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Was Arkham Ever Set in "The Batman" Universe or Was It Always DCU?

DC Studios' James Gunn offered a lot of clarity on the future of Matt Reeves's Arkham Asylum series, but now we're confused on its backstory.

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Article Summary

  • James Gunn clarifies that the "Arkham Asylum" series will be part of the DCU, not the "Batverse".
  • The "Arkham" project was always planned for the DCU, according to Gunn.
  • Originally focused on the GCPD, the project evolved into an "Arkham Asylum"-focused series.
  • Antonio Campos is reportedly on board to write, direct, and serve as showrunner with Matt Reeves producing under 6th & Idaho.

Over the weekend, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn made some news regarding Matt Reeves's "Arkham Asylum" series, one of two spinoffs from the Robert Pattinson-starring The Batman feature (with the Colin Farrell-starring The Penguin being the other). It turns out that the series won't be set in Reeves's "Batverse" ("Elseworlds") after all, with Gunn confirming that "Arkham" will be set in the DCU and that Reeves will be working on projects in both universes. Except, it seems that as far as Gunn is concerned, the project was never a "Batverse" title, so no change actually occurred.

arkham
Image: DC Comics

When asked if the series was always planned to be a DCU series, Gunn responded, "Yes. It was one of the first pitches we bought when Peter [Safran] and I came onboard. I don't know the permutations it went through before that time" (with Gunn noting "it wasn't changed" in another response). So if Gunn & DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran were pitched the series at the start of their run, and Gunn wasn't aware of what went on with the project prior to that, that means the decision to shift directions on the project from "Batverse" to DCU was made before then. Hmmm… wonder what the thinking was in making the decision. Stay tuned…?

Arkham
Image: Threads Screencap
Arkham
Image: Threads Screencap

Back in 2022, Reeves confirmed that his previously-announced spinoff series focusing on Gotham City PD was on hold and that a series focusing on Arkham Asylum had "evolved" out of it. When Reeves' spinoff project was still focusing on the GCPD, Terence Winter was set to write and executive produce, but Winter would depart months later over creative differences. From there, Joe Barton (Giri/Haji) was brought on to tackle the project, but Barton would depart the project when the focus shifted to Arkham Asylum. In October 2022, it was reported that Antonio Campos (HBO's The Staircase) had boarded the project as its new writer, and to direct episodes, serve as showrunner & executive produce. Reeves is set to executive produce the Arkham Asylum project under his 6th & Idaho banner alongside Daniel Pipski and Adam Kassan. Dylan Clark is also set to executive produce with 6th & Idaho's Rafi Crohn on board to co-executive produce. Warner Bros. Television will serve as the studio, which is where Reeves currently has an overall creative deal.

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Ray FlookAbout Ray Flook

Serving as Television Editor since 2018, Ray began five years earlier as a contributing writer/photographer before being brought onto the core BC team in 2017.
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