Batman TV Show in the Works?

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Moviehole

New Live Action Batman Series in the Works?

Joel Schumacher won’t be answering to the call of the illuminated but foggy Bat Signal this time. When “The Dark Knight Rises” is completed, Warner Bros are said to be putting the “Batman” film franchise to bed for a while – they won’t, unlike the last time, add some civil war bandage to the bat’s decrepit wings to keep it flying. Nope, they’re as keen as director Christopher Nolan is to see the series go out on top. Naturally Batman will return to the big screen sometime – but that film, be it the long-rumoured “Batman vs. Superman” or a new take on the character, likely won’t happen for quite a few years, and most likely, Nolan won’t be involved. He’ll be handing in his keys to Wayne Manor after 2012′s “Dark Knight Rising”.

So where will we be able to get our Bat Fix? Dress Up day at the local creche?The Cartoon Network?

Via the character’s brief appearances on “Robot Chicken”?
Maybe. But Warner is also said to be considering bringing Bruce Wayne to the small screen – a’la “Smallville”.

”WB is looking at putting together a live action Batman TV series”, an insider tells ComicBookMovie. “The Head Executive in charge (name removed to protect source) who has overseen the development and production of such notable hits as: “Two and a Half Men”, “The Mentalist”, “ER”, “The West Wing”, “Without A Trace” and “Friends”, has been given the task. He would like to keep it in line with the Nolan movies. No word on any stories or script except “keep it in-line with the real world and with young adult audiences in mind”.”

And with The Joker no longer a part of the third “Batman” movie (he was originally going to appear in the film – incarcerated and de-joked, much like Hannibal Lecter – as someone the Caped Crusader reluctantly asks to assist him on a case) the opportunity now lies to reintroduce the character in the form of a TV series. Had Heath Ledger been alive, he wouldn’t have reprised the role for TV anyway, so it wouldn’t at all be disrespectful having another actor play the role on the small screen as opposed to the big.

The site says that the TV series would pit Batman against The Joker. While an actor is yet to be associated with the prospective series’ clown prince of crime, the site says “Star Trek” and “Red” star Karl Urban is the favourite to don the cowl. But seriously, how likely is it that Urban, who has emerged as quite the superstar in recent years, is going to want to do TV?

I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that a Batman TV series is in development, not only because of the success of the films but because the long-running and successful “Smallville” is coming to an end this year, but for the moment, consider this all a big fat rumour. Might not go anywhere.

Heck, even if it is true, it might not go anywhere. After all, this isn’t the first time a Batman TV series has been in development that ultimately didn’t go to air. Remember “Bruce Wayne”, the planned television series focusing on a young Bruce Wayne before he became Batman? That was all set to go, until Warners decided the character would be better off in film and so ditched plans for “Bruce Wayne” and greenlit the Darren Aronofsky-directed “Batman Year One”. “Bruce Wayne” would ultimately be rewritten and rethought, resulting in “Smallville” – concentrating on a young Superman, rather than a young Batman.

“Bruce Wayne”, written by Tim McCanlies, could’ve been quite good though. It told Wayne’s backstory and how and why he became the Caped Crusader (which, of course, Nolan would answer in “Batman Begins” a couple of years later). At the time, Shawn Ashmore (Who would play Jimmy Olsen on “Smallville”) was in the running to play Wayne, Michael Rosenbaum (who would play Lex Luthor on “Smallville”) was up for Harvey Dent, and David Krumholtz (“Numbers”) was said to be in contention to play Jim Gordon.
But as I said, the Warner brass decided that they wanted to get Batman back on the big screen. The TV department didn’t agree, but alas, the big-wigs won.

”DC Comics said it was the best thing they’d ever read, you know, blah blah and so, but we got into a big-pissing contest between the feature side and the movie side, and so they wouldn’t let us move forward on that”, writer McCanlies told UGO.

“The Bruce Wayne script was sort of the era of Bruce Wayne nobody’s ever seen. He was the teen and doesn’t know what to do with his life, but he’s very wealthy, sort of like JFK, Jr.This would be like two years before he really does that. He’s flailing around with, “What should I do with my life?” He’s got like a chip on his shoulder. He’s a master of martial arts because he’s got all this fury in him, but he hasn’t decided that’s what he’s going to do yet.”
McCanlies said in another interview that Clark Kent would have also been in the series.

“There’s a newspaper editors convention in Gotham City,” he explained in a 2004 interview, “and this kid Clark Kent shows up. Bruce wants nothing to do with him, but for some reason they’re thrown together. He keeps trying to lose this kid but he can’t. You have to know who Clark Kent is to get the joke. I never reveal who this guy is. He’s just this very surprising 16-year-old from Smallville, Kansas.”

”The pilot was great, and David Goyer is treading on some of the same areas that I did in the pilot with his new Batman script. So that may preempt the pilot.”

Indeed it did.

One element of the show, having Alfred the Butler narrating, was saved for the “Batman” spin-off series “Birds of Prey” a few years later.

Source

[Darth Anakin]

I LOL'd. I just don't see this happening any time soon as long as the movies keep pulling down money hand over fist.

[detective392]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

I LOL'd. I just don't see this happening any time soon as long as the movies keep pulling down money hand over fist.

It would be made after the 3rd Batman movie so they wouldn't be competing with the movie's.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by detective392

It would be made after the 3rd Batman movie so they wouldn't be competing with the movie's.

Yep. As the article points out they're thinking about putting the big screen Caped Crusader to bed for a while after The Dark Knight Rises. I'm honestly ok with this. This makes the most sense to me. Let DC focus on OTHER characters as movies and just do this as a TV show. It would make me feel better if DC wasn't so focused on Batman and Superman movies all the time

[Darth Anakin]

Originally Posted by pj_campbell

Yep. As the article points out they're thinking about putting the big screen Caped Crusader to bed for a while after The Dark Knight Rises. I'm honestly ok with this. This makes the most sense to me. Let DC focus on OTHER characters as movies and just do this as a TV show. It would make me feel better if DC wasn't so focused on Batman and Superman movies all the time

I still don't see DC starting a show on the CW about Batman, as badly as that channel does. Wouldn't even be 1% of the money another Batman movie would pull down.

[detective392]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

I still don't see DC starting a show on the CW about Batman, as badly as that channel does. Wouldn't even be 1% of the money another Batman movie would pull down.

It wouldn't necessarily be on the CW like Smallville they were just using that as an example of a Batman show. Also the movies are done for a few years after The Dark Rises so I don't see why DC wouldn't make a show as they won't be making a new movie anytime soon but can have a TV show until we do get a new movie.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

I still don't see DC starting a show on the CW about Batman, as badly as that channel does. Wouldn't even be 1% of the money another Batman movie would pull down.

It could possibly go on another network. You never know. Like it says, its still an early rumor. It may not even happen. To the like, or dislike, of some fans.

[ArrestedDevelopment]

“The Head Executive in charge (name removed to protect source) who has overseen the development and production of such notable hits as: “Two and a Half Men”, “The Mentalist”, “ER”, “The West Wing”, “Without A Trace” and “Friends”, has been given the task.

Screw that, I'm outta here.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by batman713

Screw that, I'm outta here.

Really? The West Wing and The Mentalist are both great. Friends is still considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, and ER is one of the greatest and longest running dramas of all time. I think this is definitely a plus for this show.

[Darth Anakin]

Originally Posted by pj_campbell

Really? The West Wing and The Mentalist are both great. Friends is still considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, and ER is one of the greatest and longest running dramas of all time. I think this is definitely a plus for this show.

I'm a big Batman fan too, I own all the available Batman blus except Gotham Knight and I will get Beyond but I don't like this idea either. If they really do put this on the CW, my mind may be changed if they pick hot enough girls for the lead roles.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

I'm a big Batman fan too, I own all the available Batman blus except Gotham Knight and I will get Beyond but I don't like this idea either. If they really do put this on the CW, my mind may be changed if they pick hot enough girls for the lead roles.

I'm a big batman fan too, I think it's a good idea as long as it's done right. I guess different tastes and all that but if someone has that many critically acclaimed shows under the belt I wouldn't doubt their skills

[Clark Kent]

I hope this show never leaves development, thus never making it to air. The show will not be about Batman at all, but a hip 20-something that happens to be named Bruce Wayne.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

I hope this show never leaves development, thus never making it to air. The show will not be about Batman at all, but a hip 20-something that happens to be named Bruce Wayne.

That's a really negative attitude towards the show. If it's anything like Smallville it will be good, and if we're lucky we'd get another good 10 years of TV. At least that's what i'm hoping for.

[detective392]

Originally Posted by pj_campbell

That's a really negative attitude towards the show. If it's anything like Smallville it will be good, and if we're lucky we'd get another good 10 years of TV. At least that's what i'm hoping for.

Yeah I love Smallville and would love to see a Batman show just like it or even a Batman show that takes a different route from the origin role.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by detective392

Yeah I love Smallville and would love to see a Batman show just like it or even a Batman show that takes a different route from the origin role.

Yea. I'm gonna hope for the best and if it makes it to development I will be excited. It's not even necessarily going to happen, although I think it's a good route for WB to take once The Dark Knight Rises is over.

[detective392]

Originally Posted by pj_campbell

Yea. I'm gonna hope for the best and if it makes it to development I will be excited. It's not even necessarily going to happen, although I think it's a good route for WB to take once The Dark Knight Rises is over.

Yeah they should do it while Batman's at his highest in popularity. They also need something to fill the void Smallville left even though I hope that spot get's taken by a Green Arrow spin-off.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by detective392

Yeah they should do it while Batman's at his highest in popularity. They also need something to fill the void Smallville left even though I hope that spot get's taken by a Green Arrow spin-off.

I'm hoping for a Green Arrow show too. I'd be really excited if they did that

[detective392]

Originally Posted by pj_campbell

I'm hoping for a Green Arrow show too. I'd be really excited if they did that

Yeah I would rather have a Green Arrow show then a Batman one as I don't think we will be getting a Green Arrow movie anytime soon and Batman will always be getting movies.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by detective392

Yeah I would rather have a Green Arrow show then a Batman one as I don't think we will be getting a Green Arrow movie anytime soon and Batman will always be getting movies.

DC still doesn't really know how to deal with its characters. I'm really hoping we eventually get a Green Arrow movie or TV show, but I have a feeling it's going to be a while

[detective392]

Originally Posted by pj_campbell

DC still doesn't really know how to deal with its characters. I'm really hoping we eventually get a Green Arrow movie or TV show, but I have a feeling it's going to be a while

Yeah really wish they gave us more then just Batman and Superman. I mean the whole DCU movies were supposed to be for hero's who won't get a big screen movie and now it's either Batman or Superman. Green Arrow was only allowed a 10 min short.