It is not the news DC fans may have wanted, but it's what we've got. One upcoming series that was supposed to be ready for a 2019 release has hit a potential roadblock on the way to its premiere. Metropolis, the live-action Superman prequel series is being retooled. The show was supposed to be among those to debut on Warner Bros.'s upcoming digital streaming service, DC Universe. Now those hopes may be in doubt.
All of the giant Vader screams in the world are not likely to change this fact, but it's certainly understandable if fans are disappointed with this surprising news. Deadline's report makes no mention of why the decision was rendered, only that the series is now in redevelopment.
There is not much to go on with regards to the decision to retool the series, and what exactly this retooling will involve. News of the decision comes before any cast announcements have been made. So luckily the retooled version of the show won't involve any cast changes.
Metropolis was only ordered a few months ago. Back in January, DC Universe gave it a straight-to-series order for a first season that would comprise 13 episodes. As its title suggests, Metropolis is set in its namesake before Superman has arrived in the big city. The series revolves around Lois Lane and Lex Luthor, as they investigate the underworld of fringe science whilst exposing the city's strangest and most sinister secrets.
While the show will be undergoing a rework, there is no reason to think we will not eventually see the finished product. It makes sense that DC Universe would want to take whatever extra time is necessary to make sure Metropolis is done right. After all, the show is among its first slate of original programming. Now the question is when, exactly, we'll see the show. With production initially set to begin later this year, it is unclear if the series being retooled will set that start date back aways.
Metropolis hails from a pedigreed roster of DC talent. The executive producers of the series Gotham, John Stephens and Danny Cannon are set to helm the project, and they know their way around a prequel. The Batman prequel series is currently wrapping up its fourth season. The concept behind this Superman prequel sounds equally interesting. A show with two characters as distinctive as Lois Lane and Lex Luthor sharing the stage without Superman has tremendous potential.
What the retooling means for Metropolis' potential premiere date, remains to be seen. What you can see is what's coming up on TV over the next few months. Just check out our guide to this summer's premieres. For more about superhero shows, check out our guide to all of the new and returning super series set to air in 2018.
