Batgirl has been cast! The Heights actress Leslie Grace 'landed the role of the superhero' in a DC Comics-based film for HBO Max

Leslie Grace has been tapped to play Barbara Gordon in the upcoming DC Comics-based film Batgirl.

The news about the 26-year-old actress' casting was first reported by Deadline, who earlier claimed several other performers had been eyed for the role.

The much-awaited superhero project has been in the works ever since 2017, and the project is currently set to make its debut on the HBO Max streaming service in the near future.

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Leading lady: The much-awaited superhero project has been in the works ever since 2017, with Leslie Grace set to play Barbara Gordon in the upcoming Comics-based film (pictured in June 2021)

The media outlet also reported that the In The Heights actress' stellar audition was the deciding factor behind her landing the role.

Previously considered for the part were Zoey Deutch, Haley Lu Richardson and Isabella Merced.

Neither Warner Bros nor DC Films offered any comment about Grace's casting.

Although plot points are being withheld from the public, the forthcoming feature will focus on Gordon, who is the daughter of Gotham City's police commissioner, James.

Serious competition: Deadline reported that the actress came out on top over other performers such as Zoey Deutch and Haley Lu Richardson
Nailing it: The media outlet reported that executives from both Warner Bros. and DC Films were impressed by Grace's performance in In The Heights

Grace also took to Twitter on Wednesday to share the news with her fans, retweeting a media post about her casting.

'I am BEYOND EXCITED to embody Barbara Gordon, your #Batgirl! I cannot believeeee what I’m writing rn…' Grace began. 

THANK YOU DC for welcoming to the family! I’m ready to give her all I’ve got!' she concluded. 

Tweet: Grace also took to Twitter on Wednesday to share the news with her fans, retweeting a media post about her casting

No other potential cast members have been announced as of yet, and a start date on production has not been scheduled.

Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who are known for their work on films such as Bad Boys For Life, will helm the project.

The flick's screenplay will also be written by Christina Hodson, who previously wrote the script for DC's Birds Of Prey.

Development on the project first began in 2017, and Joss Whedon was originally set to helm the film.

Long time coming: Batgirl has been in development ever since 2017, and Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are set to direct the film; Grace is pictured in June

The entertainment industry figure was said to be using DC's The New 52 revamp as source material for his take on the character.

Although the 57-year-old producer was set to both write and direct the feature, he later dropped out in 2018.

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Karen Gillian previously expressed that she would have liked to be able to both star in and helm the feature. 

Former crew: Joss Whedon was previously set to both write and direct the feature, although he eventually dropped out of the project

Batgirl was formerly portrayed by Alicia Silverstone in the 1997 film Batman & Robin.

The older version of the character deviated from the source material in the sense that she was not portrayed as Commissioner Gordon's daughter.

The upcoming Batgirl movie will be made available on the HBO Max streaming service at an unspecified date in the future.

Past portrayal: Batgirl was previously played by Alicia Silverstone in the 1997 feature Batman & Robin, which was critically panned upon its release

Grace was born in the Bronx and raised in Davie, Florida, and she started singing and dancing at a very young age.

She started her career as a singer, breaking through with a bilingual cover of the 1961 Shirelles hit Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow in 2012, which peaked atop the Billboard Tropical Songs charts.

She released two albums, Passion in 2009 and Leslie Grace in 2013, the latter of which reached the third spot on the Billboard Tropical Albums chart and the fourth spot on the Billboard Latin Albums chart.

Bronx-born: Grace was born in the Bronx and raised in Davie, Florida, and she started singing and dancing at a very young age

She collaborated with a number of artists including Maluma, with their single Aire, which lead them to tour throughout Mexico.

It was revealed in April 2019 that she would make her feature film acting debut as Nina Rosario in an adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's beloved stage musical In the Heights.

The film has grossed over $40 million worldwide while simultaneously streaming on HBO Max, earning rave reviews from critics with a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Heights: It was revealed in April 2019 that she would make her feature film acting debut as Nina Rosario in an adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's beloved stage musical In the Heights

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