The upcoming third 'Batman' movie isn’t the only big-budget production featuring DC Comics' characters in the works. Apparently, Warner Bros. and DC are in the early stages of developing an elaborate arena show production aimed at kids and families.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show would feature a number of recognizable Batman villains and characters, and is being written by a veteran comic book scribe. Nick Grace Management and Water Lane Prods., the companies behind the lucrative 'Walking With Dinosaurs' and 'Mamma Mia!' touring shows, are working with Warners and DC on the production, tentatively titled 'Batman Live!'

Alan Burnett, an animation veteran who has worked on such features as Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Green Lantern: First Flight, is writing the story and script. While there is no official timeline for 'Batman Live!', there is said to be two scenarios for the show: under the first, the production would premiere after Christopher Nolan’s third 'Batman' movie in 2012; the other scenario would have it mounted sometime in 2011.

Hopefully, 'Batman Live!' won’t be as problematic a superhero stage production as Julie Taymor’s 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark'. The real question, however, is whether the essence of DC Comics’ character can be translated into a live show that can appeal to kids and families without becoming completely ridiculous in the process.

Below is what we probably don’t want to see...