Joss Whedon reportedly in talks to direct and write 'Batgirl'

The DC Extended Universe's Bat-family is getting a little bit bigger.

A Batgirl movie is reportedly in the works at Warner Bros., with Joss Whedon nearing a deal to write, produce, and direct.

Variety first reported on Whedon's potential involvement. Mashable has reached out for comment. If Whedon signs on, he'll be making an allegiance switch worthy of a comic book storyline. He last directed Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron for DC competitor Marvel Studios.

According to the trade, this is a hot project that was put into development in just the past month. As such, very few details have been revealed at this time. Word is that the Batgirl movie will feature other Bat-associated characters.

Batgirl has been the nom de guerre for several different comic book characters, but Barbara Gordon is probably the most famous and most popular. The character first hit the screen in the 1960s Batman series, where she was portrayed by Yvonne Craig. A variation on the character named Barbara Wilson was featured in 1997's Batman & Robin, with Alicia Silverstone in the role. Most recently, Marvel TV fave Rosario Dawson voiced a tiny plastic version of Batgirl in Warner Bros.' The Lego Batman movie.

If the new Batgirl movie fits into a similar mold as Whedon's other films, it'll probably be lighter and more upbeat than most of what we've seen from the DC franchise so far.

Warner Bros.' DC Extended Universe has been off to a rocky start. Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Suicide Squad all made tons of money but polarized audiences thanks to their grim and gritty vibes. Fortunately, the franchise will have an opportunity to perk things up with this year's Wonder Woman and Justice League. And if that doesn't work, they still have Aquaman to look forward to next year.

At any rate, the studio clearly has no intention of slowing down their DC slate. Also currently in development are The Flash, Cyborg, a Suicide Squad sequel, the Suicide Squad spinoff Gotham City Sirens, the Shazam spinoff starring Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam, and a Batman solo film.