Kite Man Spinoff Of Harley Quinn Show In Development
Patrick Schumacker reveals a Kite Man-centered spinoff of HBO Max's Harley Quinn show is in development and reveals details for the potential project. Originally created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, Kite Man, also known as Chuck Brown, served as a supervillain in the comics and an adversary to Batman who utilizes kite-based weapons to commit crimes. Unlike most of the Dark Knight's adversaries, Kite Man is generally considered a joke character in the comics due to his odd concept and personality.
Kite Man would make his screen debut in Batman: The Brave and the Bold voiced by Jeffrey Combs, which saw his origins stem from being electrocuted as a kid while trying to recreate the Benjamin Franklin lightning experiment and took to a life of kite-based crime as an adult. The character would later get another chance at the screen in Harley Quinn portrayed by Matt Olberg in which his nature as a joke character is further deepened with his lackluster catchphrase and numerous attempts to pick up women, including Lake Bell's Poison Ivy. With Kite Man suffering a major heartbreak in the Harley Quinn season 2 finale, the creatives behind the animated series appear to have new plans for the character.
As part of South by Southwest's "Not Kidding Around: Warner Bros. Animation and the Reimagining of Iconic Characters for an Adult Audience" panel (via SlashFilm), co-developer/co-showrunner Patrick Schumacker revealed a Kite Man spinoff of Harley Quinn is in development. Tentatively titled Noonan's, the series would follow Kite Man as he purchases the titular bar well-known as a hangout spot for hitman and henchmen in Gotham and attempts to run the bar. See what Schumacker shared below:
"He tries to run the bar by himself but it doesn't turn out so easy. We have Harley and Ivy appear in the first episode, but after that we have different goons and villains appearing every episode like Lex Luthor and Bane. It will be kind of like 'Cheers' for supervillains."
Despite his status as a joke character in the world of Harley Quinn, Schumacker's reveal of a Kite Man spinoff sounds like a perfect outlet for the character. With the comparison in tones to that of Cheers, Kite Man would properly get the opportunity to tap into his dopey personality and bring his confidence to running Noonan's Bar, though it would be interesting to learn how he could acquire the bar. Though not entirely unsuccessful in his criminal activity in Harley Quinn, his dumpy apartment and asking his parents for money did point towards his not having much of a fortune in the bank.
Given Harley Quinn season 2 saw Gotham still reeling from the Joker-led destruction of season 1, it's possible Kite Man may be able to get Noonan's Bar for a steal. Additionally, with the season 2 finale seeing Kite Man realizing that Poison Ivy doesn't share the same romantic feelings for him anymore and is in love with Harley, resulting in the cancellation of their wedding, it would make sense for Noonan's to serve as a new outlet for Kite Man to put his attention into rather than risk crossing the duo's paths in actual criminal activity. With Harley Quinn season 3 seemingly set to premiere later this year, only time will tell what the future holds for Kite Man.
Source: SlashFilm