‘Poison Ivy’ And ‘Catwoman’ Series Pitches Rejected By DC And HBO
DC Studios has been navigating a complex path over the past three years as it shapes its television future, a journey that has proven to be more tumultuous than fans anticipated. In 2023, James Gunn and Peter Safran took on their new roles with a bold and expansive lineup of films and shows designed to provide the DC Universe with the interconnectedness that Marvel achieved over the years.
This initial wave of announcements featured ambitious projects, including spinoffs centered on beloved characters and prequels that delved into aspects of the DC lore that had previously been overlooked. However, not all ideas transitioned smoothly from concept to production, leading to an increasing list of abandoned projects.
As reported by Film Updates, referencing a new article from The Ankler, standalone series focused on ‘Poison Ivy’ and ‘Catwoman’ were pitched to DC and HBO during this development phase, but both proposals were ultimately rejected. This decision appears to be part of a broader trend of DC and HBO turning down various ideas as they refine their focus.
The Ankler report, released just days before the debut of ‘Lanterns’ on HBO Max, also indicates that two previously announced DC series are no longer in development at HBO. Both ‘Waller,’ a spinoff featuring Amanda Waller with Viola Davis expected to reprise her role, and ‘Paradise Lost,’ a prequel exploring the Amazons on Themyscira before Diana Prince became Wonder Woman, have reportedly been shelved after extensive development.
The report suggests that Gunn, Safran, and HBO chief Casey Bloys are carefully evaluating which projects should proceed, leading to the cancellation of several others. This context makes the rejections of ‘Poison Ivy’ and ‘Catwoman’ seem less like isolated incidents and more indicative of a stricter creative direction at DC Studios.
Not every project from the original slate has been discarded. ‘Booster Gold,’ another series from the initial Chapter One announcements, is still in development despite undergoing its own creative changes after the departure of its original team. Meanwhile, ‘Lanterns,’ featuring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre and created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, is set to premiere on HBO Max this Sunday, August 16, after nearly seven years of development.
This situation unfolds amid a chaotic corporate landscape. Warner Bros. Discovery is currently involved in a proposed acquisition by Paramount Skydance valued at approximately 111 billion dollars, a deal that faces regulatory and legal hurdles impacting Warner Bros., HBO Max, and DC Studios. While there’s no indication that the decisions regarding ‘Poison Ivy’ and ‘Catwoman’ are linked to this merger, the uncertainty surrounding WBD adds another layer of complexity to DC’s diminishing television aspirations.
For fans eager to see Pamela Isley or Selina Kyle receive their own spotlight outside of a Batman-centric narrative, this news is disappointing, even if the possibility remains for future projects. What kind of story would you have liked to see in a ‘Poison Ivy’ or ‘Catwoman’ solo series if either had made it to the screen?