future comic-book adaptations.

A female filmmaker will likely take over the Batgirl project, but the studio has not announced Whedon's replacement yet, THR said.

Whedon took over directing duties on WB's Justice League after Zack Snyder stepped away to be with his family, following the suicide of his daughter. Whedon previously wrote and directed 2012's The Avengers and 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron for Marvel/Disney, and created the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.