Following the lead of Netflix and other streaming services, DC's Titans will have a 13-episode first season. For years now, DC and Warner Bros. TV have been working to bring the Teen Titans into live-action. While the initial plans for the series fell through, the announcement was made earlier this year that Titans will premiere through DC's new digital service instead, along with the long-awaited third season of Young Justice. Not only will the platform allow the show more creative freedom, but it could help usher in a new way to bring DC Comics characters to life.
Not too long after that, we learned more about the core cast of characters for Titans. While no comic book characters have been officially confirmed yet, their descriptions clearly point to Nightwing, Starfire, Beast Boy, and Raven. As four of the best-known members of the Titans, their inclusion isn't surprising. However, after years of the characters appearing in various animated series and movies, it will be exciting to see them brought to life in live-action. As for the length of the show's first season, it looks like it will be taking a cue from other streamed TV series.
Related: What We Want to See in Titans Season 1
Deadline is reporting that Titans has a 13 episode commitment for its first season. Like Marvel's Netflix shows and the currently-in-development Marvel series like Runaways and Cloak & Dagger (which are debuting on Hulu and Freeform, respectively), the show won't be burdened by the 22–23 episode run of most network superhero TV shows. While those series offer fans more quantity, the quality can sometimes suffer while trying to spin out the story and budget.
With just 13 episodes, hopefully we will be in for a tight plot and a decent sized budget for all the special effects that will be required for everyone on Titans (except for Nightwing, that is). Between Beast Boy's shapeshifting, Raven's magic, and Starfire's flight and fire-based powers, the series will need a decent amount of money to make everything look good.
When it comes to the show's tone, it's not known yet if Titans will skew closer to the Arrowverse or the animated Teen Titans TV shows. The former seems most likely, though don't count on a crossover between the pair anytime soon. Though Titans won't be shooting as far away from Vancouver as The CW's upcoming Black Lightning TV series is, the show is all set to start filming this fall in Toronto. While that doesn't rule out a crossover with the Vancouver-based Arrowverse, it will certainly make it a bit more difficult.
With San Diego Comic-Con 2017 on the horizon and Titans due to start shooting soon, more information about the DC series should be right around the corner. We may even get confirmation as to which DC characters will be in the series, by the end of this summer.
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Titans aims to premiere in 2018 on DC’s digital service.
Source: Deadline