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The Batman: HBO plans a horror series

8.3.2022

Translation: machine translated

One of the planned "The Batman" spin-off series has been put on hold - or has undergone a redirection. This is confirmed by "The Batman" director Matt Reeves.

Plans change. Also for one of the upcoming "The Batman" spin-off series that Warner Bros. is producing for its streaming service HBO Max. This was confirmed by director Matt Reeves, who is involved as executive producer, in the latest episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast. Accordingly, the story no longer uses the Gotham Police Department as the central setting for the action, but Arkham Asylum. In the comics, this is an institution for mentally abnormal and insane criminals.

Is Warner Bros. planning a horror film in series format?

Realignment: Less corruption, more horror

The team is said to have become aware of the necessary realignment during the filming of "The Batman," Reeves says in the podcast. Because he originally planned to focus on corruption and the disintegration of the Gotham Police Department. A story that may have been too similar to the one Fox recently finished with the fifth season of "Gotham."

Reeves' show, which went by the code name "Gotham PD," has since been put on hold:

Die Serie sollte so etwas wie Frank Millers «Batman: Year One» sein, aber aus Sicht eines Polizisten, der immer mehr der Korruption verfällt. Dabei wollten wir zeigen, dass die schlimmste Gang in Gotham eigentlich das Gotham PD ist. Der Polizist sollte Gordon begegnen, der um seine Seele kämpft. Ich fand diese Idee grossartig!

Matt Reeves, 7. März 2022, Happy Sad Confused Podcast

In fact, Reeves has already announced profound changes to the Gotham PD show in an interview with The Cyber Nerds.

Die Gotham-PD-Geschichte hat sich irgendwie weiterentwickelt. Wir konzentrieren uns neu darauf, was genau in der Welt des Arkham Asylums passieren könnte. Der Ort wäre mehr ein Spukhaus, mit eigenen Regeln, wie in einem Horrorfilm. Das Setting soll sich frisch und unverbraucht anfühlen.

Matt Reeves, 6. März 2022, The Cyber Nerds

It is not known when the series will be shot.

Arkham Asylum is not the only series project

The spin-off project "The Penguin" starring Colin Farrell is said to be much more advanced anyway. Officially announced in December 2021, Reeves, who will also be involved here as an executive producer, compares it to "Scarface," which is about the rise of a character we all know will later achieve near-mythical status. Also under Reeves' direction, a "Catwoman" series starring Zoë Kravitz has reportedly been in the works since February 2021.

So the future of the Dark Knight looks bright. This is also supported by record box office takings for "The Batman" on its opening weekend.

Review
The Batman is a triumph – a masterpiece!
by Luca Fontana

With worldwide takings of more than $250 million, "The Batman" is Warner Bros.' most successful theatrical release since "The Joker.

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Luca Fontana

Senior Editor

Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.ch

I write about technology as if it were cinema, and about films as if they were real life. Between bits and blockbusters, I’m after stories that move people, not just generate clicks. And yes – sometimes I listen to film scores louder than I probably should.

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The Batman: HBO plans a horror series

Realignment: Less corruption, more horror

Arkham Asylum is not the only series project

The Batman is a triumph – a masterpiece!

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The Batman is a triumph – a masterpiece!

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