Live Action ‘Doom Patrol’ Series Coming To DC Universe From Greg Berlanti
DC’s new digital service DC Universe has handed out 13-episode direct-to-series order for a live-action version of the comic book ‘Doom Patrol‘ the new streaming service announced today.
‘Doom Patrol’ is a re-imagining of one of DC’s most beloved group of outcast Super Heroes: Robotman, Negative Man, Elasti-Girl and Crazy Jane, led by modern-day mad scientist Dr. Niles Caulder (The Chief). The Doom Patrol’s members each suffered horrible accidents that gave them superhuman abilities – but also left them scarred and disfigured.
Traumatized and downtrodden, the team found purpose through The Chief, who brought them together to investigate the weirdest phenomena in existence – and to protect Earth from what they find. Part support group, part Super Hero team, the Doom Patrol is a band of super-powered freaks who fight for a world that wants nothing to do with them.
It would seem DC Universe is building a group of interconnected shows in a similar way to the Marvel/Netflix series or Berlanti’s DC/CW shows. “Picking up after the events of ‘Titans’, ‘Doom Patrol’ will find these reluctant heroes in a place they never expected to be, called to action by none other than Cyborg, who comes to them with a mission hard to refuse, but with a warning that is hard to ignore: their lives will never, ever be the same.”
What is interesting to note is the mention of Cyborg in that quote from DC. He is a member of the Teen Titans, but has yet to be mentioned in any of the ‘Titans’ press. However, this would imply we are likely to see the character appear at some point in the ‘Titans’ run and cross over into ‘Doom Patrol’.
The ‘Doom Patrol’ characters first appeared in 1963’s My Greatest Adventure anthology, however, it was the legendary Grant Morrison’s run in the 80’s & 90’s that really popularised the super team.
The ‘Doom Patrol’ series is being written by Jeremy Carver (‘Supernatural’, ‘Frequency’, ‘Being Human’) who will also EP alongside Greg Berlanti, Geoff Johns and Sarah Schechter. Production will start this year with a view to airing in 2019 on DC Universe.
Along with the live-action ‘Titans’ series, also coming to DC Universe are a revamped version of the animated series ‘Young Justice’, titled ‘Young Justice: Outsiders’, a new ‘Harley Quinn’ animated show, and a live-action ‘Swamp Thing’ series. Additionally, there are plans for a ‘Metropolis’ series starring Lois Lane and Lex Luthor set prior to Superman showing up, which was to feature the duo investigate the world of fringe science and expose the city’s dark and bizarre secrets. However, that has been delayed whilst the scripts are redeveloped.
Frustratingly, we still don’t know whether DC Universe is going to roll out worldwide or be only based in the US. We’ll let you know when we hear more.
