THE BATMAN Director Matt Reeves Says Second HBO Max Spinoff "Connects" To Arkham Asylum

THE BATMAN Director Matt Reeves Says Second HBO Max Spinoff "Connects" To Arkham Asylum

While we were under the impression that the first HBO Max spinoff set in the Batverse would be about the GCPD, The Batman director Matt Reeves has now revealed it will, in fact, be tied to Arkham Asylum.

By JoshWilding - Mar 02, 2022 05:03 AM EST
Filed Under: The Batman
Source: Toronto Sun

The Batman hasn't arrived in theaters yet (unless you caught one of those IMAX preview screenings last night), but two HBO Max spinoffs are already in the works. Colin Farrell will reprise the role of Oswald Cobblepot in a show exploring his rise up the ranks of Gotham City's criminal underworld as The Penguin, while we'd previously heard that the first of these spinoffs would focus on the GCPD.

At the first DC FanDome, Matt Reeves said the series is set during Year One as a "masked vigilante starts to unsettle the city," confirming plans to explore corruption that "goes back many years." The story, meanwhile, is said to take place from the point of view of one of Gotham's many corrupt cops. 

However, we may now have an explanation for that "Arkham" working title revealed last August.

"We're doing this Penguin series and one of the great things about that is Colin Farrell - he’s like you’ve never seen him. He's so incredible and he's a scene-stealer. Along the way, we thought maybe we could do [it] as a series," Reeves told Toronto Sun. "So I talked to HBO Max and showed them Colin in the movie and spoke to them about what this could be and they said, 'Let's do it.'"

"We're doing that and we’re doing another series that connects to Arkham [Asylum]. We are talking and thinking about the next movie, but to be honest with you, at the moment, I really want the audience to connect with this. And I really believe they will because Rob is an incredible Batman.”

The fact that this apparent GCPD series will connect to Arkham Asylum promises to make it quite a bit different to what we initially suspected would be a slightly different take on FOX's Gotham. Exploring that mental institution could also lead to the introduction of some familiar rogues, particularly if Batman factors into the series while making his mark as a Caped Crusader in his city. 

Either way, the untitled show is clearly going to explore the GCPD and Arkham, and that's definitely exciting. How it will tie into The Batman and this Batverse obviously remains to be seen for now.

The Batman arrives in theaters later this week!

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Twenty23Three
Twenty23Three - 3/2/2022, 5:50 AM
Wow, and I thought I was sick of the endless stream of Batman before this, turns out I didn’t even know.
TheEddy
TheEddy - 3/2/2022, 8:37 PM
@Twenty23Three - I never understand comments like this. I mean...you do know you don't have to watch literally any of it right? If you're sick of something that's on you
Twenty23Three
Twenty23Three - 3/3/2022, 2:38 AM
@TheEddy - it’s not about not watching them. Its about how in comics, film, video games, you name it, all of DCs energy goes towards Batman whilst a whole universe of characters are forever an afterthought.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 3/2/2022, 5:58 AM
Meh. Could be interesting exploring the backstory of the Arkham family, but I hope this feels distinct enough to not just feel like a grittier Gotham rip off.
RandyOrtonLF
RandyOrtonLF - 3/2/2022, 6:03 AM
@ModHaterSLADE - I mean Gotham is a low budget, poorly written, generally cringe CW show. There's absolutely no way this could be anything like that. Matt Reeves' track record is the best evidence.
dracula
dracula - 3/2/2022, 6:05 AM
@RandyOrtonLF - Gotham was on Fox
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 3/2/2022, 6:10 AM
@RandyOrtonLF - Nothing CW about Gotham bruh....
RandyOrtonLF
RandyOrtonLF - 3/2/2022, 6:30 AM
@dracula - Ah didn't remember that. Guess I just assumed it was CW because of it's quality.

McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/2/2022, 9:43 AM
@ModHaterSLADE - I couldn't even sit thru the first couple episodes it epitomizes CW and it ain't even CW lol
Darkknight2149
Darkknight2149 - 3/2/2022, 2:37 PM
@RandyOrtonLF -
Gotham wasn't on the CW and the bulk of the series (especially Season 2 and 4) was actually pretty good for a network Batman show. I don't need a retread of it.
Darkknight2149
Darkknight2149 - 3/2/2022, 2:51 PM
@McMurdo -
If you didn't watch passed the first two episodes, then you're not qualified to complain about it. That show had some of the best live action takes on several of Batman's villains (including the Penguin, Riddler, Scarecrow, and Ra's al Ghul), it adapted a lot of Batman elements better than the movies did, and the level of blood and violence was way ahead of anything on the CW.

It's the only live action version to seamlessly blend the campiness of the Adam West show with the darkness and tone of The Animated Series with the lore and visuals of the comics.
Nightwing1015
Nightwing1015 - 3/2/2022, 6:25 PM
@RandyOrtonLF - Gotham was initially one of the highest budget shows on TV with a budget of 4 million per episode for the first two seasons. It was nothing like the CW shows in terms of tone. It was much better.
Se4M4NSt4ine
Se4M4NSt4ine - 3/2/2022, 6:06 AM
My friend got to watch this early last night, described it like a 3 hour episode of the Animated Series had a baby with Darren Aronofsky (pre-Black Swan)

And I’m not sure how to take that… anyway, can’t wait to watch it this weekend!
BestAtWhatIDo
BestAtWhatIDo - 3/2/2022, 6:17 AM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - I don’t know that I’d call it that? The story is amazing, but Pattinson is VERY far from Conroy, though you get a sense he could evolve into Conroy. He won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved him.
Se4M4NSt4ine
Se4M4NSt4ine - 3/2/2022, 6:33 AM
@BestAtWhatIDo - I’ll let you know if I agree when I watch it this weekend!🤪
Godzilla2000Zer
Godzilla2000Zer - 3/2/2022, 7:52 AM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - He's not wrong dude definitely check it out
OmegaBlack13
OmegaBlack13 - 3/2/2022, 11:10 AM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - Haha, I could see that. My friend also compared it to BTAS and while I’m not sure I quite agree, I see that line of thinking. Aronofsky is spot on though.
TheEddy
TheEddy - 3/2/2022, 8:38 PM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - I felt it was more if Burton and Nolan's films had a baby and was raised by David Fincher and while he was at work he just played the Animated Series for it
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 3/2/2022, 6:07 AM
If this is gonna be a show where we see a ton of villains end up in Arkham for it to end up with a Joker-led breakout, I'll be very happy. Could even throw in some Hugo Strange there too
Se4M4NSt4ine
Se4M4NSt4ine - 3/2/2022, 6:36 AM
@bkmeijer - imagine a mini series One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest style Arkham show, with a prototype Joker as your lead - not quite Joker but not quite sane. Watching his descent into madness as Strange tortures him, for him to only evolve into a cold blooded killer, the Joker and breaks himself out of Arkham - setting up his direct entry into a Batman sequel.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 3/2/2022, 7:02 AM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - that would be really cool. Although I wouldn't mind seeing Batmam appear in the show instead too.

For the Arkham show I kinda wanna see the following arcs:
Season 1: capture of villains (either by GCPD or Batman)
Season 2: Arkham focused with Hugo Strange
Seasom 3: Joker-led breakout (with potential Batman appearance).

For the movies I kinda don't wanna see Joker yet:
The Batman 1: Riddler
The Batman 2: Freeze and Hush set-up
The Batman 3: Court of Owls and Hush
Sk77
Sk77 - 3/2/2022, 7:48 AM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - that actually sounds quite amazing!
VicSage
VicSage - 3/2/2022, 6:11 AM
Gave it some thought. If they could find some way or pulling from Batman: Prey or Heart of Ice for a sequel, that’d be grand. I’d love to see Hugo Strange and Freeze on the screen
BestAtWhatIDo
BestAtWhatIDo - 3/2/2022, 6:19 AM
I loved Penguin, but his function was basically comic relief: not sure if I see him as a protagonist. We’ll see!
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/2/2022, 10:58 AM
@BestAtWhatIDo - he epitomizes Gothams future. I loved his piece of the pie.
Repian
Repian - 3/2/2022, 6:37 AM
Calendar man to appear on the Arkham Show.

Mark Proksch is my Julian Gregory Day. Mark could be a perfect Arkham lunatic.


bobevanz
bobevanz - 3/2/2022, 6:48 AM
@Repian - ooh yes please
GhostSurfer
GhostSurfer - 3/2/2022, 8:43 AM
@Repian - [frick] yes. Collin Robinson for the win.
DalekCraigWasson
DalekCraigWasson - 3/2/2022, 11:47 AM
@Repian - Hw would be a great Ventriloquist too.
Darkknight2149
Darkknight2149 - 3/2/2022, 2:40 PM
@Repian -
Glenn Fleshler.

Repian
Repian - 3/2/2022, 3:28 PM
@Darkknight2149 - Glenn Fleshler has always been my Professor Pyg.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 3/2/2022, 6:47 AM
Perfectly fleshing out every character, I love it. Also the movie was amazing! Loved every second, also I usually sit down around 20 after because my of previews, that fan experience last night started right at 7 with no previews lmao. It's okay, I'm seeing it two more times lol so good mmmm
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/2/2022, 9:07 AM
@bobevanz - bro first 30 mins were ruined by an angry man and his son standing in front of 4 rows with his phone light on full brightness yelling at kids to get out of his seat. I felt bad for him but I was stoned as [frick] and people started legit talking about the Dark Knight shooter. BUT THIS FILM IS THEE BEST BATMAN FILM AND ITS REALLY NOT CLOSE. TDK is amazing but it's not comics Batman like this. REEVES ISNT AFRAID OF THE COMICS LIKE NOLAN, NOT EMBARRASSED OF THE GOTHAM ETHOS
Lokiwasright
Lokiwasright - 3/2/2022, 7:31 AM
I guess they overused there other 2000 characters.
DoubleD
DoubleD - 3/2/2022, 7:40 AM
Off Topic not really still regarding The Batman. Today's Rotten Tomatoes score.

THE BATMAN

86%

TOMATOMETER
205 Reviews
Sk77
Sk77 - 3/2/2022, 7:52 AM
@DoubleD - As long as the score from both critics and viewers is high enough for them to continue. That’s all that matters.
I always read the bad reviews, most of which are people who didn’t like the concept of the movie from the get go.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/2/2022, 9:29 AM
@DoubleD - the fact that MCU fanboys despise this film and in their reviews completely ignore how hopeful it is in the end. Makes me love it so much more. This isn't Thor Rag where everyone just has fun and BOOM 90% percent plus on rotten tomatoes. THIS FILM WILL CHALLENGE THOSE FOLK WHO ARE USED TO A HOMOGENIZED MEANS OF BLOCKBUSTER ENTERTAINMENT.
DoubleD
DoubleD - 3/2/2022, 9:39 AM
@McMurdo - First I have never bad mouthed The Batman movie. I'm planning on seeing it this weekend. Posting latest Rotten Tomatoes score is standard practice for all movies here at CBM.

People here even make articles out of the Rotten Tomatoes Scores.

86% isn't a BAD score.
TheBatlist
TheBatlist - 3/2/2022, 9:58 AM
@Sk77 - It’s pretty awful that RT even includes reviews from soccer mom blogs. “Batman doesn’t smile enough” and “is not kid friendly” do not count as legitimate critique. The Batman would be 90+ fresh without these Karens.
DoubleD
DoubleD - 3/2/2022, 10:02 AM
@TheBatlist - I have read reviews that says The Batman really isn't kid friendly. Very Dark Batman.
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