‘Supernatural’ season 9: What’s the current state of the spin-off?
Ready to talk spin-off? Well, that is something that The CW certainly seems to be interested in these days. Many months after launching “The Originals” to a great deal of success, they are looking at doing the same sort of thing with both “Arrow” and “Supernatural,” as you may have heard already.
While at the network’s TCA panel this week, president / puppetmaster of vampires and characters with abs Mark Pedowitz proclaimed that they were “bullish” about the prospects for “The Flash,” the “Arrow” spin-off that would feature Grant Gustin’s character of Barry Allen. The fact that Gustin has already appeared in two episodes of the flagship show without there being any problems or negative reviews, and the actual pilot is going to be filmed this spring with David Nutter (who did the “Arrow” pilot) returning to direct.
Also, Pedowitz is getting set now to read the script for the proposed “Supernatural” spin-off show, which is going to feature some new characters in a different and much more urban setting than the original show. There will be a backdoor pilot for it later this spring, and at that point, it will be up to the network as to whether or not they move forward. This is the pilot that has the gargantuan challenge of actually trying to capture the same sort of appeal of the original show, which found so much of its success thanks mostly to the performances of Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles.
So why the spin-0ffs? The simplest reason is that The CW loves properties, and most of their standalone shows these days (“Hart of Dixie,” “Reign”) have only drawn average ratings. Sometimes, you want to understandably swing for the fences a little bit and try to capture lightning in a bottle twice!
Which one of these two spin-offs are you the most excited to see? Be sure to share your thoughts below.
Lore Krajsman
January 20, 2014 @ 6:28 am
I love both Arrow and Supernatural, with a preference for spn, but… I’m looking forward more to the Arrow spin off. Mostly because the idea of it seems more interesting.
The main reason of why I watch spn is the Winchesters, I’m not sure if I’d be interested in a show set in the verse that doesn’t have them. I mean, I love Cas, but I wouldn’t watch a show with him as the star either. And since they already killed Kevin… (one of the main other char who could have carried a show imo) and it’s unlikely that Felicia has the time to take on a full time show starring Charlie (the third char who could keep my interest)…
It would take a lot to create new spn characters whom I’d be as interested in as those three, so I’m not sure if this is going to work out
J L
January 20, 2014 @ 3:17 am
I agree that for the spinoff of Supernatural to be successful they will need to tie it in with some existing SPN characters, at least once in a while. I am curious but don’t expect to love it in the way that I love Supernatural. :P
Kelios
January 20, 2014 @ 3:02 am
I’m leery of the Supernatural spinoff for the reason you mention–the success of the original show was based largely on Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. Without them, and with a premise that seems almost completely different from the original show I’m not sure what appeal the CW thinks the spinoff will hold for most Supernatural fans.
It’s possible they might be able to anchor it with other characters from the original–Garth, Castiel and Charlie are all good candidates in my opinion–but there will have to be a strong connection if the new show is to be successful.