DC Strikes Down The Batman Spinoff Set in Arkham Asylum
Unfortunately, a deep dive into Gotham’s famous mental asylum isn’t in the cards for DC.
On Friday, Variety reported that a TV series based around Arkham Asylum, the infamous prison for supervillains in Gotham City, is not moving forward at Max. Previously, this series was to serve as a spinoff for Matt Reeve’s 2022 superhero film The Batman.
I’m mad about the Matt reeves Arkham Asylum series getting cancelled pic.twitter.com/byZAIlAHgO
— (@unlimited_void3) July 6, 2024
The spinoff was first announced in July 2020. At the time, it centered around the Gotham Police Department. Terence Winter (The Wolf of Wall Street) was initially attached as writer and showrunner. However, he exited the project in November due to creative differences. Afterward, Joe Barton (The Lazarus Project) joined the project before eventually departing. Shortly after the release of The Batman, the series changed to center on Arkham Asylum. In addition, Antoine Campos (The Staircase) joined the series as the new showrunner.
Still think about the Gotham PD show. Clashed early on with the studio who insisted that Billionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne and the vigilante known as 'Batman' couldn't be in scenes together because they were, in fact, the same man. I refused to believe it then and I still do
— Joe Barton (@JoeBarton_) July 6, 2024
No news came regarding the spinoff until December of last year when DC CEO James Gunn revealed that the series takes place in the DCU rather than the universe of The Batman. Following the delay of The Batman Part II to 2026, the signs seem to indicate that less focus is on Matt Reeves and his standalone Batman universe. Previously including a full trilogy of movies and multiple spinoffs, now the question remains whether the universe will continue beyond The Batman Part II.
The first spinoff of The Batman, centered around Colin Farrell’s Penguin, releases in September exclusively on Max. In addition, actor Andy Serkis, who portrays Alfred Pennyworth, revealed recently that the sequel will start shooting early next year. This puts it easily on track to hit its 2026 release date.
You can watch The Batman on Max.
