One of the most notable differences between film and TV productions from Marvel and DC is that Marvel has worked tirelessly to make sure all of their projects on both mediums are canon with each other for an interconnected universe, while DC's have remained largely separate. Even though DC has the more successful run on network TV, along with some success thus far in the streaming world, they have stood firm on their universes being separate, mostly with the use of multiple versions of major characters like the Flash and Superman.
There seems to be a change in this decision coming for the near future after the announcement of a new show on HBO Max led by one of the DCEU's most anticipated new directors...
NEWS
The Hollywood Reporter revealed that HBO Max and The Batman director Matt Reeves have teamed up to create a new police procedural series set in Batman's Gotham City. While the series doesn't have any cast members lined up yet, it is set to take place in the same universe as Matt Reeves' The Batman , which stars Robert Pattinson in the leading role. The new show does not have an official title or a release schedule as of now, though Warner Bros. has reportedly been referring to it as Gotham Central and GCPD during its development.
It's currently unknown if Jeffrey Wright, who plays Commissioner Gordon in The Batman , or Pattinson himself will appear in the show.
Terrence Winter, who created Boardwalk Empire and worked on The Sopranos, is in line to write and executive produce the show alongside Reeves. The announcement was followed up with an official confirmation from Warner Bros. themselves.
HBO Max released this statement about the developing series:
"[The show is] set in the world Reeves is creating for The Batman feature film and will build upon the motion picture’s examination of the anatomy of corruption in Gotham City, ultimately launching a new Batman universe across multiple platforms. The series provides an unprecedented opportunity to extend the world established in the movie and further explore the myriad of compelling and complex characters of Gotham."
HBO Max chief content officer Kevin Reilly shared his hopes for the series:
“Our collaboration with Warner Bros. and DC allows us to elaborate and grow fan connections across these powerful brands for years to come. This is Batman as most audiences have never seen before and we know fans will want to spend more time in this new world inspired by the film."
Reeves also offered his own statement sharing his excitement to be involved in the new project:
This is an amazing opportunity, not only to expand the vision of the world I am creating in the film, but to explore it in the kind of depth and detail that only a longform format can afford. And getting to work with the incredibly talented Terence Winter, who has written so insightfully and powerfully about worlds of crime and corruption, is an absolute dream.
WHAT THIS MEANS
It’s still unknown if this will be a one-time thing or the start of a new trend for the DCEU, but this new series should be an exciting way to expand the Batman universe portion of the DCEU. Considering Bruce Wayne is arguably the most popular hero that DC comics has to offer, he has yet to have his first solo movie in the interconnected franchise after co-starring in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and playing a key role in 2017’s Justice League .
No specific plot details were given with the announcement, but this should be an exciting look into the world of the Gotham City Police department as they fight rampant crime across their neighborhood, either with or against the Caped Crusader. This approach was taken in a similar fashion with the Fox series Gotham , which ran from 2014 to 2019, and it will be exciting to find out exactly how this new show will differentiate itself going forward as a part of the DCEU.
The new show does not have an official title or a release schedule as of now.
