Dick Grayson/Robin Pilot

[Gay Titan]

According to Variety, the CW is preparing a new series based on Dick Grayson – before he was Robin, the sidekick of Batman. Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson – executive producers of Smallville, and Supernatual executive producer McG are behind the project, which has received a put pilot commitment from CW.

As the trade reports, the series will take a Smallville tone in that it will focus on the young man (Dick “DJ” Grayson - his full name is Richard John Grayson) before his hero days. The series will either replace Smallville, if this turns out to be the series final season, as many are speculating, or be a companion piece to the series starring a young Clark Kent, if this season’s ratings justify a ninth season.

Like Smallville, The Graysons will take elements of the character from DC Comics continuity, and put its own spin on it. In the original origin of Robin, there was virtually no backstory given, save that his parents died as a result of a gangster’s extortion scheme at the Haly Circus, where the Flying Graysons were performing. Some backstory has been added in since that story in 1940’s Detective Comics #38, but never with the scope that The Graysons is aiming at.

From Variety:

In the one-hour "Graysons," which will be set in modern times, young DJ will face challenges involving first loves, young rivals and his family as he grows up. Souders and Peterson have come up with an original take on the character.

Given the comparisons to Smallvile, its likely that The Graysons will cast Dick...”DJ”...along the lines of Chris O’Donnell in 1995’s Batman Forever, that is a teenager, rather than the young boy as seen in the original comics. What will be interesting to see is how and when other DC Comics characters and elements will be introduced into the series, as the audience will be waiting to see who the series casts as Bruce Wayne.

[Jeff]

Hmmmm.  I'm dubious.

[Collector1]

Seriously? This has got to be fake! A young Bruce Wayne series or a Green Arrow series yeah, I can see that, but a Dick Grayson series? Naw. What was he before hand? A freaking Trapees artist! Maybe a mini-series would work.

[EmeraldWarrior420]

I HATE ROBIN!!!

[Brindrod]

I guess this will be Dick Grayson in name only to get an instant audience with the comic book fans.

Other than that, the story of a teen in growing pains whose parents were murdered by the mafia is what the execs will be selling to the public.  Good luck to them!

[Gay Titan]

UPDATE...

The CW has grounded The Graysons before they could even get into the air.

About a month ago, The CW announced plans for a TV show starring Dick Grayson and his family before the events that led to him becoming Robin. Now Variety reports the show is dead per a decision from Warner Bros. Pictures Group president Jeff Robinov, “who initially gave his blessing but changed his mind in recent days,” the trade reports:

According to studio insiders, Robinov has decreed that Warner Bros. “rethink its DC Comics strategy” and as a result didn’t want to do anything big with a DC franchise at the moment — at least when it came to “Graysons.”

“The studio has opted not to go forward with the development of ‘The Graysons’ at this time as the concept doesn’t fit the current strategy for the Batman franchise,” the studio said in a statement. “Warner Bros. Television is currently working on several replacement options for the CW.”

The trade cites a couple of other reasons that may have played into the decision, such as Christopher Nolan being uncomfortable with the show or the possibility that having a Batman-themed show on the air could hurt the movie franchise.

[EmeraldWarrior420]

Good, maybe they can make room for a better super-hero show.

-Nate-

[Collector1]

It's official! There is a God and he loves me!

[Tokyo Vigilante #1]

Though I'm more interested in Grayson/Robin/Nightwing stuff far more than Batman himself, even I know that the audience would just be tapping their collective foot waiting on the Dark Knight.