Director Matt Reeves is developing another The Batman spinoff series for HBO Max, this time a show centered on Arkham Asylum.
The Batman universe is expanding with yet another spinoff series as Matt Reeves has revealed that an Arkham Asylum-related show is in the works. The Dark Knight is returning to the big screen with Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne in Warner Bros.'s latest DC reboot. While there have been multiple Batman franchises in the past, The Batman is starting something that Warner Bros. couldn't do previously. With the existence of HBO Max, the studio is using the platform to bring multiple spinoff series to life from The Batman universe. Reeves, who helmed the first installment, will serve as an executive producer on all the shows, which is more than fitting.
The first series that got put into development is the Gotham P.D.-centric drama, reportedly titled GCPD. The 1-hour drama will be taking place during Batman's first year as a crime fighter and focus on the GCPD's perspective during that time period. Joe Barton boarded the project as showrunner in 2020 after Terrence Winter exited the GCPD spinoff due to creative differences. Colin Farrell, who is bringing Oswald Cobblepot to life in The Batman, will also star in The Penguin, a spinoff revolving more around his life as a crime lord. An offshoot for Zoë Kravitz's Catwoman has also been discussed, but nothing has been set in stone just yet.
While neither show has gone into production, it appears Reeves is already planning his third spinoff show from The Batman franchise. In an interview with Toronto Sun, the filmmaker gave a few updates on Farrell's The Penguin series. In the midst of the discussion, Reeves brought up that a series that will be heavily related to Arkham Asylum is also in the development phase. It's key to note that Warner Bros. has not given it a pilot or straight-to-series order as this is the first time an Arkham Asylum-inspired drama has been brought, with Reeves sharing the following:
“We’re doing this Penguin series and one of the great things about that is Colin Farrell — he’s like you’ve never seen him. He’s so incredible and he’s a scene-stealer. Along the way, we thought maybe we could do (his character) as a series. So I talked to HBO Max and showed them Colin in the movie and spoke to them about what this could be and they said, ‘Let’s do it.’ So we’re doing that and we’re doing another series that connects to Arkham (Asylum). We are talking and thinking about the next movie, but to be honest with you, at the moment, I really want the audience to connect with this. And I really believe they will because I think Rob is an incredible Batman.”
Arkham Asylum has always been a key element in Batman stories, mostly known as the mental institution that the Caped Crusader's foes break out of constantly. It's worth noting that Reeves may have meant that the GCPD show is what connects to Arkham, but that remains to be seen. However, should Arkham Asylum be a separate show, it would be the first time the institution has been given this much focus in live-action. However, it wouldn't be the first rodeo for DC to do something heavily centered on Arkham Asylum as the comic publication has done multiple Arkham Asylum books in the past.
In concept, doing a show around Arkham Asylum has some intriguing potential as there are a few angles they can focus on. Dan Slott's Arkham Asylum: Living Hell is a good example that the series could draw inspiration from, where the 2003 mini-series focused on various POVs within Arkham. If the show goes forward and is eyed to run for multiple seasons, Arkham Asylum would likely benefit from a 5-6 episode order. It'll be easier to determine what HBO Max could do with that sort of spinoff as The Batman hit theaters this week.
Source: Toronto Sun
