RUMOR: Batman TV Series Planned to Reintroduce Joker Character Without Ledger

RUMOR: Batman TV Series Planned to Reintroduce Joker Character Without Ledger

One of our insider sources has sent in the early thinking about plans WB is hatching for the blockbuster Batman franchise, and this time its about a move to the small screen after The Dark Knight Rises.

By ComicBookMovie - Nov 15, 2010 06:11 AM EST
Filed Under: Batman
Source: WB Insider

WB has no plans to rush out another Batman Movie once Chris Nolan has completed The Dark Knight Rises. Instead, the heads in power are looking at something to do with TV.

The idea comes from the successful tv transitions of SmallVille and Sherlock Holmes--the Hartswood Films/BBC Television show of the same name starring Benedict Cumberbatch that screened recently.

So, WB is looking at putting together a live action Batman TV series. The Head Executive in charge (name removed to protect source) who has overseen the development and production of such notable hits as: "Two and a Half Men", "The Mentalist", "ER", "The West Wing", "Without A Trace" and "Friends", has been given the task. He would like to keep it in line with the Nolan movies. No word on any stories or script, but he wants a real world feel with young adult audiences in mind".

It has also been mentioned that this is a way to re-introduce The Joker as a completely new version and not step on Heath’s memory/version, as WB knows this is a sensitive subject. They believe that the Joker alone will garner ratings through the roof and are already planning on a closed set with extremely tight security to prevent any leaked footage.

The Actor they have mentioned as a "type" to play Batman/Bruce Wayne is Karl Urban. Karl plays Dr. McCoy in the new Star Trek franchise.


Keep in mind, that this VERY EARLY talk, but if it is true that a WB head has been put in charge of development, it shows that they are indeed serious about a move to the small screen.
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imnotwearinghockeypants
imnotwearinghockeypants - 11/15/2010, 7:05 AM
Interesting.
pfitzer
pfitzer - 11/15/2010, 7:06 AM
Holy Cow!!!!
I would LOVE to see the Dark Knight return to the small screen.
This could be similar to what is planned for King's Dark Tower.
This could be really, really good.
Superman8
Superman8 - 11/15/2010, 7:08 AM
nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

arent they going to learn from smallvile?!

i really really really hope this doesnt happen.
Denn1s
Denn1s - 11/15/2010, 7:08 AM
batman is a character with no need of special effects, so a tv series will come in cheap for the channel and it can be awesome to have a crime noir bat series...this is a no-brainer WB !!!
FrankGarret
FrankGarret - 11/15/2010, 7:10 AM
I don't see it happening. If it does come to pass, I hope to see a more comic booky adaptation with some of the fantastical elements present, but also retaining the gritty aesthetic of Nolan's films.

Karl Urban would be a cool Batman, though.

Check out my Dark Knight Returns fan cast,
and my Dark Knight Rises fan cast while you're at it.
Hood28
Hood28 - 11/15/2010, 7:11 AM
it could be very cool but karl urban does not fit the role. hes not much of an actor and he just doesnt look right
SmokinIndo
SmokinIndo - 11/15/2010, 7:12 AM
I'm guessing this won't take place within Nolan's continuity?
InFamouslyCool
InFamouslyCool - 11/15/2010, 7:12 AM
...more bullshit.
GinGer23
GinGer23 - 11/15/2010, 7:13 AM
yeah this is stupid..... ten bucks says they cast adam west as alfred...haha. C.W. please dont make this show.
ElBicho
ElBicho - 11/15/2010, 7:13 AM
I hope this happens. To not have the Joker in anything that deals with Batman is idiotic.
ManThing
ManThing - 11/15/2010, 7:14 AM
ugh... I was stoked until you mentioned Smallville.

Actually I take that back. I am still excited.

However I want to add that if they had indeed chosen to channel Ledger's Joker on the show, you certainly wouldn't have heard any complaints from me.

That's STILL the best Joker IMO
Shaman
Shaman - 11/15/2010, 7:17 AM
They should go with Nightwing instead. But if they ever do put out a TV series for Batman, ADRIAN PASDAR FTW ;)










ButtNakedSmurf
ButtNakedSmurf - 11/15/2010, 7:20 AM
Karl Urban would be a bitchin Batman imo
InFamouslyCool
InFamouslyCool - 11/15/2010, 7:22 AM
it's cool for superman to be cheesed up on tv, it's been happening for yearssss.. but c'mon, who wants to see a cheesy batman on tv, even worse.. a cheesy high school bruce wayne. LMAO
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 11/15/2010, 7:23 AM
If true, that would be pretty cool. However, I'd be much happier with a new series of films rather than "Gothamville" (in other words, another decade of sonething like Smallville with only a handful of episodes where the character has been handled properly) and having the guy from shows like Two and a Half Men and Friends in charge doesn't exactly give me a good feeling.

Between this and that Wonder Wonan show, it's as if WB just don't want to ever give us a JLA film! [frick] them. God bless Marvel Studios! :)
AlReg
AlReg - 11/15/2010, 7:23 AM
@Shaman
If they want it to be successful then it would have to be Batman and not a supporting character.

@Superman8
The key words are a good actor and Batman as well as young adult. Smallville was Clark Kent teenagers and not Superman there is a bit of a difference. Batman also does not have powers making it less expensive.

@JoshW
Nelson and Johns said that they had no plans for a JLA movie the only plans were cancelled I think it's best to forget about that even in the comics the JLA are not a top franchise.


As cool as the idea is I am not sure how much I buy this news.
megabatfan
megabatfan - 11/15/2010, 7:24 AM
I'm of two minds about this. As much as I would like to get my batman fix, I'm weary that it may not be done just as well on the small screen...If true, I hope they don't go the same route they did with Birds of Prey.

@ Frank Garret - That's exactly the style of batman i wanna see. Silverscreen or small screen.

@ pfitzer - You said "I would LOVE to see the Dark Knight return to the small screen". When was he ever on the small screen before. Surely you're not referring to Batdance Adam West - LOL!
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 11/15/2010, 7:25 AM
Oh, and Kark Urban is actually a great choice for a big screen Bruce Wayne. Can't see him doing TV unfortunately though after hits like Star Trek and (hopefully) DREDD!
LucasMend
LucasMend - 11/15/2010, 7:30 AM
Hmmm, doing a Batman tv series is cool, but Karl Urban as Bruce Wayne? God damn I cant see this happening. I just hope we dont have to wait 10 years after 2012 to have another Bat-Movie.
2cool4school
2cool4school - 11/15/2010, 7:33 AM
Cool!
StrangerX
StrangerX - 11/15/2010, 7:35 AM
The Caped Crusader-or The Bat Detective for tv show title
GinGuilt
GinGuilt - 11/15/2010, 7:38 AM
Like the Sandman series?

Yeah,I don't buy it.
superdog
superdog - 11/15/2010, 7:42 AM
im not buying it. they make too much money on the movies and those are generally easier to produce then a weekly series.
ClarkKentSuperman
ClarkKentSuperman - 11/15/2010, 7:49 AM
i agree this will be awesome if done right!!!!!!!!!!! Just need to find a better Batman then Urban
ROBBEATZZZ
ROBBEATZZZ - 11/15/2010, 7:50 AM
ID WATCH!..NICE!
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 11/15/2010, 7:52 AM
@StrangerX...How about "Gotham Knights" making it more of an ensemble cast, focusing on Bruce Wayne/Batman, Alfred,Gordon, Dent's eventual demise into Two-Face, the continuous battle with the Joker,and the love/hate relationship with Catwoman. As long as they learn their lessons from the crapfest that is Smallville. Oh yes, if they leave Robin out of it, it could work.
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 11/15/2010, 7:55 AM
Get this...they don't overuse the arch-villains and use the filler episodes to focus on Batman and Gordon rooting out the corruption in Gotham's City government, and the war on organized crime. You know, the way Bob Kane originally conceptualized Batman.
BobHasMyPants
BobHasMyPants - 11/15/2010, 7:56 AM
just as long as iit's not kiddy fare I'll watch
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 11/15/2010, 7:56 AM
I hope, if it is gonna happen, that its not another Smallville. The thing that makes me wonder about this is that they mention an actor. I just doubt that they would be even considering anyone at such an early stage. Still, ya never know. And Urban would be a good pic.
EdGross
EdGross - 11/15/2010, 7:56 AM
I'm having a difficult time with this one. Why would Warners be developing a Batman TV series in 2010 that couldn't hit the air until 2013 or 2014? They certainly wouldn't be talking to Karl Urban about it so many years in advance, and Urban, for his part, would likely be unwilling to give up what is a flourishing film career (Star Trek, Red, Judge Dredd, Star Trek 2, etc.) to do a TV show.

Additionally, with The Dark Knight pulling in over a billion dollars, and with hopes high for Dark Knight Rises, why would they even consider jettisoning a lucrative film franchise in exchange for a TV series? Plus potentially piss Nolan off in the process?

I'd take this one with a healthy dose of Bat-salt.
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 11/15/2010, 8:06 AM
@EdGross...Nolan already said he wasn't going to do anymore Batman movies. Perhaps Warner Brothers doesn't want to see another director take a great franchise and crap all over it (cough, cough...Schumacher...cough, cough).
StrangerX
StrangerX - 11/15/2010, 8:12 AM
Does anyone remember the Graysons tv show. IMO they should still work on that idea and try to create a show based on Robin and not Batman
theangrytroll
theangrytroll - 11/15/2010, 8:12 AM
Despite the fact that Karl Urban would be an exponentially better choice for the character than the current waste of DNA, I'll be happy when bullshit is called on this one. I am hoping after 2012's abomination, we'll get a decent Batman film sometime in the future, made by someone who realizes this is a comic book character, and DOESN'T remove the comic book elements from the characters and the story. Enough with this lame-ass "real world" crap.
SpideyQuad
SpideyQuad - 11/15/2010, 8:14 AM
Heath Ledger's Joker stunk anyways, although I don't blame him at all, he did a great job. There was no back ground on the character and why he could do, to mob & BM, what he could.
C'mon, white paint and a scar?
marvel72
marvel72 - 11/15/2010, 8:16 AM
as cool as this might be,i'd rather we see him in films only.

if c.w got hold of this what could we expect from the show.

1.gothamville

2.wait ten years to actually see him in cowl & cape.

3.villains lame versions of classic batman foes i.e joker with no white clown looking make-up,two face with no facial damage & so on.

4.character cameo's that have nothing to do with the batman universe.

5.his parents never died & so on.

warner do it right or don't f*cking bother.
jazzman
jazzman - 11/15/2010, 8:19 AM
this wont happen
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 11/15/2010, 8:20 AM
All of this is mere speculation anyway, so give me a big teaspoon of bat-salt. That being said, maybe theangrytroll should go watch a cartoon and then try to adapt it to a live-action show. Doesn't always work out as well as you plan it. Anybody see the Matt Salinger version of Captain America? Additionally, when you make it too catoony or "comic-booky" you end up with Schumacher's "grand vision" and bat-nipples.
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 11/15/2010, 8:21 AM
Cool idea!:) Urban would make a great Batman. Crispin Glover as The Joker.
supermaustify
supermaustify - 11/15/2010, 8:25 AM
lol karl urban has a small mouth, he's gonna look silly in a batman costume
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 11/15/2010, 8:25 AM
Nightwing would be ultra lame, anything to do with Robin should be banished.

I like the idea of Urban in the cowl. But, like Ror said, if it's a campy, boring show like Smallville, or any other WB show, than this wont be good.
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