The star of DC film Batgirl says hearing the news that Warner Bros had decided to scrap the film was like “deflating a balloon”.
American actress Leslie Grace admitted that there were “obstacles” affecting the recording process in Scotland, but said she was still grateful for the experience.
The decision that the film would be scrapped was made suddenly last August, just months before it was due to be released.
Filmed entirely in Scotland, it also starred Oscar-nominated actor Brendan Fraser, as well as Michael Keaton and JK Simmons.
Speaking to US trade magazine Variety, Grace said she found out about the news “just like the rest of you” – after reading media reports.
When asked if there were any signs that the production “wouldn’t work”, she said, “I’m not going to lie to you. In every movie there are obstacles, and our movie was nothing short of that.
“Half the shoots were night shoots in Scotland, where it never stops raining.
“So there were obstacles, but at the end of the day, because of the incredible crew, nothing ever got in the way of us delivering what we knew we wanted to deliver for this movie.”
She added, “Even though I would have loved to share that with the rest of the world, nothing can take that experience away from us.”
Batgirl was reportedly costing an estimated $70 million (£57.6 million) and the film was set to release in late 2022, though the decision to cancel the release was reportedly due to poor screen testing.
In January last year, the Trongate area of Glasgow was transformed by set builders into Gotham City for the production, with modifications to shopfronts and police cars.
The film would focus on Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Gotham Police Commissioner Jim Gordon.
In an online statement following the announcement, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah said they were “saddened and shocked” by the news that they wished fans would have a “chance to see and embrace the final film for themselves.”
Fraser, who garnered a Best Actor nomination at this year’s Oscars for his performance in The Whale, told Variety that the news about Batgirl had been a “gut punch.”
The actor said the most “regrettable” part of Warner Bros’ decision was that “an entire generation of little girls will have to wait longer to see a Batgirl and say, ‘Hey, she looks like me’.”