‘I Can’t Help But Think Of Batgirl.’ The Toxic Avenger Director Says It Was No Picnic For The Peter Dinklage Movie To Sit On The Shelf

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Starring Peter Dinklage, the latest adaptation of “The Toxic Avenger” was long-awaited. Filming began as far back as 2021, and it made its debut at Fantastic Fest in 2023. However, its distribution has been a struggle mainly because of its explicit content. Now, the wait for the movie is finally over, as the unrated version hits theaters this weekend. But rest assured, writer/director Macon Blair must have experienced a lot of tension similar to that surrounding the troubled “Batgirl” project during the long delay.

Recently, it’s been just a few years since Warner Bros. decided to scrap plans for the release of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah’s Batgirl, starring Leslie Grace and Brendan Fraser. In an interview with IndieWire, Blair admitted that the fate of this project has continued to weigh on him as he sought distribution for The Toxic Avenger. He confessed that the abrupt ending of that film’s journey, along with the struggle of the now-saved Coyote vs. Acme, left him worried that his own movie might never see the daylight. To put it simply, Blair was haunted by the Batgirl cancellation and fearful for the future of his own project.

Absolutely, it was undeniably tense when waiting on the sidelines. I find myself often reminded of the adventures of Batgirl, Coyote, and Acme, and such comparisons come to mind. However, Legendary wasn’t like that from the start, as they were already rocking and rolling. But above them, there are numerous complex layers.

Legendary Pictures, known for their iconic productions, teamed up with Troma Entertainment, the studio behind the popular Toxic Avenger series, to produce the film. Blair acknowledges Legendary’s unwavering support for his movie, a directorial sequel to his 2017 hit “I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore”. However, during an extended phase, he had concerns that the industry’s financial dynamics might prevent his labor of love from securing distribution.

Sometimes, one might find themselves surprised when someone views a spreadsheet and thinks, “This information could hold even greater worth in another form.” Yet, I’ve always had confidence in the dedication of the team at Legendary, as they consistently put forth maximum effort and never slowed down their progress.

Fortunately, the unconventional horror-comedy “The Toxic Avenger” has found a savior. In early 2025, Cineverse – known for stirring up a storm last year with the nationwide release of Damien Leone’s brutal slasher film “Terrifier 3”, becoming an underground sensation – secured the rights to distribute “The Toxic Avenger”. This weekend, it’s being shown across the country. You can find screening locations near you by checking Fandango.

This movie narrates the tale of a solitary janitor named Winston Gooze, who following an encounter with hazardous waste, develops abilities and transforms into a mop-using vigilante known as The Toxic Avenger. The gifted ensemble for this independent project includes Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Elijah Wood, and Kevin Bacon. It’s hoped that the uplifting conclusion of this film’s journey will serve as inspiration to other filmmakers whose work may be uncertain in the future.

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2025-08-30 03:38