Supergirl Takes Flight With TV Series From Greg Berlanti & Ali Adler
by Nellie Andreeva
On the heels of the success of Arrow and the strong buzz for its upcoming offshoot The Flash, both co-created and executive produced by Greg Berlanti, the top producer is looking to transition another popular DC superhero character to the small screen. I’ve learned that Berlanti has teamed with Ali Adler, who worked on his ABC series No Ordinary Family, for a TV series based on Supergirl. Warner Bros. TV, which is behind all DC TV series, will produce with Berlanti’s studio-based Berlanti Prods.
I hear the project, which is still in development, will be a new interpretation of the the Supergirl character and her story. Adler is expected to write the script and executive produce with Berlanti. DC’s Geoff Johns, who has been involved in both Arrow and The Flash, is also expected to be part of the project but it is unclear at this time what his role will be. The Supergirl show doesn’t have a name yet. I hear the producers are considering several options that need to be cleared, including Super and Girl. The project is expected to be taken out in a couple of weeks and pitched to the major networks the way WBTV and DC did with their high profile Batman prequel Gotham, which landed at Fox with a big commitment. The Supergirl series had been in the works at WBTV for some time with Berlanti and Adler. Contrary to a report that was picked up by a number of outlets, Michael Green has had no involvement in the project.
Created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959, there had been several characters that had assumed the Supergirl persona, most notably Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El, who shares his super powers and vulnerability to Kryptonite.
There will be four DC/WBTV series on the air this coming season, Gotham, the CW’s Arrow and The Flash and NBC’s Constantine. In addition to Arrow and The Flash, Berlanti has new NBC crime dramedy The Mysteries of Laura, and his company just sold conspiracy thriller Blindspot to NBC. Berlanti and Adler are repped by WME.