Variety is reporting that the CW network has ordered a pilot episode of The Graysons, which will chronicle Dick “DJ” Grayson’s early years before he became the sidekick of Gotham City’s caped crusader.  Smallville executive producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson, who have been working on Smallville since season two and took over from the series’ original producers Miles Millar and Al Gough last spring, are producing The Graysons pilot along with McG (Chuck, Terminator Salvation).

Like Smallville, The Graysons will be an hour-long drama focusing on Dick Grayson’s pre-Robin years as he struggles with all the problems that beset teenagers growing up in contemporary society.  Variety reports that Souders and Peterson have come up with an  “original take” on the character, but did not mention if it has anything to do with Bob Kane-created Robin, who was a member of a family of acrobats known as “The Flying Graysons.”

According to Variety the CW is looking at The Graysons as a potential replacement for Smallville, if that saga of the young Clark Kent ends its eight-year TV run after this season, or, if Smallville continues, The Graysons could be “a strong companion piece.”  Sources at the CW told Variety that they were pleased that Warner Brothers would allow them to create a show based on the mega-hot Batman franchise, a decision that CW officials took as a vote of confidence in the fledgling TV network.  Of course those who remember Aquaman know that ordering a pilot does not guarantee a series commitment.