Via HBO, SHOWTIME, FX, A&E, Netflix, and others, there’s a lot of great TV out there today. Heck, I’d say that a lot of what’s on TV now is superior to films, and many filmmakers and actors are flocking to that medium.
Yes, Batman always been deemed the “crown jewel” of Warner Bros. and the character’s live-action adventures should come exclusively on the big screen. And to be honest, that’s how I felt about it as well.
But, things have changed. Like I said, TV productions today are really good and often prestigious. THE SOPRANOS, GAME OF THRONES, HOUSE OF CARDS, FARGO, BREAKING BAD, BETTER CALL SAUL, THE WALKING DEAD, etc., etc., etc. You get the point.
So I wonder…is it time for a live-action Batman TV series? Maybe not NOW now, but at some point in the near future.
I’m not talking about prequels like GOTHAM or Batman family member origin stories like the upcoming PENNYWORTH. No, I’m talking about a full-on Batman TV series. And here’s how I would do it…
- Hire an experienced TV showrunner who has a passion for the character of Batman and is well-versed in the Bat-mythos.
- We don’t need a “how Bruce Wayne becomes Batman” origin story. The audience doesn’t need to see the Wayne murders (AGAIN!), nor do we need to see Bruce traveling the world in his pre-Batman days. We don’t even need to see the moment when he decided to become Batman (“I shall become a BAT!). The series starts with Bruce Wayne already Batman and has been Batman for…
- More than a year but less than two? Yeah, that works. That way, we don’t have to see all of Bruce’s rookie mistakes, but he’s not yet the fully-formed, in-his-prime Dark Knight. This TV version of Batman should be able to kick a lot of ass, but he still how a lot to learn.
- Outside of Alfred and Jim Gordon, no Batman Family…not yet. As the series progress, members of Team Batman are slowly and strategically introduced…starting with Dick Grayson’s Robin.
- Batman’s villains? Let’s now do it the right way — not bass ackwards as it was done on GOTHAM. Batman’s villains should be a reaction to him, NOT the other way around. Start with Batman fighting the mob and petty street crime, as escalation brings on the rise of Gotham’s supervillains.
- Finally, how does this Batman TV series end? No, not with Batman dying or passing the mantle to Dick Grayson/Jason Todd/Tim Drake/Terry McGinnis/whomever. End this thing with that fully-formed, in-his-prime Batman, and a complete “Batman Universe.”
With all that said, I’m not sure that Warner Bros. thinks such a thing is a good idea. I’m not talking about my pitch and how I’d do it, but an actual live-action Batman TV series starring, well, Batman. And frankly, I’m still torn about the prospect myself.
What do you all think? Is it time for a well-produced, live-action Batman TV series? And if so, how would you do it? If it isn’t, why? Post your takes in the comments section below! – Bill “Jett” Ramey
Is a live-action Batman TV series a good idea?