Batman to return to TV?

[Captaindemotion]

I apologise for submitting yet another Batman thread to the board but this one doesn't seem to really be appropriate to either of the Nolan/ Dark Knight Rises threads currently being contributed to.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/batman_movies/news/?a=25237 reports that when the Nolan series completes - most likely with TDKR, WB may well bring the titular character to tv. Here's what they're saying:

WB has no plans to rush out another Batman Movie once Chris Nolan has completed The Dark Knight Rises. Instead, the heads in power are looking at something to do with TV.

The idea comes from the successful tv transitions of SmallVille and Sherlock Holmes--the Hartswood Films/BBC Television show of the same name starring Benedict Cumberbatch that screened recently.

So, WB is looking at putting together a live action Batman TV series. 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, but he wants a real world feel with young adult audiences in mind".

It has also been mentioned that this is a way to re-introduce The Joker as a completely new version and not step on Heath’s memory/version, as WB knows this is a sensitive subject. They believe that the Joker alone will garner ratings through the roof and are already planning on a closed set with extremely tight security to prevent any leaked footage.

The Actor they have mentioned as a "type" to play Batman/Bruce Wayne is Karl Urban. Karl plays Dr. McCoy in the new Star Trek franchise.
​

Keep in mind, that this VERY EARLY talk, but if it is true that a WB head has been put in charge of development, it shows that they are indeed serious about a move to the small screen.

I like the comparison with Sherlock but not so sure about the Smallville one, even if that show rose from the original idea about a young Bruce Wayne one. But with Hulk and Wonder Woman returning to the small screen, might it be too crowded a market for Mr Cowlypants to trade his brooding wares?

I think this might be a good idea. The Nolanverse has been so ggod and so successful that a soon-to-follow cinematic reboot like Hulk or the new Spider-man will have some awfully big boots (and cape, gauntlets etc) to fill. But ideally, I'd like to see this on HBO or AMC.

 

[Jetfire]

It will follow The Vampire Diaries on The CW...I can see it now!

 

[Gaith]

The only reason I could see them doing this would be not do anything to discourage Nolan from making another Bat-movie as/after he oversees the Superman reboot. Otherwise, it'd be amazing restraint on their part not to keep making movies post-Nolan, as movies make so much more than series.

Interesting, though.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Um that's from comicbookmovies so it's bullshit since it hasn't shown up on any reputable websites yet and Warner Bros hasn't lifted the Batman Embargo, if it did Bruce would have shown up on "Smallville" this season. Bullshit story until it shows up on somewhere legit.

 

[Gaith]

^ And even if it isn't, "very early discussions" could just mean "pro forma brainstorming". Even if the did have a guy working on a pitch, that would in no way mean that it'd be their first choice on how to proceed.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

A few of us on this board have been saying for years that this could work. The timing is good, too, as a fourth film directed by Nolan seems unlikely.

There's no reason they couldn't do it on a television budget, as long as they kept it fairly "real world"--no Batmobiles driving over the biceps of giant statues.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I've read nothing from Geoff Johns about a Batman TV series in development or even remotely close to being considered and he would be one of the people involved in something like that. If there was legit news on a Batman TV series we'd hear it first from Geoff. That's his job.

 

[Buck Rogers]

This what I said to GreaterTater on ScreenRant.

I agree,and you and I are the same page so to speak with regards to Robin,but if following The Dark Knight Rises is what it takes to intro Dick Grayson the way I visualized the character in the Nolan-Verse the show would continue Dick's training in becoming Robin probably mid to late Season one with him begging Bruce to ride with him on patrol until Bruce relents and has Fox create a "Robin Suit" based upon Bruce's current design with a half-hood equipped with communications,HUD,a cape similar to Bruce's except it would be yellow or gold color the breastplate would be in red with black stylized "R" on the left his bottom half of the suit would be green all the way to the boots his gauntlets,gloves would also be green,the utility belt would have Robin based weapons, grappling gun etc.
Season two would continue Dick's journey into Bruce's secret world of colorful Villains by season three Dick is transfered to a Gotham City High School where he's told by Bruce to become part of the student body as a cover for his identity as Robin.Season four could be a cliffhanger where after Dick completes High School,and is getting ready to leave Bruce/Batman for College Season five has Bruce training a new Robin(Tim Drake),and Dick has to become Nightwing.So it's gradual process that will keep audiences tuning even past season five.
That's my take on this topic.
So any thoughts sorry to be repetitive from a previous thread on Batman,but I couldt pass this up to comment on it.
Signed
Buck Rogers

 

[Captaindemotion]

It will follow The Vampire Diaries on The CW...I can see it now!

Combine them both as The Vampire Bat Diaries.

AICN suggests that this may also be in the Smallville mould, which would certainly be one way of distinguishing it from Nolan's movies. But I think such a show would alienate Batfans. If they want to do a Batmanverse series aimed at younger viewers, I think one about Dick Grayson in his early Nightwing days, omitting Bruce/ Batman is the way to go.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/47461

 

[Lapis Exilis]

Spiff, Remember back in the day our little brainstorming thread on a Batman/ Gotham Central type tv series? Lots of emphasis on the GCPD and its officers dealing with rampant crime plus this vigilante counterpointed to Bruce Wayne's life among the filthy rich and wildly corrupt powers that be of Gotham. It's such a rich world, and relatively easy to keep grounded if people can resist the urge to go over the top. Which includes not making Bruce Wayne the richest man in the world, but simply the scion of one wealthy family among many in Gotham.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I'm gonna wait until this hits a legit site before speculating or getting excited.

 

[Dick Whitman]

The part that really stands out as dubious is already plans to close the set to film the Joker. You don't think about stuff like that in the early stages of development. This seems to be written by a fan to get other fellow fans excited. Playing on the "wow, awesome" factor not on anything else.

 

[Admiral_Young]

^ Pretty much.

 

[byron lomax]

I've wondered about a Batman TV series for a long time. I do think it could conceivably work, one reason being his impressive rogue's gallery, which could provide threats on a regular rotating basis; plus the fact that Batman is engaged in constant war with crime and evil in Gotham, something that small series of films have difficulty in bringing across. I'd love to see adaptions of classic Batman/Detective Comics issues (though of course the writers would have to create their own material for the most part).

Which includes not making Bruce Wayne the richest man in the world, but simply the scion of one wealthy family among many in Gotham.

I agree that this would be an obvious choice to make.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Here is someone who agrees with me....

http://www.chud.com/articles/articl...AY-BATMAN-TV-SERIES-IN-DEVELOPMENT/Page1.html

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Nananananananana...BATMAN!

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I even have a working title: The Dark Knight Compromises

 

[Captaindemotion]

Here is someone who agrees with me....

http://www.chud.com/articles/articl...AY-BATMAN-TV-SERIES-IN-DEVELOPMENT/Page1.html

I think we're all somewhat cynical about the provenance of this story, but 5 posts to say basically the same thing?

 

[lennier1]

By now we're pretty much at the point where a full-scale adaption could only be financed in form of a cartoon (not the usual kiddie crap). Anything else and you'll only end up with half-assed versions like Smallville or Blade. Even Birds Of Prey ran into the limitations of a TV show and it required only a fraction of the arsenal Batman uses.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Damn straight five posts to call out that site's bad reporting To the topic of a Batman TV series, I do remember the Gotham Central series that Spiff and others (wasn't Marlowe involved in that too?) came up with and quite liked their premise, I remember Marlowe's thread where we all contributed in suggesting our own Batman TV series (maybe it was the same thread). Good times, I miss Marlowe.