Superhero movie director Joss Whedon is set to bring Batgirl to the big screen for the first time, in a stand-alone movie that will fit in the DC cinematic universe.

While no casting decisions or release dates yet decided upon, Variety reported on Thursday (March 30th) that Whedon is set to write, direct and produce the film for Warner Bros.

It will mark the first time that Batgirl has ever appeared in a central role in a feature film, after her character was first introduced in the DC comic book universe in the 1960s. Batgirl is the alter ego of Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Batman’s ally Commissioner James Gordon.

Joss WhedonJoss Whedon will direct a stand-alone 'Batgirl' movie for Warner Bros.

Alicia Silverstone fleetingly played the character in the hilariously bad 1997 film Batman & Robin. As a backstory, the character was paralysed from the waist down in Alan Moore’s 1988 graphic novel ‘The Killing Joke’, but her ability to walk was restored when her character was re-booted in 2011.

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Batgirl, whenever it eventually comes out, is also expected to feature a number of other characters from the DC cinematic universe.

More importantly, however, the movie will mark Whedon’s move to the DC universe having played a major part in setting up and bringing rival publisher Marvel’s cinematic universe to life.

The 52 year old director, who created the cult TV hit ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ precisely 20 years ago, helmed 2012’s The Avengers, which saw the likes of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and The Hulk pulled together under one roof, and its 2015 sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Warner Bros. also hopes to bring Wonder Woman, portrayed by Gal Gadot, to life in a stand-alone movie in June this year.

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