Arrowverse Crossover Between Batwoman and Superman & Lois Officially Cancelled

It's no secret that one of the major selling points of the Arrowverse is the concept of crossovers. The tradition started in 2014 when banner shows The Flash and Arrow came together for an interconnected two-episode mission.

The event was well-received by fans, and its success ultimately prompted The CW to create yearly crossovers to entice fans. The storytelling approach helped the franchise to introduce more heroes into the mix while also familiarizing viewers with the core characters of different projects that are set within the shared universe. 

Every season, the Arrowverse pleased fans by bringing all the characters together for a massive mission to save the world. In 2019, the biggest crossover event of the franchise was launched in the form of Crisis on Infinite Earths. This project was momentous for The CW since it managed to connect to the larger DCEU by featuring a surprise appearance from Ezra Miller's The Flash. 

Given the hype surrounding Crisis, it's not surprising that fans are already anticipating the next big crossover of the franchise. However, a new report has emerged that may disappoint viewers. 

CONFIRMATION

TVLine shared in a report that the previously announced Arrowverse crossover between Batwoman and Superman & Lois will not push through. 

Batwoman showrunner Caroline Dries confirmed the news, stating that the reason behind the cancellation is the ongoing pandemic, pointing out that the superhero productions “can't cross crews” due to the fear of exposure to COVID. Dries also revealed that it's unlikely that Melissa Benoist's Kara Danvers from Supergirl will be dropping by Gotham anytime soon. 

“We’re not really able to cross over because physically, we can’t cross crews due to the fear of exposure to COVID. So if Supergirl weren’t ending this year, I would say there would be more of a possibility. But I’m afraid that at least this year, we’re not going to be able to tap into that dynamic.”

WHAT THIS MEANS 

Many would agree that this is a disappointing development for Arrowverse fans. The crossover events of the franchise are one of the main Arrowverse highlights each year, and it's unfortunate that this tradition will be broken by the pandemic. 

Before the cancellation, it was previously announced that the crossover between Batwoman and Superman & Lois will only be a two-parter instead of the usual four-episode affair. Despite the shorter length of production, the rigorous nature of shooting a crossover event likely affected the decision behind the cancellation, especially after it was reported that filming was “complicated.”

In Arrowverse canon, it makes narrative sense to halt the meet-up between Ryan Wilder and Clark Kent since the former is just starting out as a hero, and she has no prior connections to the rest of the heroes. Still, the crossover would've benefited Javicia Leslie's DC character since the presence of Superman and other protagonists like Grant Gustin's Flash and Melissa Benoist's Supergirl would've given her a boost. 

Meanwhile, the idea of not seeing Kara Danvers in Gotham creates a plot hole since she has close ties to Kate Kane. The disappearance of Kate will be the central focus of Batwoman Season 2, and this key story element would've been more compelling if Kara shows up to help out in the investigation of her lost friend. Hopefully, the show will provide a solid explanation behind Supergirl's absence.