While numerous DC Comics heroes, from Aquaman and Cyborg to Black Canary and Stargirl, appeared on Smallville over the course of its 10 seasons on the WB and The CW. However, there were at least two glaring absences: Batman and Wonder Woman, who were ruled off-limits by Warner Bros.

If all goes well, fans could see Princess Diana in her own CW television series, called Amazon, as early as next fall. But what about Bruce Wayne? Don't hold your breath.

With Christopher Nolan's big-screen trilogy now concluded, The CW President Mark Pedowitz was asked at the Television Critics Association's winter tour whether another live-action Batman series might at last make its way to TV. His answer, according to IGN: "At this time, no. And regarding your next question, regarding is Batman going to make a trip to [Arrow’s] Starling City, they’re not in the same state."

It's probably ironic that Smallville was born after a pitch for Bruce Wayne, a series focusing on the character before he became Batman, failed to generate interest. And then when there is interest in the concept, the character is off-limits. In 2009, The CW also greenlit a pilot for The Graysons, focusing on the pre-Robin adventures of Dick Grayson, as a possible replacement for Smallville. However, that project was abandoned.