HBO Max commits to series spin-off from Matt Reeves' 'The Batman'

In a notable example of corporate synergy, streaming service HBO Max has given a series commitment to a drama set in the same world as sister company Warner Bros’ upcoming feature The Batman. 

Director Matt Reeves and producer Dylan Clark, who are set to resume shooting the feature in the UK later this year, will also be executive producers on the as yet untitled series. Terence Winter, creator of HBO series Boardwalk Empire, will write the series and serve as an executive producer. 

The feature, with Robert Pattinson making his debut as the DC Comics title character, recently had its release date pushed from late June to October 1 of 2021. 

HBO Max, launched in the US in May, provided no information on the timing or casting of the series but said in a statement that the TV project “will build upon the motion picture’s examination of the anatomy of corruption in Gotham City, ultimately launching a new Batman universe across multiple platforms.” 

The series is the first TV project for Reeves under his recently announced overall deal with the Warner Bros Television Group. The filmmaker’s 6^th & Idaho production company will produce the series in association with Warner Bros Television. Warner Bros International Television Distribution will distribute the series globally. 

In a statement, Reeves said the series provides “an amazing opportunity, not only to expand the vision of the world I am creating in the film, but to explore it in the kind of depth and detail that only a long form format can afford — and getting to work with the incredibly talented Terence Winter, who has written so insightfully and powerfully about worlds of crime and corruption, is an absolute dream.” 

HBO Max chief content officer Kevin Reilly added: “Our collaboration with Warner Bros and DC allows us to elaborate and grow fan connections across these powerful brands for years to come. This is Batman as most audiences have never seen before and we know fans will want to spend more time in this new world inspired by the film.”