Sci-Fi Film and Television Developments

The Graysons
11/7/08 - The CW and Warner Brothers TV have been forced to scrap their plans for The Graysons, a proposed drama about Dick Grayson, the boy wonder who becomes Batman's Robin, Variety reported.  The show had been given a put pilot commitment and was intended to replace the Superman-themed Smallville when it ends its run.  The decision to yank the project came from Warner Brothers Pictures Group president Jeff Robinov, who initially gave his blessing but changed his mind in recent days.  The Graysons was envisioned as a superhero origins story and was developed to revolve around the world of Dick "DJ" Grayson before he took on the iconic Robin identity.

10/1/08 - The CW is readying a series based on Batman sidekick Robin's early days, called The Graysons, Variety reported.  Smallville executive producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson, as well as Supernatural executive producer McG, are behind The Graysons, which has landed a put pilot commitment at the network.  Just as Smallville focused on Clark Kent in the years before he became Superman, The Graysons will follow the world of Dick "DJ" Grayson before he takes on the iconic Robin identity and aligns himself with Batman.  It's the latest DC Comics franchise to be mined for the small screen by Warner Brothers TV. McG's Wonderland Sound and Vision label is also attached.  The Graysons is seen as a potential replacement for Smallville should that show end its run this season, which has been speculated.  In the original Batman mythology, Grayson was a young acrobat and part of the family act called The Flying Graysons. He was orphaned when a gangster sabotaged his parents' trapeze equipment. Bruce Wayne took him under his wing and trained him to help fight crime.  Grayson later morphed into the character of Nightwing, as part of The New Teen Titans, and a series of new Robin replacements were introduced.

AlienAlmanac.com 2008