GOTHAM Showrunner On A Shared DC TV Universe And Introducing 'The Joker'

GOTHAM Showrunner On A Shared DC TV Universe And Introducing 'The Joker'

Gotham showrunner Bruno Heller has shared his thoughts on the possible crossover potential that the series could have in relation to the larger DC Universe and talks more about introducing The Clown Prince of Crime, The Joker. Hit the jump to read his comments in full...

By JoshWilding - Sep 22, 2014 10:09 AM EST
Filed Under: Gotham
Source: Digital Spy

In a recent interview with Digital Spy, Gotham showrunner Bruno Heller was asked about how the new series (which premieres tonight on Fox) fits into the wider DC Universe. We already know that the movies and TV shows aren't connected, while the fact that the latter are all on different networks surely means that crossovers are unlikely. However, Heller thinks it could be possible somewhere down the line. "We'll see as we roll on. Precise tone is the important thing in establishing a series, but then you have to see what other shows live in the same universe. Would it be weird if they met up? It's fun for the audience to see that clash, but actually doing it is scary. I hope we do at some point. That's the beautiful thing about being inside the DC Universe, but we'll wait and see what pops and what doesn't." Is he talking about the likes of Arrow and Constantine or other DC Comics shows which are in the works at Fox we don't yet know of? 

Sticking to the Batman corner of the DC TV universe for now though, talk soon turned to The Joker and what the current plan is in regards to his introduction in the series at some point during season one. "We're going to wait and get the show up and running [before we meet the real Joker]. We want to get the story right and we want to be tonally right - and then we'll start thinking about how to bring him in. We will certainly try to surprise people, and maybe even trick people. It's one of those expectations that everyone will be waiting for, so you can't just present the guy with a big smile and start telling the story. Not that that would be dull, but that's one of those opportunities to really start playing with this."An interesting final tidbit was what Heller added about the future Batman's role in the series. "The core of the show is Gordon, but Bruce Wayne will certainly play a much larger part in the show than we had initially thought..."
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Viltrumite
Viltrumite - 9/22/2014, 10:29 AM
You know what would be great? Time jumps between seasons. Don't pull a Smallville and take ten years and ten seasons for this story to reach the point we care about, with Bruce becoming Batman in the final four seconds. Maybe around season four or five, have Bruce old enough to be Bats. However, have Bruce be the focus point, with a recurring role as a prominent philanthropist, with Batman as the scary, weird thing we and Gordon sometimes glimpse for a second, that criminals mention in hushed whispers. Give us bits and pieces, then let us see the big Batman-Gordon moment, when the two see something of themselves in the other.
GreenLantern519
GreenLantern519 - 9/22/2014, 10:31 AM
I think of all the DC TV Shows Gotham makes the most sense to stay isolated and not have a crossover. It's set in the "past" of the DC Universe so it wouldn't make sense for Green Arrow or the Flash to pop up.
thebearjew
thebearjew - 9/22/2014, 10:31 AM
3 minutes just 3 minutes with this jerk
MonsterSquad35
MonsterSquad35 - 9/22/2014, 10:32 AM
I have really nothing interesting to share about this... So here is a recipe for Jambalaya:

Ingredients
12 medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped
4 ounces chicken, diced
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning, recipe follows
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3/4 cup rice
3 cups chicken stock
5 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced
Salt and pepper

In a bowl combine shrimp, chicken and Creole seasoning, and work in seasoning well. In a large saucepan heat oil over high heat with onion, pepper and celery, 3 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves, Worcestershire and hot sauces. Stir in rice and slowly add broth. Reduce heat to medium and cook until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. When rice is just tender add shrimp and chicken mixture and sausage. Cook until meat is done, about 10 minutes more. Season to taste with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning.

BlackIceJoe
BlackIceJoe - 9/22/2014, 10:38 AM
I really wish they wouldn't show the Joker. The reason why it makes him more interesting without having an origin. I don't want to know what his life story was before he joined the Red Hood gang. Plus after he fell into the chemicals at ACE Chemicals his whole personality changed too. So why even give Joker a back story.
yonny616
yonny616 - 9/22/2014, 10:38 AM
@Fettastic I agree. Maybe they should have been killed off in the mid season finale. Have the audience love them, but hate that they will eventually die and Bruce's life will be for ever scarred.
MisterPL
MisterPL - 9/22/2014, 10:43 AM
Bruce's parents can be alive and well in flashbacks, at least this season.

Their murder is the hook, and a show like this needs one. "Lost" started with a plane crash and made extensive use of flashbacks. Now that WB/DC has insisted the TV and film franchises remain separate, Batman can appear on this show in flash-forwards.

Give it a chance.
KilledHal9000
KilledHal9000 - 9/22/2014, 10:43 AM
@Viltrumite

That would be the only way I would watch this show completely from start to finish. I have a feeling I will watch it here and there but it doesn't really interest me. It LOOKS cool, but I have a feeling it will get stale. But if Batman showed up in season 3 or 4...
SAMURAI36
SAMURAI36 - 9/22/2014, 10:46 AM


See, this is why I continue to say that DC is keeping the shows separate only for the time being. They want to see if everything is "quantifiable" (their words), and then start putting everything together.

Arrow and Flash were just the lithmus test. Gotham as a show would be alot harder to pull off with the rest, given its being set in the past, but I could definitely see Supergirl, TT, and even Constantine and Lucifer tying together with Arrow and Flash. And then, Constantine tying directly in with JLD (which is a no-brainer).

LOL, I could only imagine Feige, Loeb, Whedon and the rest of the MCU crew sweating bullets as all these DC TV shows were originally announced, and then they breathed a sigh of relief, when Geoff Johns revealed that everything won't be connected.

If DC started out connecting everything into a singular DCCU out the gate, they would've completely crushed everything that Marvel has done and will do.

14 TV shows spread between 7 networks in less than 2 years, while Marvel is still struggling with their first TV show.... Just imagine if DC managed to connect everything across networks, and included the films with it.
MrFantastic
MrFantastic - 9/22/2014, 10:46 AM
@Viltrumite

Yeah, time jumps would be interesting. However, if the powers that be did that, chances are they would recast the role of Bruce with a slightly older actor- late teens or early twenties. David Mazouz is a talented kid, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 9/22/2014, 10:50 AM
Unless they time jump and Batman is introduced, I'll never watch this. This show has no chance of entertaining me because even if it's good, it will make me sad because I want Batman.
XMenMarvelFan
XMenMarvelFan - 9/22/2014, 10:53 AM
I think for DC as far as TV goes each show should just be it's own thing. Not EVERYTHING needs to be connected to another thing.

P.S. Can someone please explain to me how you post pics? I'm new to this site in the fact iv'e never been a user. Iv'e have always used ComicBookMovie but never had an account until now.
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 9/22/2014, 10:53 AM
I think it would be more interesting if they didn't start off with so many Batman villains and focused on maybe one or two villains that are more grounded and not so "comicbooky". With the way they are promoting it right now, it's basically the whole world of Batman minus the Batman.
thebearjew
thebearjew - 9/22/2014, 10:53 AM
...whats Lucifer? is that a show?
@SAMURAI36
I haven't heard of that one
Donovan
Donovan - 9/22/2014, 10:54 AM
...too bad this show is about Gotham, because people might (already is happening), think about "when is Batman coming up?...is this show about Batman?...why Batman isn't showing up?"...There are so many stories in the city that affects other people, & it's so interesting to build up that part of Batman universe so little we've seen so far...Remember Batman was created in a time where detective comics (mark this) where so important...But seriously, now gimme' some Bat-twist or gtfo!
SimplyAz
SimplyAz - 9/22/2014, 11:06 AM
@SuperSpider25 This page has a guide, also check out the comments section for a few more tips.
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=66684
GeekyCheekyChic
GeekyCheekyChic - 9/22/2014, 11:08 AM
Trust me samurai....Marvel didn't breathe a sigh of relief over the DC shows not being connected to a movie verse. Marvel is pumping out money making movies and are about to close out Phase 2 with yet another billion dollar movie. Marvel cares not if whether or not Arrow connects to Gotham connects to BvS
MonsterSquad35
MonsterSquad35 - 9/22/2014, 11:12 AM
@Smaurai

Do you really believe Feige, Whedon were and are nervous? I mean, Marvel is a powerhouse right now. With no chance of stopping.

If you think a bunch of shows/toys/etc at DC are going to stack up to what Marvel is doing at the box office. You gotta be crazy.

It's going to take BvS to be a start of a competition. It will go on from there. Nobody will care about these in a few years. It's what they do at the box office.

Marvel is killing it. It's a given.

7 billion...7 Billlllion ma man.
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 9/22/2014, 11:13 AM
The 'DCCU' that everyone refers to is a fan creation. As of now, it does not exist. No executive has ever used that term or clarified that all of WB/DC's future projects are meant to exist in one connected universe. We have no way of knowing that "Shazam" will be done in the same style as MoS and BvS. It may turn out to be another GL.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 9/22/2014, 11:16 AM
This is how DC is deciding to bring back The Joker!? In a live-action Tv show based in a Gotham without Batman!!

This is [frick]ing nonsense

MonsterSquad35
MonsterSquad35 - 9/22/2014, 11:18 AM
@GliderMan

Agreed.

There is no competition at this moment. Marvel is winning and winning big.

HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 9/22/2014, 11:19 AM
I don't buy into the idea that the shows will be kept separate for a while before being joined together later. Two stories that were written completely separate with no regard to the other should not be thrown together later on. It could make continuity errors on Alien vs. Predator level.
MonsterSquad35
MonsterSquad35 - 9/22/2014, 11:25 AM
When Marvel is pumping out blockbuster after blockbuster and all you got to do this year is buy season 2 of ARROW on DVD...you got to re-invent your argument.
MercwithMouth
MercwithMouth - 9/22/2014, 11:35 AM
Haha...complete trash.
pesmerga44
pesmerga44 - 9/22/2014, 11:37 AM
@TheBearJew

It is a spin off from the Neil Gaiman Sandman series. It is the Lucifer but he is sick of running Hell so he decides to live in L.A. and he runs a piano night club.
Itsbeenfun
Itsbeenfun - 9/22/2014, 11:38 AM
The 'DCCU' that everyone refers to is a fan creation. As of now, it does not exist. No executive has ever used that term or clarified that all of WB/DC's future projects are meant to exist in one connected universe. We have no way of knowing that "Shazam" will be done in the same style as MoS and BvS. It may turn out to be another GL.

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