As Warner Bros. builds its blockbuster DC universe across the big-screen and now HBO Max, The CW continues to develop its own comic book world on the small screen. The divisive network debuted its first DC outing over two decades ago with the Superman-inspired Smallville before kicking off its own interconnected world in 2012 with Arrow.
Since then, the Arrowverse has only continued to grow with spin-off series such as The Flash, Supergirl, Batwoman, and Superman and Lois proving to be hits for the network. Recent years have seen new DC shows hitting the network in separate universes from its interconnected world of crossovers including Naomi and Stargirl.
In Arrow's early seasons, the Stephen Amell series was criticized heavily for the inspiration it took from the Batman mythos while completely avoiding any direct mention of the Dark Knight. Since the introduction of Ruby Rose's Batwoman in the Elseworlds crossover event, the Arrowverse has dived deep into the city of Gotham although Bruce Wayne and Batman remain completely absent.
As The CW continues to expand its arsenal of DC ventures, having just announced a series starring Arrow's John Diggle, the network appears set to dive into Gotham once again with a new Batman spin-off.
Batman Spin-Off Receives Pilot Order
Entertainment Weekly revealed that The CW has officially ordered the production of a pilot for DC's Batman-spin-off series Gotham Knights.
The full synopsis for the series confirms it will star Bruce Wayne's "rebellious adopted son" as he teams up with "the children of Batman's enemies" to clear their names and protect the city after they are all framed for the Dark Knight's murder.
"In the wake of Bruce Wayne's murder, his rebellious adopted son forges an unlikely alliance with the children of Batman's enemies when they are all framed for killing the Caped Crusader. And as the city's most wanted criminals, this renegade band of misfits must fight to clear their names. But in a Gotham with no Dark Knight to protect it, the city descends into the most dangerous it's ever been. However, hope comes from the most unexpected of places as this team of mismatched fugitives will become its next generation of saviors known as the Gotham Knights."
Gotham Knights will not be a spin-off of The CW's Batwoman and will seemingly take place in its own universe.
Will The CW's Gotham Knights Go to Series?
The CW's pilot order for Gotham Knights is certainly a promising update for the project, although it doesn't guarantee the Batman spin-off will go to series. As the premiere episode finally receives the green light, producers will soon be getting to work on casting and preparing scripts for the pilot.
With Gotham Knights set to be led by the "rebellious adopted son" of Bruce Wayne, it appears Jason Todd aka Red Hood will serve as the series' star. Although with Titans airing on HBO Max, Curran Walters probably won't be taking on the role with a new actor likely to step in.
Meanwhile, with the rest of the cast being padded out by "the children of Batman's enemies," it will be interesting to see which villains' sons and daughters will be included and how closely they may resemble their parents.
Should Gotham Knights receive a series order, it is expected to premiere at some point in the 2022-23 season.
