8 Major DC Characters Who Almost Appeared In Gotham
Eight major DC characters nearly appeared in Gotham, but circumstances kept them from making their debut. As a prequel to the Batman mythos, Gotham was well-known for its creative reimagining of iconic villains and allies, offering an opportunity to witness the evolution of characters like Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman. Over five seasons, the show balanced its own unique twists with homage to the source material, delivering a dark yet compelling narrative about the descent of Gotham City into chaos.
However, the final season of Gotham was truncated, reduced from its intended length to just 12 episodes. This shorter run, coupled with various creative decisions, meant that several characters and Gotham storylines were ultimately scrapped. While the show"s conclusion and its full embrace of the Batman legend was certainly thrilling, it’s hard not to ponder the characters who almost made it to the screen, many of whom are known for their appearances throughout the DCU timeline.
8 Calendar Man Was Teased Repeatedly Gotham Repeatedly Hinted At Calendar Man’s Inclusion Close Showrunner John Stephens openly expressed his desire to introduce Calendar Man to Gotham. The character, known for his obsession with dates and his elaborate crimes tied to the calendar, would have fit perfectly into the show’s world of eccentric villains. Stephens revealed that Calendar Man nearly made his debut in season 3, but the plans fell through.
Interestingly, the character’s potential introduction was first teased as early as season 2. Creator Bruno Heller had announced Calendar Man’s inclusion during promotional interviews, and the official Gotham Twitter account even hinted at his arrival with the cryptic post: “Call the Calendar Man, we’ve got a date for #Gotham Season 2!” This deliberate foreshadowing was exciting, as Calendar Man’s meticulous and thematic approach to crime would have been perfect for the series.
Executive producer Danny Cannon once stated that Calendar Man was on their radar and that the team would eventually get to him. Sadly, this promise remained unfulfilled. The character’s unique style and chilling precision would have provided a fascinating dynamic in Gotham City’s increasingly chaotic environment, but he never emerged.
7 Harley Quinn Was At One Point Confirmed Harley Quinn Was Nearly Introduced On Several Occasions Close Few characters have captured the public imagination like Harley Quinn, and it’s no surprise that Gotham flirted with the idea of bringing her into the fold. During season 3’s finale, “Heroes Rise: Heavydirtysoul,” Harley Quinn was strongly considered for an appearance. Showrunner John Stephens hinted that the character would be someone connected to the Joker cult world already established within the show.
However, the final season of Gotham was truncated, reduced from its intended length to just 12 episodes. This shorter run, coupled with various creative decisions, meant that several characters and Gotham storylines were ultimately scrapped. While the show"s conclusion and its full embrace of the Batman legend was certainly thrilling, it’s hard not to ponder the characters who almost made it to the screen, many of whom are known for their appearances throughout the DCU timeline.
8 Calendar Man Was Teased Repeatedly Gotham Repeatedly Hinted At Calendar Man’s Inclusion Close Showrunner John Stephens openly expressed his desire to introduce Calendar Man to Gotham. The character, known for his obsession with dates and his elaborate crimes tied to the calendar, would have fit perfectly into the show’s world of eccentric villains. Stephens revealed that Calendar Man nearly made his debut in season 3, but the plans fell through.
Interestingly, the character’s potential introduction was first teased as early as season 2. Creator Bruno Heller had announced Calendar Man’s inclusion during promotional interviews, and the official Gotham Twitter account even hinted at his arrival with the cryptic post: “Call the Calendar Man, we’ve got a date for #Gotham Season 2!” This deliberate foreshadowing was exciting, as Calendar Man’s meticulous and thematic approach to crime would have been perfect for the series.
Executive producer Danny Cannon once stated that Calendar Man was on their radar and that the team would eventually get to him. Sadly, this promise remained unfulfilled. The character’s unique style and chilling precision would have provided a fascinating dynamic in Gotham City’s increasingly chaotic environment, but he never emerged.
7 Harley Quinn Was At One Point Confirmed Harley Quinn Was Nearly Introduced On Several Occasions Close Few characters have captured the public imagination like Harley Quinn, and it’s no surprise that Gotham flirted with the idea of bringing her into the fold. During season 3’s finale, “Heroes Rise: Heavydirtysoul,” Harley Quinn was strongly considered for an appearance. Showrunner John Stephens hinted that the character would be someone connected to the Joker cult world already established within the show.
