Just last year it was challenging to find any live-action stories set in the universe created by DC Comics. What a difference a year makes…The Flash and Arrow are both hit shows which have been crossing over and scoring stellar ratings. Gotham is on FOX and has already had its season extended by six episodes. A TV show based on Supergirl is being prepped on CBS, while a Teen Titans adaptation called Titans is being readied for the TNT network. It seems that the SyFy network felt left out of the party, but don’t fret, they are going to get a show as well.
Fans of comic books and Superman in particular have grown accustomed to origin stories. We have already seen Gotham and a variation of the early years of Clark Kent in Smallville. Now another prequel TV show is on its way. Except this show is going back…like way back into Superman’s past. Like two generations into his past…
David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Man of Steel) and Ian Goldberg (Once Upon A Time) came up with a prequel story about the planet that Superman originated from. Here is how The Hollywood Reporter describes the project.
From Warner Horizon Television and DC Comics, Krypton takes place years before the Superman legend we know, when the House of El was shamed and ostracized. This drama, which is in development, follows the Man of Steel’s grandfather as he brings hope and equality to Krypton, turning a planet in disarray into one worthy of giving birth to the greatest Super Hero ever known.
Goyer conceived the story and wrote the script for Man of Steel, so it would make sense that he would want to adapt a show from the backstory he created. One of the more surprising elements of the movie, was the world-building he and director Zack Snyder did for the planet of Krypton. It was arguably the best realization of Superman’s homeworld that we have gotten on film. There are also some good peeks into Kryptonian society in comic storylines such as Superman: Birthright. However the scope and feel of Krypton in Man of Steel, was a fascinating new take on the planet that peaked the imagination of many unsuspecting audience members. The show’s sets won’t necessarily feel or look like their movie counterpart, but there will certainly be new areas to explore.
Does this series seem necessary? Not at all. But Gotham is a hit and the suits are looking at capitalizing on the blue and red tights anyway possible. They can’t do a young Superman, since that ground has already been covered in Smallville and there is also the Supergirl TV show flying onto airwaves next year. The only place to go is way back for untapped material. It is surprising that this series isn’t focused on Superman’s father Jor-El. Perhaps they didn’t want it to potentially conflict with whatever backstories they will be utilizing in both the Man of Steel and Justice League franchises.
The thought of following the adventures of Super-Grandpa honestly doesn’t sound like a good idea. And where do you put a science-fiction show that seems too ludicrous for the average TV watcher? The SyFy channel. To be fair, they haven’t always been known for movies like Sharknado. They also have the award-winning Battlestar Galactica on their resume as well, so it is possible to have quality entertainment on the network. A political drama set is space has certainly worked before and the possibility to tap into Superman’s mythology, such as Zod’s ancestors or the creation of Brainiac, is potentially there. There is no backstory from that time period to tie them down, so they will have free reign to craft the exact show they are envisioning. In any case, SyFy wins by being able to carry a show with the Superman emblem.
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Source: THR