It's a bizarre time for Warner Bros. Discovery. Since the two companies merged, more than 25 shows and movies have been pulled from the HBO Max streaming service. In addition to that, numerous projects that were in various stages of production have been canceled. This is all due to tax write-offs for the entertainment giant, which happened under the leadership of new CEO David Zaslav.
It can all be tough to keep track of; however, we've got all the info you need. Throughout the whirlwind of news coming out of Warner Bros. Discovery, a large selection of movies and TV shows won't be seeing the light of day as originally planned. And these include high-profile, highly-anticipated projects from Scooby Doo to DC Entertainment, as well as projects with big names attached.
Below, you'll find all the TV shows and movies that were canceled by Warner Bros. Discovery. Now, they may be dead for now, but there's a small chance they could find a new home somewhere else; but let's not get too hopeful. Anyway, here are a bunch of things you'll probably never see.
1. Batgirl
The most notable cancellation was Batgirl, getting the axe on August 3. The film was deep into post-production, with test screenings already taking place. Warner Bros. Discovery actually blocked co-directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from accessing the footage. At the end of August, the "funeral screenings" were reportedly held for Batgirl.
2. Strange Adventures
The anthology series that was planned for HBO Max is no longer happening. Taking place in the DC Universe, the Greg Berlanti-produced series was to showcase lesser-known characters in the DCU. Kevin Smith was to direct and co-write an episode of the show and said on his podcast Hollywood Babble-On that killing the show in preproduction "kind of made sense to me. Nobody necessarily knows these characters, and it sounded like an expensive show."
3. Batman: Caped Crusader
There were plenty of people excited for this upcoming Batman animated series. Produced by JJ Abrams, this animated show was being worked on by both Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) and Matt Reeves (The Batman). From the few descriptions we got, this was going to be a more adult--in way of themes and tone--Batman show. While it's no longer in the hands of Warner Bros. Discovery, the creative team is still looking for a new home for the show.
4. Merry Little Batman
Almost a year after the animated special was announced, it was pulled by Warner Bros. Discovery. The special was to follow a young Damian Wayne in Wayne Manor. And of course, he has to confront Batman villains. It was to be directed by Mike Roth (Regular Show). It was in post-production before getting the ax.
5. Scoob! Holiday Haunt
The followup to the 2020 HBO Max movie, Holiday Haunt was to follow Scooby-Doo's first Christmans--as he and the gang went to Fred's uncle's resort. Of course, there's ghostly things happening too. Animation had been finished, and so was the editing, when the movie had been axed. And even though the movie wasn't going forward, producer Tony Cervone noted the score was still being recorded. In a now deleted post from Iain Armitage, who voices young Shaggy, he and others who worked on the movie got to see a near-completed version of Holiday Haunt.
6. The Day The Earth Blew Up
The feature-length Looney Tunes movie was going to be released on HBO Max before getting pulled by Warner Bros. Discovery in late August. The film could still find a home on another streaming service in the future. The story revolves around Porky and Daffy who uncover an alien plot to control everyone's minds. Kevin Costello (Tom and Jerry) served as the writer.
7. Bye Bye Bunny
Two months after the Looney Tunes musical was announced, Warner Bros. Discovery canceled it. The HBO Max movie was going to follow Bugs Bunny on Broadway, who decides to step away and live a regular life. Daffy Duck takes his place on the stage, and after an obsessive fan kidnaps him, Bugs has to step back in and save him. While it won't be on HBO Max, it could find a home somewhere else in the future.
8. Did I Do That To The Holidays: A Steve Urkel Story
Jaleel White was headed to return as the annoying neighbor from Family Matters, Steve Urkel, in this animated holiday special. Urkel has to help fix the overall holiday spirit and invents something to do so.
9. The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie
Spinning out of the beloved TV show, this movie was supposed to follow Gumball's biggest fan finding an unaired episode of the series and then opening a door to Gumball's cartoon world. Series creator Ben Bocquelet was serving as director and executive producer. It is still being shopped to other outlets.
10. Demimonde
Another JJ Abrams project was canceled by Warner Bros. Discovery. Deminonde was to star Danielle Deadwyler in what was set to be Abrams' first series since Fringe. The show follows a woman torn from her family after an accident.
11. Gordita Chronicles
After being on the air for more than a month, with 10 episodes hitting HBO Max, Gordita Chronicles was canceled and a statement was released stating that "Live-action kids and family programming will not be part of our programming focus in the immediate future," and this show ended up getting the ax. The show followed a Latina reporter looking back on her childhood in the '80s in Miami.
12. Little Ellen
An animated children's series following a young Ellen DeGeneres--but voiced by Laurel Emory--Little Ellen was canceled after the airing of Seasons 1 and 2. However, Seasons 3 and 4 were already completed, and they will not be released. Additionally, the series as a whole was removed from HBO Max entirely.
13. Gentleman Jack
The HBO and BBC One series Gentleman Jack got canceled after two seasons. The show was a historical drama set in 19th century Yorkshire following Anne Lister, a landowner and industrialist. The show has been pulled entirely from HBO Max.
14. Raised By Wolves
Ridley Scott's sci-fi series Raised By Wolves was yet another HBO Max original that was canceled due to budget cuts. The series takes place on an uninhabitable Earth where two androids raise a human child. In a statement from HBO Max back in June, the company said, "While we are not proceeding with a third season of Raised by Wolves, we are beyond grateful to the stellar cast and crew. Our creators Aaron Guzikowski, Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker, and the entire team at Scott Free Productions, for their beautiful artistry and unique ability to immerse fans into the world of Kepler-22b."
15. Time Traveler's Wife
After the first season of the HBO Max series aired, the show was canceled in early July. The show follows a relationship between a man who can travel through time randomly and his wife. Even without the budget cuts, the show may have been on the chopping block, as it was poorly reviewed.
16. Made For Love
Debuting in 2021, Made For Love found itself canceled due to budget cuts after airing Season 2 of the series--even though it was received positively by critics and viewers. The show follows a woman leaving her marriage to a tech mogul. After leaving, she discovers a tracking chip in her brain that collects more than just her location.
17. Close Enough
The animated series was canceled after three seasons, and the show was pulled from HBO Max entirely. It follows a couple in their 30s and their daughter who live with their divorced friends. They go on adventures, which dive into science fiction stories.
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