This afternoon, The CW Senior Vice President of Network Communications Paul Hewitt announced to the Television Critics Association a deal with Rob Thomas for a “Veronica Mars” spinoff to air on the network’s digital arm, CW Seed. Then Hewitt introduced The CW President Mark Pedowitz to take questions, which included follow-ups on “Veronica Mars.” I asked if the Veronica Mars movie is what got this spinoff going.
“Well the Veronica Mars movie Rob Thomas is doing with Kickstarter got it going,” replied Pedowitz, adding that this conversation only began last week. “He’s excited to do this for CW Seed. It may not come out before the Veronica Mars movie. We’re very excited. Rob is very excited to try to do something for CW Seed.”
Later, in follow-up questions after the executive panel, Pedowitz clarified why the “Veronica Mars” spinoff was right for digital over the newtork. “More timing,” he said. “Having the opportunity to do anything on ‘Veronica Mars’ with Rob Thomas who I’m a fan of, who I worked with at ABC Studio is just great. I have great faith in Rob that he’ll deliver something that’ll be fantastic and should it ever turn into a TV series again, hopefully he’ll think about it.”
None of the Veronica Mars cast is attached yet, and for all we know the movie is introducing new characters whom the spinoff could follow. “Rob will tell us when he’s ready to do something and if they’re there, they’re there. If they’re not, they’re not. I think he’ll make a great show.”
During the panel, Pedowitz also discussed the prospects for a “The Flash” spinoff from “Arrow.” I’m very bullish on the show. I think what Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, Geoff Johns and Marc Guggenheim did introducing The Flash was great. Because of that, we felt rather than try to squeeze in a spinoff, when we do make the series it’ll be with a bang like ‘Arrow.’”
During the follow-up questions, Pedowitz said that Fox’s “Gotham” show would not rule out an “Arrow” appearance by Bruce Wayne. “Never say never. Remember Bruce Wayne on ‘Gotham’ is 12-years-old. I think he’ll be a little bit older if he does appear on any of our shows.”
Kevin Reilly told us on Fox’s TCA day that his network has all the rights to the Batman universe from DC. Pedowitz believes the rights may still be flexible. “I don’t believe that’s quite true. From my sources, I don’t believe that’s quite true.”
Otherwise, Pedowitz doesn’t feel the “Gotham” rights affect The CW shows anyway. “Fox’s ‘Gotham’ show is an origination show of Chief Gordon,” Pedowitz said during the panel. “They do not impact us. Gotham is one universe. Starling City is another. Keystone City if ‘The Flash’ goes is another. We’re much more in a different time. We’ll see what happens.”
Also during the panel, Pedowitz was asked if an “Hourlman” show was still in the works. “Still waiting for a script,” he said. “A lot of scripts have not come in yet. We’re waiting for writers to deliver. As soon as I get enough scripts I’ll start making recommendations.”
While Wonder Woman got a role in the upcoming Batman Vs. Superman movie, her potential CW show “Amazon” unfortunately is on hold. “‘Amazon’’ is in abeyance right now,” Pedowitz told me during follow-ups. “We did not go forward with it. If the right material comes along, we would but just right now we’re not going in any further development.”
Pedowitz had high hopes for “Supernatural” continuing during the panel, and during follow-ups he talked about the “Supernatural” spin-off. “Set in Chicago, hunters, monsters. The script just came in. They’re supposed to get it to me today or tomorrow.”
The characters from “Supernatural” may appear in the spinoff’s pilot to introduce the new show. “In the spinoff episode, they would be in it. Whether they’re in the series, for me spinoffs to work have to stand on their own two legs so you could only organically do those crossovers when the time is right. Like we did with ‘The Originals,’ we didn’t see Michael Trevino’s character, Tyler, come in until the seventh or eighth episode. By that time the show was standing up on its own two legs.”
