TNT Exec Says TITANS Stalled Because Of Script And Crowded Superhero Market

TNT Exec Says TITANS Stalled Because Of Script And Crowded Superhero Market

At yesterday's TCA panel, TNT announced that the live-action Teen Titans superhero drama starring Dick Grayson would not be moving forward. Today, we learn about why the show failed to launch.

By MarkJulian - Jan 08, 2016 05:01 PM EST
Filed Under: Titans
Source: THR

On paper, a live-action Teen Titans shows appears to be a no-brainer.  There's already public exposure for the team due to several animated programs.  While the general public may have been confused as to how Nightwing fits into the Batman and Robin dynamic, the character of Dick Grayson is still a pop culture icon.  However, TNT Chief Creative Officer Kevin Reilly told The Hollywood Reporter that issues with the script and the general saturation of superhero in the public sphere is what attributed to the basic cable network's decision to pass on the sho w.

 Said Reilly, "It wasn't [the fact that we didn't own the characters]. Akiva [Goldsman] is a talented guy, [but] the script just wasn't there. There is an unbelievable glut of superhero things in the market right now and if you have a really good one, clearly people are up for it. But I just don't think that there's a need for one that, for me, at least on paper didn't seem to be screaming to get made."

In summary, the network felt the script was weak and that there simply wasn't enough room for another superhero drama when shows like Supergirl, Gotham, The Flash, Arrow, Agent Carter and Legends of Tomorrow already hold key positions in the desired demographic.

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BlackPhillip
BlackPhillip - 1/8/2016, 5:29 PM
I see that you left out AOS. Nice!
JSamueliaml8
JSamueliaml8 - 1/8/2016, 5:31 PM
(Sigh) I was looking forward to this, but maybe since Ray Fisher is playing Vic, we can get a live-action Teen Titans movie in the future........

this guy needs a tv show/appearance in a DC movie ASAP:

Kyos
Kyos - 1/8/2016, 5:33 PM
"There is an unbelievable glut of superhero things in the market right now and if you have a really good one, clearly people are up for it. But I just don't think that there's a need for one that, for me, at least on paper didn't seem to be screaming to get made."

That sounds really reasonable to me tbh.
ScarletWarlock
ScarletWarlock - 1/8/2016, 5:34 PM
At least they were honest, and didn't exploit the property for money, I think they did the right movie, and I appreciate they didn't rush it and just accepted that it wouldn't have been an inspired project.
MileHighRonin
MileHighRonin - 1/8/2016, 5:36 PM
Wise.
JSamueliaml8
JSamueliaml8 - 1/8/2016, 5:37 PM
@Kyos TBH, the whole thing did feel rushed. You could easily say that about Legends of Tomorrow for instance, but if you've been watching Arrow/Flash from the start; obviously they didn't cast all those back-up characters like Canary, Atom, Firestorm, etc. for nothing.
ScarletWarlock
ScarletWarlock - 1/8/2016, 5:39 PM
Also, even though Young Justice isn't technically Teen Titans(same concept(s) and a lot of the same characters) and it is a cartoon, it is such a phenomenal show that if the this series never reached the same heights it will feel a little pointless and pale in comparison, and like they said would have continued to overcrowd the market.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 1/8/2016, 5:43 PM
Wow! Someone actually realizes and addresses the near over saturation of the superhero market; it is happening. Some things should wait until maybe the market slows down a bit...if it ever does

I commend this. They decided to be logical patient and smart instead of hasty and money hungry.

TheEpicJuicebox
TheEpicJuicebox - 1/8/2016, 5:44 PM
It's a good reason but it still would've been cool to see
GhostDog
GhostDog - 1/8/2016, 5:45 PM
So....can we try to resurrect this? I hate to sound like a broken record, but I'm still not over this. It made NO SENSE to get rid of it

GhostDog
GhostDog - 1/8/2016, 5:46 PM
@WakandasSoul I guess so yea
LordHarryLatts
LordHarryLatts - 1/8/2016, 5:47 PM
I'm so upset about this...but if his idea was crap...so be it. But, the Titans have GOT to show up somewhere...
This world needs some fvcking Nightwing !!!
Jlocklin
Jlocklin - 1/8/2016, 5:48 PM
Glad it's out of Goldman's hands. While he may have a couple gems on his record, his genre credits are horrible. I'm afraid for The Dark Tower.
jakmanuk
jakmanuk - 1/8/2016, 5:52 PM
I just want to see Nightwing in his black and blue suit in live action
SuperCat
SuperCat - 1/8/2016, 5:54 PM
See, I've been telling you all for years. TNT SUCKS!!
GhostDog
GhostDog - 1/8/2016, 5:56 PM
@WakandasSoul I think it is or some people. I just miss the wait; idk, there was something about just having that one or two cbms a year that made the anticipation special. I'm grateful and love all the films we're getting, but I miss when I could really focus on just one film instead of six. That's just me, but I understand where you're coming from. Sometimes, only sometimes, I feel overwhelmed by the cbm boom.
ScarletWarlock
ScarletWarlock - 1/8/2016, 5:56 PM
@ComicsBornAndBred
"So....can we try to resurrect this? I hate to sound like a broken record, but I'm still not over this. It made NO SENSE to get rid of it"

I'm crying with you, friend. I was in absolute amazement at how good season 2 was. It's not nearly talked about as much as it should be, in my honest opinion, and stands as one of the best cartoons ever.PERIOD.
Kyos
Kyos - 1/8/2016, 5:57 PM
I've said it before, I'll say it again: once we have a really established DCEU I would love to have a connected Hitman show on HBO or Netflix or such!

LordHarryLatts
LordHarryLatts - 1/8/2016, 6:01 PM
If don't think that the Teen Titans are interesting...wow...there are a ton of things I could recommend to help. They're my absolute favorite.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 1/8/2016, 6:02 PM
@ScarletWarlock its one of the great TV injustices. Greg Weisman, the showrunner, said he was working on something for cartoon network for 2016 thats DC related. I'll watch anything he does.
LordHarryLatts
LordHarryLatts - 1/8/2016, 6:03 PM
Thecoolestnerd,

Agreed.
JorL5150
JorL5150 - 1/8/2016, 6:04 PM
we ARE at a tipping-point where the quantity vs quality thing is a thing...
some DUMB movies do ok because they are associated with a brand.
ScarletWarlock
ScarletWarlock - 1/8/2016, 6:05 PM
@ComicsBornAndBred
Really? Oh thank God, the man really does have a good feel for the stories and comic book characters, it was no surprise to me when I found out he also did 'Spectacular Spiderman', another fantastic series, though, due to the utterly beautiful artwork, and surprisingly VERY mature tone, I'd say Young Justice was better than Spectacular Spiderman, but probably only by a smidge. I haven't seen SS in a while, so that could also be why.
Tuuralihn
Tuuralihn - 1/8/2016, 6:16 PM
I'd rather have 3 good CB TV shows on the air than 15 sucky ones. So good on TNT.
glades7
glades7 - 1/8/2016, 6:17 PM
And I'm gonna watch young justice again, just to have my heart ripped out again
LordHarryLatts
LordHarryLatts - 1/8/2016, 6:17 PM
1000000 romantic comedies every year...and most fail...
If you make a good movie, you have nothing to worry about.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 1/8/2016, 6:19 PM
@WakandasSoul i agree. Im not sick and tired of them by any means. Occasionally, I sit back and let I sink in that theirs a bevy of them and I say "wow" lol. I feel a bit overwhelmed by the sheer greatness of it all.
exies7
exies7 - 1/8/2016, 6:21 PM
Fair enough. I'm a little disappointed but I respect their reasons.

I do wish they, marvel and dc (image, too), would tap into the teen/adult cartoon market. Anima and cartoons could be a great way to avoid over saturation to some degree because you're hitting a different demographic (in some regard).

Martian Manhunter cartoon would be cool. Saga cartoon would probably become really popular. Most are a little too aimed at kids (pg as opposed to pg13).
Luigi
Luigi - 1/8/2016, 6:26 PM
Akiva Goldsman being shitty at writing comic adaptations? Say what?
marvel72
marvel72 - 1/8/2016, 6:27 PM
Cancel Gotham and Izombie and replace them with a Titans show.Not over crowded now.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 1/8/2016, 6:32 PM
@WakandasSoul



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