HomeDCMatt Reeves Reveals The Reason Behind ‘The Batman’ Spin-Off Shows ‘Arkham Asylum’...

Matt Reeves Reveals The Reason Behind ‘The Batman’ Spin-Off Shows ‘Arkham Asylum’ And ‘Gotham PD’ Getting Scrapped By HBO

Matt Reeves, the mastermind behind the critically acclaimed ‘The Batman’, had talked about how his ambitious plans for expanding the Gotham City universe have been thwarted by network executives.

Originally, Reeves had envisioned a series of spin-off shows delving into the gritty underbelly of the city. He wanted to focus on the ‘Gotham PD‘ and ‘Arkham Asylum‘. However, these plans have been put on hold as the network opted for a more “character-driven approach”.

Related: Director Matt Reeves Compares Bruce Wayne To The Kennedys

Matt Reeves Admits ‘Gotham PD’ Got Dropped For Not Being About The Main Characters

(L) Arkham Asylum and (R) Gotham PD (Image: DC)
(L) Arkham Asylum and (R) Gotham PD (Image: DC)

Reeves had previously shared his vision for the ‘Gotham PD’ series, painting a bleak picture of a city plagued by corruption. “It wasn’t going to be a Batman story, it was going about this corrupt cop,” Matt said on the HappySad Podcast.

The show would not be about Batman, it would’ve focused on a morally compromised cop while he navigated a world where the GCPD itself was a cesspool of criminality. Additionally, the character would have intersected with Commissioner Gordon’s storyline. This would offer a complex and morally ambiguous perspective on the city’s law enforcement. 

Unfortunately, this ambition was sidelined in favor of a more traditional approach. According to EW, Reeves claimed that network executives expressed a desire to “lean harder into the marquee characters.They suggested a focus on Batman and other established heroes rather than the side stories. This led to the show getting scrapped. 

Reeves then shifted his focus on to Arkham Asylum’ which ended up having the same fate. Moreover, the decision to prioritize established characters is a strategic one. It guarantees a built-in audience and reduces the risk associated with introducing new protagonists. However, it also limits the potential for storytelling and world-building.

In case you missed it: “I Did A Deep Dive And Read So Many” Matt Reeves As He Reveals The Comics That Inspired THE BATMAN

Reeves On Putting Storylines Of The Scrapped Show In ‘The Penguin’

The Penguin (Image: HBO Max)
The Penguin (Image: HBO)

Matt Reeves has revealed that elements from the scrapped show found a new home in the ‘The Penguin’ series. While ‘Gotham PD’ never got the chance, Reeves cleverly used the idea of a power vacuum created by the Riddler’s chaos as a springboard for Penguin’s rise to power. 

Moreover, he managed to incorporate some of the ideas to give the scrapped shows justice. Additionally, by positioning Penguin as an underestimated figure, Reeves managed to infuse the character’s story with elements of the original series concept. 

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Vanshika Minakshi
Vanshika Minakshihttps://firstcuriosity.com/
Vanshika is a content writer at FirstCuriosity, diving into the vibrant universe of celebrities, movies, and TV shows with fervor. Her passion extends beyond her professional endeavors, as she immerses herself in the realms of rap music and video games, constantly seeking inspiration from diverse sources. She is a business student with a knack for marketing blending analytical insights with creative instincts to craft compelling narratives. When not working you can find her spending times with her beloved pet dogs or watching true crime documentaries.

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