Black Lightning’ DC Superhero Series In Works From Greg Berlanti, Mara Brock Akil & Salim Akil

[JD]

I'm kind of surprised to see this new since the head of The CW had said in the past they weren't going to pick up any more superhero shows.
If it does end up on The CW I can't see them leaving it isolated from the other DC shows. I like the idea of putting it in the same universe as Supergirl.

 

[Christopher]

What, they can't just use portals to crossover with Earth-BL?

Sure, hypothetically, they could. But since the pilot hasn't been shot yet, they still have the option of reworking the premise to fit it into one of the existing CW Earths. This early in the process, there's room for more than one possible outcome. Listing one of the possibilities doesn't mean ruling out the others.

I'm kind of surprised to see this new since the head of The CW had said in the past they weren't going to pick up any more superhero shows.

They said they weren't actively seeking to develop any, but this is one that was developed elsewhere and then became available. So a lot of the initial work and investment on the project has already been done by others, so it's kind of a windfall. Indeed, this would be the third comics project The CW has rescued from another network, after Supergirl and Riverdale (though only Supergirl actually made it to air first). Fourth, if you count the Constantine animated revival that's coming on CW Seed.

 

[Christopher]

And it's official! The CW has picked up the BL pilot. That was quick. No word yet on what universe it'll be in, though.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Just to mix things up it will be in the Riverdale Universe.

 

[JD]

Cool. As long as they can keep up the quality I'm happy to get more CW/DC superhero shows.

 

[kirk55555]

This definitely seems like it could be interesting. More DCTV is a good thing.

 

[N-121973]

Okay, let's just rename the network The BerlantiW.

If BL does move there, I wonder if it'll be on Earth-1 (Arrowverse), Earth-38 (Supergirl), or some other Earth. As I've said before, the premise of BL being an older superhero coming out of retirement doesn't particularly fit Earth-1, unless he was very secretive the first time out, but it could fit well enough into Earth-38's history. And it'd be nice to give that Earth a second series to balance out the three Earth-1 series.

It could fit Earth-1 if you think about the fact that it has already been established that there were superheroes on Earth-1 prior to Green Arrow's debut. Although he was a street-level vigilante in the Glades there was Wildcat, but nobody on the SCPD mentioned him before. And then there was the JSA in World War 2, many of whose members were meta-humans. And who knows how long the present-day Vixen or John Constantine were running around. So there is a precedent.

 

[Christopher]

It could fit Earth-1 if you think about the fact that it has already been established that there were superheroes on Earth-1 prior to Green Arrow's debut. Although he was a street-level vigilante in the Glades there was Wildcat, but nobody on the SCPD mentioned him before. And then there was the JSA in World War 2, many of whose members were meta-humans. And who knows how long the present-day Vixen or John Constantine were running around. So there is a precedent.

Yes, we know there were heroes operating before Ollie, but they weren't publicly known. The JLA's existence was classified, Wildcat wasn't widely known, and Constantine dealt with mystical phenomena that weren't known to the public (plus he's not a superhero, more a mystical detective). What I'm saying is that if Black Lightning were done as an Earth-1 show, that would impose the constraint that he would've had to operate in secret in his former career. Whereas if the show were on Earth-38 or a new Earth, that constraint wouldn't be there. I'm not saying either is impossible; I'm just discussing how different Earths would call for different approaches.

And we know exactly how long the Mari McCabe Vixen was running around, because the first season of her web series was her origin story, and it takes place somewhere around Arrow episode 3:16, "The Offer."

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Anyone ever watch Black Dynamite on Adult Swim? Ever since I heard about this show I keep thinking of everyone saying his name constantly: "What d'you think, Black Lightning?" "Yeah, Black Lightning what's it going to be?" "Well, let Black Lightning tell you, Black Lightning ain't down with this."

I assume that won't be the case...

 

[N-121973]

Yes, we know there were heroes operating before Ollie, but they weren't publicly known. The JLA's existence was classified, Wildcat wasn't widely known, and Constantine dealt with mystical phenomena that weren't known to the public (plus he's not a superhero, more a mystical detective). What I'm saying is that if Black Lightning were done as an Earth-1 show, that would impose the constraint that he would've had to operate in secret in his former career. Whereas if the show were on Earth-38 or a new Earth, that constraint wouldn't be there. I'm not saying either is impossible; I'm just discussing how different Earths would call for different approaches.

And we know exactly how long the Mari McCabe Vixen was running around, because the first season of her web series was her origin story, and it takes place somewhere around Arrow episode 3:16, "The Offer."

I have to be honest I never saw the Vixen web series so I didn't know it covered her origin. I guess I'm just trying to figure out how it could work on Earth-1. Perhaps he's another product of Flashpoint or some change in the timeline over on Legends. As for Earth-38 doesn't Kara's comment to Barry & Ollie about how it's just her & Superman as the only heroes on her Earth (though there have been subtle hints dropped about Batman) preclude Black Lightning showing up there?
Answer to my own question: She's being pedantic and she was only speaking of active heroes. Perhaps there was a JSA on Earth-38 during WW2 and their existence was also kept quiet.

 

[DigificWriter]

It's bugging me that this keeps on being identified as a Greg Berlanti series when it's only produced by his company, Berlanti Productions, and he didn't actually have anything to do with its creative development.

 

[Christopher]

It's bugging me that this keeps on being identified as a Greg Berlanti series when it's only produced by his company, Berlanti Productions, and he didn't actually have anything to do with its creative development.

Again, what's your source for that claim? The Variety articles I found from last year said that he was developing it along with the Akils. It was ambiguous about whether he'd be co-creating/writing or just exec-producing, but even if it's the latter, he surely has some input into its creative development, because it is his company. What I've read about how production-company execs at Berlanti's level operate (e.g. J.J. Abrams or Alex Kurtzman) is that the creators/showrunners of the various shows in their stable do report to them regularly, discuss creative and logistical matters, and follow their input and advice. It's not like they're completely unaware of what their own employees are doing. They still provide guidance and have veto power. I'd say it's akin to being the editor of a line of comic books/novels as opposed to being the writer.

 

[DigificWriter]

Again, what's your source for that claim? The Variety articles I found from last year said that he was developing it along with the Akils. It was ambiguous about whether he'd be co-creating/writing or just exec-producing, but even if it's the latter, he surely has some input into its creative development, because it is his company. What I've read about how production-company execs at Berlanti's level operate (e.g. J.J. Abrams or Alex Kurtzman) is that the creators/showrunners of the various shows in their stable do report to them regularly, discuss creative and logistical matters, and follow their input and advice. It's not like they're completely unaware of what their own employees are doing. They still provide guidance and have veto power. I'd say it's akin to being the editor of a line of comic books/novels as opposed to being the writer.

Here's Berlanti's own words on the subject from back in September where he clarifies the nature of his involvement:

“[Black Lightning] was mostly Mara and Salim, who are incredibly talented, and the studio just asked me to godfather them a bit, since this genre is newer for them. But they really have a vision for that show, so I hope I can help them execute it.”

http://screenrant.com/black-lightning-tv-show-berlanti-superhero-camp/

 

[Christopher]

Here's Berlanti's own words on the subject from back in September where he clarifies the nature of his involvement:

Yes, where he says he's helping them execute it. He doesn't say that he has absolutely no connection to it at all. As the head of the production company, of course he's in the loop and can influence things if he so chooses. As I said, like the editor of a novel or comic as opposed to the writer. A good editor lets the writers take the lead in the creative process, but still offers guidance and input and has the authority to approve or reject the writers' choices, or negotiate with them to find a compromise position.

 

[dahj]

I like Berlanti and the Arrowverse, but I'm hoping his creative contributions will be minimal and mostly technical, DC TV superheroes could do with a little variety in creative voices.

 

[Christopher]

I like Berlanti and the Arrowverse, but I'm hoping his creative contributions will be minimal and mostly technical, DC TV superheroes could do with a little variety in creative voices.

All four of the current shows already have their own separate showrunners -- Ali Adler and Andrew Kreisberg for Supergirl, Aaron and Todd Helbing for The Flash, Marc Guggenheim and Wendy Mericle for Arrow, and Phil Klemmer for Legends. Berlanti and Sarah Schechter are in the same executive-producer roles for those shows that they'll be in for BL. After all, no one person has the time to be hands-on showrunner of four different series at the same time, particularly considering that Berlanti is also an EP on Riverdale and NBC's Blindspot (along with Schechter) and is developing a Booster Gold feature film.

 

[dahj]

^^
I meant in the initial creation of the show, I know he probably won't be that involved in the day to day operations nor showrunning.
I'm just saying he created all the Arrowverse shows so far, (co)wrote the pilots and generally set the tone for them, so maybe this time someone else should have a go without that much input from him.

 

[Christopher]

I'm just saying he created all the Arrowverse shows so far, (co)wrote the pilots and generally set the tone for them, so maybe this time someone else should have a go without that much input from him.

It looks like someone else already is having a go with limited input from him. I think we've established that that's the case. But it's not all-or-nothing. He can have input without dominating. Really, it's the same role that plenty of other top-level TV producers play on shows their companies produce once they're big enough that they can no longer play a hands-on role in creating the shows. (Heck, Bad Robot has a ton of shows on the air, but the last time J.J. Abrams personally co-created one was Undercovers in 2010.)

And now that the show is going to be on The CW (assuming it gets past pilot stage), it's impossible to believe that it wouldn't cross over with the other four shows, given how much they've embraced their interconnectedness and how much their audience enjoys it and expects it.

 

[DigificWriter]

@Christopher As far as I know, Berlanti's involvement with Supergirl is far more direct than his involvement with/on the other series, and I believe that he, Ali, and Andrew all share "showrunner" duties on the show.

At the very least, I know he was co-showrunner with Ali on Season 1.

 

[Christopher]

@Christopher As far as I know, Berlanti's involvement with Supergirl is far more direct than his involvement with/on the other series, and I believe that he, Ali, and Andrew all share "showrunner" duties on the show.

At the very least, I know he was co-showrunner with Ali on Season 1.

Kreisberg was definitely co-showrunner on season 1 as well.

Looking over Berlanti's actual writing credits, it seems his only actual teleplay credits are on the 2 parts of the Legends of Tomorrow pilot; everything else on all four shows is just a story co-writing credit, usually on premieres, finales, crossovers, and other big events. That reminds me very much of the role Rick Berman played in the Star Trek franchise. Prior to Enterprise, Berman only wrote two TNG teleplays and otherwise just co-wrote story outlines with the respective showrunners, usually on the big, important episodes like premieres, finales, and 2-parters. He wasn't the showrunner; rather, he was the person the showrunners answered to.

I think some of us tend to make the mistake of assuming that the showrunner is the absolute highest authority on a production. Rather, it's the person in day-to-day charge of the writers' room and the creative process. There's usually a higher executive over the showrunner, often with a degree of creative influence when they choose to exercise it. Sometimes it's ambiguous, like when Jeri Taylor ran the room but answered to Michael Piller as the senior creative executive on late TNG and early VGR, with Piller reporting in turn to Berman.