DC's Second Villain-Focused TV Series After The Penguin Revealed, Not Connected To The Batman

Much of the industry remains in a wait-and-see holding pattern as the merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Skydance Paramount inches its way across the finish line, but the show must go on — at least as far as the DC Universe is concerned. HBO's "Lanterns" already debuted to a great degree of critical praise, "Clayface" is set to release in theaters this very week, and seemingly the entire superhero world is holding its breath to see Matt Reeves' long-awaited sequel "The Batman: Part II" come to fruition (though now with Steven Soderbergh stepping in to bring it home). Now, in an unexpected development, one of the key creative figures behind the well-received "The Penguin" series is coming back for more ... but with a few big wrinkles.

Deadline is reporting that Lauren LeFranc, creator and showrunner of "The Penguin," is now "in talks" to join a new series focused on another fan-favorite DC villain: Poison Ivy. However, LeFranc would be involved in this show in a producing capacity, not as a full-fledged writer. In fact, no writers (or even a showrunner) have yet been announced, along with whichever actor would potentially be cast to fill the role of the high-profile title character. What we do know, thanks to the original report, is that this wouldn't take place within Reeves' self-contained universe led by Robert Pattinson's Batman. Instead, this will presumably be developed for James Gunn's ongoing franchise that includes "Peacemaker," "Superman" and its upcoming sequel, "Supergirl," "Lanterns," and "Clayface" (and maybe "The Suicide Squad," depending on the day).

As for what this Poison Ivy-centric series might end up covering, well, we have some ideas.

James Gunn's DC Universe is rounding into shape before our very eyes, though not in ways that fans may have anticipated. There's still no real sign of a rebooted Batman on the horizon (and, before anyone asks, even Robert Pattinson is doubtful that his version will crossover), but his rogues gallery is a very different story. "Clayface" is already set to introduce the mainline version of Bruce Wayne's face-melting foe, and now it appears that this new series focused on Poison Ivy will do the same for DC's most famous redhead villain/antihero.

Although we still have to wait and see if the new Skydance regime under David Ellison actually gives this production the official green light and picks it up as a show, fans can't be blamed for wondering what shape this could end up taking. The ongoing "Absolute Batman" comic book series offers one particularly out-there approach for Poison Ivy, but such a horror-based tone isn't very likely to coexist with the more mainstream goals of Gunn's DC Universe (even with "Clayface" pushing things in an R-rated direction). Instead, perhaps we ought to look at a very different comic: G. Willow Wilson's "Poison Ivy" series. Here, the character formally known as Pamela Isley has taken on a leading role as she leans into a more politically-minded goal as Mayor of Gotham City. Yes, if that reminds you of a certain storyline from "Daredevil: Born Again," you're not alone.

We'll have to wait and see how this show ultimately takes root (see what I did there?), but the possibilities are endless for our first introduction to a new live-action Poison Ivy.