Actress Leslie Grace’s stock has risen fast since coming off her breakout role in In the Heights. Now, she is joining the DC Universe, where she will play Batgirl in an upcoming HBO Max movie.
“I am beyond excited to embody Barbara Gordon, your #Batgirl!” Grace wrote on Twitter late Wednesday afternoon. “I cannot believeeee what I’m writing rn … Thank you DC for welcoming [me] to the family! I’m ready to give her all I’ve got!”
Grace will play Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Gotham City police commissioner Jim Gordon. Batgirl’s debut into the DC Universe took place in the season 3 premiere of the 1967 TV series Batman. Over the years, there have been several live-action and animated versions of the character, including Alicia Silverstone (Clueless) playing her in 1997’s Batman & Robin.
Grace is one of three DC Universe superhero characters recently announce to be played by a Latina actress. Earlier this year, Sasha Calle (The Young and the Restless) was cast as Supergirl for next year’s movie, The Flash. Additionally, Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) was cast as a daughter of Atlas in the sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
In the days following up to Grace’s announcement, there was a reported group of actresses revealed to be in consideration for the Batgirl role — a list that included Grace. According to Deadline, that lineup featured fellow Latina Isabela Merced (Dora and the Lost City of Gold), Zoey Deutch (The Politician), and Haley Lu Richardson (Five Feet Apart).
Many comic book fans couldn’t hold in their excitement for the news about Grace.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new Batgirl movie will likely debut in 2023.