The CW have scrapped their plans to produce an origins-type show based on the pre-Robin days of Dick Grayson, called… The Graysons.
The decision to axe the show came from the same guy who first approved it, Warner Bros. production president Jeff Robinov. Was Jeff reading Screen Rant?
When The Graysons was first announced, as we reported in early October, no one really took to it out here in the net-verse and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how we’d feel watching what should have been a pre-teen, whose parents eventually die.
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In the comics mythos, Dick Grayson develops into the potential of what was to become Robin, the crime-fighting partner of The Batman, and then in later years, evolve into Nightwing.
But that very well could be the hang up. It’s been said that there were concerns that The Graysons, being on-air during the release of Batman movies in theaters could be a distraction from the silver screen effort. They think that Smallville had something to do with the weak box-office performance of the 2006 effort, Superman Returns. (Dudes: I don’t think Smallville was the problem.)
The Graysons was slated to fill the slot that Smallville will be vacating, if it indeed closes out its existence on television this season. No one has said anything otherwise, but there are suspicions (hopes) out there that Smallville will continue for at least another season.
There are other issues in play behind it all.
Around the “halls” (email) of Screen Rant, we fellow scribes got to talking about some aspects of this issue. Carl Lee wondered what with Marvel bringing The Avengers to the screen, you’d think that Warner Bros. would need to mount a similar, competitive effort.
But Vic reminded us that Nolan has stated that there are no superheroes in his Batman universe. If WB wants to merge characters, they’ll probably be doing it without Nolan and probably without Bale. To me, if WB tried moving forward with such an effort, it would be complicated.
If WB actually gave it a go, we’d probably get another version (different actor) of Batman. And that kind of discontinuity is distracting and disappointing.
If WB could somehow bring it together, Robert Keyes thinks it would be amazing to see Christian Bale on screen with Brandon Routh as Supers and Ryan Gosling as Green Lantern. The fans would probably eat that up.
Since I like Nightwing, if the WB is all hot and bothered to expand on the DC universe, they could consider bringing Nightwing to the small screen to replace Smallville. He’s got the obvious relationship to Batman, but isn’t his partner. With how the team has reinvented Clark Kent, it’s doable. It would be like CSI meets DC. Detective work, drama, action. It could have it all.
Then they could use the show to keep people guessing – energize the viewing public’s curiosity as to if or when Batman might show up or be mentioned. This could even be used as a marketing tool to hint at upcoming Batman movies without having Nightwing actually appear in the movie. It could work. (Or it’s the caffeine talking again.) I mean come on, we just saw a red cape on Smallville last week! Twist it up, keep it fresh. (No, it’s not what you think… really.)
Robert went on to voice his opinion that the Graysons idea being let go was a good one. He didn’t think there’d be any value or worthy stories to the Graysons premise. Without super powers and meteor freaks, who exactly would young Dick Grayson fight? School scandals and teen smoking issues?
Robert also echoed the desire of some of our readers when he said (WB, are you reading this?) WB should continue Smallville under the premise of Metropolis or Superman and continue with the developing story of his evolving character, whichever way that might be with the present creative team of Smallville. As Robert put it, “It’s not like the cast has anything else going on, heh.”
As it stands, one of our newer writers, Carl Lee, said that having Nolan’s concerns addressed would mean keeping heroes in their own respective cities, towns or farms, saying that WB can make it fly with multiple cities and multiple heroes. No guest appearances, no nuthin!
But that’s just the chatter here, in the “halls” of Screen Rant.
As it’s going, Warner Bros. is really allowing the scenario to get complicated and if they’re hoping to compete with the Avengers, they need to start doing something bigger than something on the small screen. Get it focused and under one vision. Kind of like what they’re doing in Smallville, with the Justice League (Which I suspect is a platform they’re probably considering taking Smallville’s place) and the upcoming appearance of the Legion of Super-Heroes. (Oops, did I just let something slip? Stupid fingers.)
For now, we know The Graysons will not swing into our living rooms, so we won’t have to find out how they were going to make the premise work. But now, we wait and see what WB does end up doing.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
Source: Variety
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14 Comments
Its Probably just as well.
The Variety article described The Graysons as “a famous family of JUGGLERS!”
Awesome article Bruce. WB may have a point about overexposure on Superman, but I have to agree with you it wasn’t “Returns” only problem. I haven’t watched “Smallville!” That being the case why was I disappointed in “Superman Returns?” Disappointed, not angered, upset, or seeking therapy for warping my mind. Perhaps investment in “Smallville” would have pushed me into one of the other emotional categories but that’s an empty game at this point.
“Nightwing” would be a good choice IMO. I can certainly agree with you there. The story possibilities are very good and who can say, a story or two could be flashbacks to the Grayson’s’ time. I hope someone at WB IS following SCREENRANT bring on “Nightwing.”
Gary: LOL.
Thanks Old Man. Superman Returns did not do much for me either. I left the theater rather non-plussed.
A Nightwing series sounds sooooo much better. I know enough about him to understand what he is about, but most would be new to me.
A character like Nightwing and a place like Bludhaven would give the writers a lot more freedom for creativity too.
yaaaa!! my name is mentioned!
I love you Bruce
I thought it over and I’m not entirely against a cross-pollination of characters.
Because Green Lantern’s antics have always been a bit immature, Ryan Gosling makes for a doable Green Lantern against the Batman we’ve come to know from Nolan/Bale. I’ve always thought Brandon Routh has been on the small side of Supes, so if it were up to me, I’d change him. Someone with a little more bulk, somewhat comparable to Bale, would be a better fit. Although All-Star Batman & Robin is sort of a hyper-pollination, I think it’s something to aim for and not entirely out of the question. Obviously, it takes a certain understanding of the characters in the DC Universe to integrate their story lines like Marvel has; but as the article states, it also takes vision.
I do have a confession to make. My first script exercises revolved around a Robin origin story and I’ve been meaning to wrap it up.
Mr.Carl.Lee said, “I’ve been meaning to wrap it up.”
Go for it Lee. No time like the present!
Very good article Bruce.
I for one am very happy that the “Graysons” are not going forward. I share the same sentiments that instead of making a new show, they can just continue and expand upon “Smallville”. With how it’s captivating me much more so than that of many seasons past, they should really just keep it going.
I kind of like the “Nightwing” idea but things always gets tricking with the Big Hero movies. On one hand, I love the Nolan “Batman” but on the other, these characters NEED TO MEET & INTERACT. If anything, perhaps Nolan should just finish off Batman as he desires and then move forward to a more cohesive universe like Marvel.
But again, things are complicated. But if for anything, the Graysons “fiasco” is making for great dialogue. Hopefully things will bear good fruit.
Hey all,
Mr. Lee: Agreed – That having different properties integrate for a short period of time to move an interesting story forward can indeed be more complicated than it appears, but not impossible.
Thank you Michael. Appreciate the kudo. (Or is that kudos?)
@the old man
I’ve been meaning to, but my hopes and dreams were slashed with Nolan’s/Bale’s comments and the announcement of The Graysons. I literally stopped writing, which I was doing every day. Now, I find it difficult to get back into the groove. I shall return, but it might not be until the new year.
I know what you mean, been There in several disciplines. Found more of those projects end up in the trash heap than get finished. But sometimes a gem gets recovered. Don’t give up hope.
Nightwing show sounds boss. But for Nolan to say, oh by the way, I’m taking the Batman character and claiming it for myself, ignoring all the rich textual history he’s had, what he’s meant to the fans, and all his friends that have helped him along the way, that just happen to have super powers-and taking a big dump on it. Forget that Batman was originally created to populate a world created for Superman, we’re ignoring that his inspirations even exists. Bob Kane is rolling at the thought that because this man says it, it is law. Screw him studio, do the Justice League you know will rule!
I like the idea of a Nightwing series put him in bludhaven and make it dark something like the crow. Have him with flash backs of the time when he was Robin and show batman as a shadow figure not really to be seen. Put his love interest in their Barbra Gordon aka (Bat girl)she can be Oracle at this time and be helping him out. Have him strugle over being a cop and a crime fighter. The flash backs will let people know who he is. I dont think that you can tell this story without the mention of Robin. These are my ideas and some that i got off the internet. Tell me what you think?
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