 In
October 2001, it was announced that the WB Network has ordered a pilot
episode for Birds of Prey, based on the comic book
starring Oracle (the former Batgirl, now paralyzed) and the heroine
known as the Black Canary. The show will be produced by Tollin-Robbins
Productions, the same folks who are bringing us Smallville
every week.
Some
pilot episode "sides" have managed to find their way out
in fan-land, and sites such as Comics2Film
and Dark Horizons
have also been covering the show's development. Thanks to what they've
been able to find out about the show, and what we here at KryptonSite
have learned, here are some nuggets about the upcoming series, which
is currently being cast:
*
Where Smallville is a "prequel" to the Superman
legend, the Birds of Prey is in a way a sequel to the Batman
legend, even going so far as to take place in the future. Barbara
Gordon's previous career as Batgirl is in the past; and in fact,
much like The
Dark Knight Returns, the Batman is not active; instead in
some sort of "exile."
*
The show's heroines, like the Birds
of Prey comic, include Black Canary and Oracle, of course...
but that's not how it will begin. The partnership of Oracle and
the Huntress dates back further in this series, and the Huntress
apparently has a lot of resentment about her current role in life.
"You chose this, you seeked him out," the Huntress argues
with Oracle. The two first come across a 16-year-old runaway named
Dinah in the show's pilot (although, things could change between
the casting script sides and that which will come later).
*
The background of the Huntress might be a bit more like her Pre-Crisis
counterpart. With a name like Helena Kyle, she must be the daughter
of *someone* catty. (Hint: "Mom" is likely visible on
the Birds graphic next to this article)
*
Fans looking for tension between the Huntress and Oracle will be
happy to see that their relationship isn't that far off from what
you see in the comics. The two characters are *very* different people
with what seem to be very different methods, and this will surely
lead into some friction. The addition of a third character to the
mix (Dinah, the Black Canary) will only enhance this.
*
The Dark Horizons description of the show's casting call said "there
are no costumes or mask but instead 'body armor, cutting-edge weapons
[and] occassional metahuman powers'."
*
The show's pilot episode is being written by Laeta Kalogridis, who
worked on the movie Lara
Croft: Tomb Raider.
*
Nothing has been said about frequent Birds comic book guest
stars like Blue Beetle, Nightwing, or Power Girl; or of the villainous
Ravens.
*
There still is no guarantee that the Birds of Prey will indeed
ever hit the air. A Bruce Wayne pilot script, also by Tollin-Robbins
didn't even get filmed, despite great fan buzz. And even before
that, in 1997, CBS ordered a pilot episode for the Justice League
that was so awful it may have made Emeril look like an Emmy winner.
However, the WB's success with Smallville might help the show significantly.
*
If you're curious about the Birds of Prey comic, DC Comics has released
a compilation of the first stories of the Oracle/Black Canary teamups.
You can order it (and support KryptonSite!) by clicking here.
You can also find new issues of Birds at comic book shops
everywhere.
*
Barbara (Oracle) makes the comment "we don't kill people."
Huntress responds, "Speak for yourself." This shows the
two have VERY different methods. Attn. WB: Your perfect Huntress
would be Eliza Dushku!
*
Dinah apparently has dreams that can predict the future in some
day. In one dream she predicts meeting the Huntress.
*
Much like the Black Canary often does in the comics, the Huntress
chooses to ignore Oracle's connection by turning her phone off.
She claims at first that the batteries are dead, and then Oracle
reminds her that they are "ten-year self-recharging fused power
cells." The tension between the two characters will likely
be the best part of the show, if it happens.
*
Despite their tensions, you can tell that Barbara and Helena (the
Huntress) have a respect and admiration for one another. In what
may be the pilot's final scene, the two talk about the "old
days" and what it was like to "race across the rooftops
under the moon."
*
Oracle refers to "Helena's father -- Gotham's greatest champion
-- and most people never even knew he existed." Could Helena's
father indeed be who it sounds like? This may add yet another layer
to this already interesting-sounding show. Keep in mind that in
the pre-Crisis comics, the Huntress of Earth-2 was the daughter
of Batman.
*
In a scene that may have Bat-fans extremely excited, there is a
flashback scene involving Barbara as Batgirl against the Joker,
with a black-clad figure in silhouette. Apparently the Joker was
the one behind a horrible night that left tragedy for Helena and
Barbara.
*
Helena has a shrink who also has a tie to the Batman universe. Think
"Mad Love" for "Mister J." Yeah, her.
Keep
in mind that between script and filming certain elements may change
-- for example, DC Comics might say "No, you can't even refer
to Batman." Birds also isn't on the WB's
Fall 2002 schedule as a definite, but judging from the material
that has leaked out, it'd be insane NOT to pick it up.
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