Leslie Grace thanks fans for 'love and belief' after her 'Batgirl' movie is scrapped

Watch: Batgirl won't be released on HBO Max or in theatres

Leslie Grace has thanked fans for their "love and belief" after her Batgirl movie was scrapped just months before its planned release.

The film based on DC Comics character Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl) – and also starring Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser – is thought to have cost over £57m to make and was due to be unveiled late this year.

But Warner Bros has suddenly shelved it amid reports that it had poor reviews in test screenings.

Read more: Leslie Grace gives first glimpse of Batgirl costume

Grace, who was playing the title character, has now addressed the news on Instagram, saying she was "#Batgirl for life".

"Querida familia!" she captioned the post, which included photos and video clips of her in character and making the movie in Glasgow.

"On the heels of the recent news about our movie 'Batgirl' I am proud of the love, hard work and intention all of our incredible cast and tireless crew put into this film over 7 months in Scotland.

"I feel blessed to have worked among absolute greats and forged relationships for a lifetime in the process!

"To every Batgirl fan - THANK YOU for the love and belief, allowing me to take on the cape and become, as Babs said best, 'my own damn hero!'"

"#Batgirl for life!" she added.

The film's directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have also spoken out, admitting they were “shocked”.

They posted a statement on Instagram saying that they wished fans could have had the “opportunity to see and embrace the final film themselves”.

"We are saddened and shocked by the news," they said.

"We still can’t believe it.

“As directors, it is critical that our work be shown to audiences, and while the film was far from finished, we wish that fans all over the world would have had the opportunity to see and embrace the final film themselves. Maybe one day they will insha’Allah."

The filmmakers also thanked the cast and crew for doing a "tremendous job", and said Grace portrayed Batgirl with "so much passion, dedication and humanity".

Read more: Batman premieres through the years: All the stars on the red carpets

They added: “In any case, as huge fans of Batman since we were little kids, it was a privilege and an honor to have been a part of the DCEU (the DC extended universe), even if it was for a brief moment.

“Batgirl For Life."