Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone)

From Batman Wiki

Batgirl
Real name:	Barbara Wilson
Aliases:
Alignment:	Good
Relatives/friends:	Alfred Pennyworth (Uncle) Bruce Wayne/Batman (Partner) Dick Grayson/Robin (Partner and love interest) Margaret Wilson (Mother) Barbara Wilson's Father (Father) Wilson Pennyworth (Uncle)
Characteristics:	Gender - Female Hair - Blonde Eyes - Hazel
Portrayed by:	Alicia Silverstone
Appearances:	Batman & Robin

Batgirl was Batman's second sidekick. She was the niece of Alfred Pennyworth.

[edit] History

Barbara Wilson is the daughter of Margaret Wilson, who is sister to Alfred Pennyworth. Barbara and Alfred have apparently been close throughout Barbara's entire life, particularly when Barbara's mother and father died in a car accident. While Alfred lived in the states working as the Wayne Family butler, Barbara remained in England attending boarding school. However, she felt particularly disgusted at the idea of her uncle working as a servant, and upon discovering that Alfred was ill with a rare disease, flies to the states in order to 'free' him.

Upon arriving in the states, she meets Alfred's 'other family', Dick Grayson (who is immediately attracted to her, and vice-versa) and Bruce Wayne. Bruce invites Barbara to stay, during which Alfred's disease grows steadily worse. While Alfred grows closer to death, he shares with Barbara an encrypted disk, which contains all of Batman's secrets. Barbara immediately hacks the discs, and discovers that Bruce and Dick are Batman and Robin, and that Alfred planned for her future involvement.

Donning a suit designed for her by Alfred, Barbara, now under the guise of Batgirl, defeats Poison Ivy and saves Batman and Robin. Together the three of them defeats Mister Freeze, who was attempting to create a new ice-age, and gain the cure for Alfred's disease. Barbara then officially joins the family.

[edit] Behind the scenes

• This incarnation of Barbara was Alfred Pennyworth's niece and named Barbara Wilson, rather than being James Gordon's daughter, Barbara Gordon, like in the comics. This is due to alterations in Gordon's character where his relationship with Batman is severly downplayed and purely professional.

[edit] Trivia

• She is the second blonde-haired Batgirl. The first was Betty Kane, the first Batgirl (though called "Bat-Girl") and eventually became Flamebird.
• The Batgirl costume used in this film is later repainted and used by Diana Myers who plays Barbara Gordon/Batgirl/Oracle for the shortlived Birds of Prey TV show.
• Although Batgirl normally wears a cowl like Batman, in this film, she only wears the cowl while riding a motor-cycle. Otherwise she uses a mask similar to Robin's.
• Rather than be a red-head like in the comics, Barbara is blonde.
• Barbara and Dick Grayson retain their romantic banter much like in the comics.
• This is the only Batgirl wearing tights, as seen in the suiting up scene.