Batman spin-off ‘Arkham’ TV series set in new DC Universe, confirms James Gunn

Confirmation has surfaced regarding the development of an Arkham series within the New DC Universe, helmed by Matt Reeves, the director of The Batman.

Originally intended as a prequel series centered on the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD), the concept shifted towards focusing on the enigmatic Arkham Asylum, housing Gotham's most notorious villains.

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, in response to a fan query on Threads, affirmed that Reeves would produce the Arkham series within the newly crafted DC Universe, distinct from the DC Elseworlds continuity co-created by Reeves and Peter Safran.

Initially conceived as a deep dive into the GCPD's inner workings, exploring Gotham's corruption and criminal underworld, the series transformed into a horror narrative set within Arkham Asylum.

Gunn outlined, "Right now, Matt is producing Arkham as a DCU series, so there's just the two for now," referring to The Batman: Part II and The Penguin series for Max. These projects reside in the DC Elseworlds, offering alternative storylines without binding to the mainline DCU canon.

Other projects in this universe include Todd Phillips' Joker: Folie à Deux and Teen Titans GO!—expanding the superhero universe while preserving continuity.

Interestingly, Gunn mentioned presenting the Arkham series as a DC Universe project during discussions with Warner Bros. Discovery, unaware of subsequent alterations. The day before assuming roles as DC Studios co-heads, filmmaker Antonio Campos, known for psychological thrillers, was brought in as a potential showrunner and director for the Arkham Asylum show.

Within this universe, a new actor will portray Batman/Bruce Wayne, distinct from Robert Pattinson, who starred in The Batman. This divergence was part of Reeves' vision for his BatVerse, planned before Gunn and Safran's involvement. Plans include spin-off TV shows centered on antagonists like Professor Pyg, Clayface, and Scarecrow.

Gunn and Safran introduced ambitious long-term plans, named ‘Gods and Monsters,’ for the upcoming chapter of DC Universe, interconnecting narratives across films, TV, gaming, and animation. This includes Superman: Legacy starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan as Clark Kent and Lois Lane, slated for release in July 2025.

The lineup extends to a Creature Commandos animated show, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Booster Gold, and a limited series featuring Amanda Waller.

However, no specific release date has been disclosed for the Arkham TV series at present.