As a seasoned gamer and a die-hard fan of Batman, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia and regret when I think about the lost opportunities that could have graced our screens. The idea of a Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) series, set in the same universe as the recent Batman films, had me on the edge of my seat with anticipation.
2022 marked a fresh start in the annals of Batman live-action movies as I put on the cape and cowl for The Batman, and I’m set to reprise the role in 2026 for The Batman: Part II. Beyond the main film series, this universe crafted by filmmaker Matt Reeves has grown to encompass television too. Currently airing on HBO, with Max subscription, we have The Penguin series. Initially, though, the first TV show set in this world was meant to revolve around the Gotham City Police Department. As details about the abandoned project surface, I can’t help but feel a twinge of regret for what could have been.
Terence Winter, known for creating shows like ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and ‘Tulsa King’, shared insights on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy podcast regarding a potential GCPD series he was involved with, where he would have been the showrunner if it had progressed. Here’s what Winter discussed about the storyline:
The concept revolved around creating a modern-day television series set within the Gotham City Police Department, reminiscent of the 1980s crime drama “Prince of the City.” It aimed to capture the essence of the ’70s while incorporating contemporary elements. The protagonist is a third-generation police officer, whose family history in Gotham City includes corruption. He finds himself questioning his allegiance as he uncovers the truth about the department’s corrupt nature. Batman exists within this world, but remains an elusive figure. Instead, the focus lies on the police department and our protagonist’s journey.
This seems similar to how the TV series of Batman’s Epic Crime Saga might have mirrored the Gotham Central comic books, written by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka, and illustrated by Michael Lark. The focus would not primarily be on Batman himself but rather delving into the GCPD’s inner workings, specifically through a third-generation police force. Given the gritty reality portrayed in The Batman, this series could have been an excellent opportunity to deepen the mythology. However, Matt Reeves and Terence Winter didn’t see eye-to-eye on the project’s direction, leading to Winter leaving the production in late 2020.
After spending some time on it, Matt just didn’t seem interested and moved on. Then someone else took over the project, though I can’t recall his name – the man who worked on “Tokyo Vice.” He persisted for a while, but that didn’t pan out either. To this day, I have no idea what he accomplished. Later, I stumbled upon The Penguin’s story.
Looking back, I harbor no grudge against Reeves, as it seems we simply didn’t click creatively on the same wavelength. Moreover, I admit that the existence of Fox’s Gotham series, which ran for five seasons without featuring Batman until the end, somewhat encroached upon our initial concept, even though our vision was destined to be entirely unique.
For the Batman franchise, there had been a planned Arkham Asylum series, but it was cancelled in July. Currently, only “The Penguin” TV show is part of the Batman Epic Crime Saga. It’s possible that later this year or in 2025, we might hear about another project being developed. Every Sunday night, you can catch “The Penguin” on HBO, and “The Batman: Part II” is set to release on October 2, 2026.
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2024-09-28 03:08