The CW network has greenlit a pilot based on Batman sidekick Robin's early days, called THE GREYSONS, per VARIETY. Clark Kent's pre-Superman days have been explored for the past eight years on SMALLVILLE, and the Robin-centered project could replace it eventually.
SMALLVILLE exec producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson and SUPERNATURAL exec producer McG, under his Wonderland Sound and Vision label are behind THE GRAYSONS. It is also the latest DC Comics franchise turned into a TV show by sibling Warner Bros. TV.
THE GRAYSONS could fit in as a companion piece to SMALLVILLE, and would keep a comics-based story on the CW when the Superman-centered show eventually ends.
Set in modern times, Dick "DJ" Grayson will face challenges involving first love, rivalry and his family as he grows up. Souders and Peterson have an original take on the character, who was a young acrobat in the original Batman comics, orphaned and fought crime with Bruce Wayne's Batman as Robin. Grayson later became the character Nightwing as part of THE NEW TEEN TITANS.
The show is also seen as a gesture WB is making to validate the CW, following strong fall openings of GOSSIP GIRL and 90210. WB has a 50 percent investment in the network.
Souders and Peterson are showrunners with Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer on SMALLVILLE, and told fans on kryptonsite.com on Thursday they are still committed to the current eighth season and a ninth season.
