The CW's new boss is uncertain about the future of the Arrowverse as DC TV faces changes at the network. 2022 has probably been the roughest year for The CW's Arrowverse franchise, which has been operating since 2012 when executive producer Greg Berlanti launched Arrow on the WarnerMedia and Paramount-owned network. As news broke that the two owners were looking to sell The CW, it was the beginning of many changes for the DC TV franchise on the network. Despite ending on cliffhangers, Batwoman and Legends of Tomorrow were both canceled back in the spring, along with DC TV newcomer Naomi.
While The CW will have Arrowverse programming in 2023, it will be the lightest season in a very long time. The Flash season 9 is set to end the series for good, while Superman & Lois season 3 is a go, but its future has yet to be defined. The CW is also premiering a new DC TV drama through Gotham Knights, from the writers and executive producers of Batwoman. However, it won't have any ties to the Arrowverse. Yet, with new partial owner Nexstar striving to take The CW in new directions, things have been unclear about the DC TV brand on the network.
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Brad Schwartz, who has been officially named the new entertainment president for The CW, chats about what they are looking to do with the channel going forward. When asked about the Arrowverse/DC TV franchise being part of their future strategy, Schwartz gives a somewhat concerning answer. Schwartz simply says, "I don't know yet."
What Are The Arrowverse's Realistic Survival Chances?
Schwartz's answer comes right after The CW confirmed that Stargirl season 4 wouldn't be happening, meaning the series will end with the upcoming season 3 finale in December. With Superman & Lois taking place on an alternate Earth in the Arrowverse, The Flash will be the last Earth-Prime-based series, meaning the franchise essentially lives through the Clark Kent and Lois Lane-led drama. At this point, with Gotham Knights having no ties to either Superman & Lois or the other Arrowverse shows, the franchise's realistic chances are at this point very low. The Arrowverse will likely be finished within the next few years, if not sooner.
In general, Warner Bros. Discovery is also indicating a new direction for the DC brand in film and TV through James Gunn and Peter Safran leading DC Studios, with both departments being under their control. With a bigger focus on the DCU (formerly known as the DCEU), there have been zero indications that the Arrowverse and The CW's side of the TV brand will be part of those plans, which suggests, even more, the potential end of the franchise on the network. Time will tell what happens to the Arrowverse, but given the current trajectory of DC TV on The CW, it's looking bleaker and bleaker as the network begins feeling the effects of Nexstar's majority ownership.
Source: THR