We’re Getting A New Batman: The Animated Series
A brand new Batman series is coming soon.
This article is more than 2 years old
The powerhouse directing duo of J.J Abrams and Matt Reeves are back together again. This time, they are joined by a veteran of the DC animation universe Bruce Timm, and the trio are bringing Batman back to the small screen in animated form.
Batman: Caped Crusader, is a straight-to-series order from HBO Max and the Cartoon Network, which is being touted as a “reimagining of the Batman mythology,” much like what Reeves is doing with his Robert Pattinson-led The Batman feature.
“We are beyond excited to be working together to bring this character back, to tell engrossing new stories in Gotham City,” Reeves and Abrams said in a joint statement via The Hollywood Reporter. “The series will be thrilling, cinematic and evocative of Batman’s noir roots, while diving deeper into the psychology of these iconic characters. We cannot wait to share this new world.”
A teaser poster of the new series was released and can be seen below.
For Reeves and Abrams, Batman: Caped Crusader is a reunion for the pair as they previously worked together on the Felicity TV series that starred Keri Russell and Scott Speedman. They also worked together on the creature feature 10 Cloverfield Lane which starred Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, and John Gallagher Jr.
Veteran animator Timm has had his hands in many things DC-related, both inside and outside of Batman. His credits include He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, She-Ra: Princess of Power, G.I. Joe, the underrated but hilarious Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures that also employed the talents of a pre-Ren & Stimpy John Kricfalusi and featured in one classic episode the return of The Mighty Heroes – Strong Man, Rope Man, Tornado Man, Cuckoo Man, and Diaper Man.
Timm, though, is better known for his DC animation. He’s had a hand in Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and Justice League. Timm is very well-versed in everything DC animation.
Bringing together these three talents was to Warner Bros. Animation President Sam Register, a no-brainer. “Batman: The Animated Series was a masterpiece that shaped the perception of the character for an entire generation of fans,” he said via The Hollywood Reporter. “It is in that spirit that we are bringing together three master storytellers in J.J., Matt and Bruce – each with their own intuitive understanding and affection for the character – to create a new series that will continue in the same groundbreaking legacy.”
Warner Bros. promises the use of state-of-the-art animation techniques in bringing Batman back to audiences old and new. They also plan on returning Batman to his earlier detective days as he deals with his iconic rogue’s gallery of villains. Fear not, there will be plenty of Batman action while the storytelling looks to be more sophisticated.
Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults, and Classics, was the first to unveil the new Batman project and said via Deadline, “It is always fun to feed the insatiable appetite fans have for all things Batman. Batman: Caped Crusader will entertain first-time and die-hard fans alike and, with such an impressive creative team in place, we know we have another future Batman classic in the making.”
At the moment there is no premiere date for Batman: Caped Crusader. There is also no word on who will voice the caped crusader with many calling for the one and only Kevin Conroy to return as Batman. Quite a few have chimed in with replies on the tweet that announced the new animated series.
Some of the replies were strongly calling for not only Kevin Conroy…
…but also Mark Hamill to lend his vocal talents again as the Joker.
On another DC note, HBO Max isn’t stopping at one of its most popular DC properties with Batman. No, HBO Max, along with the Cartoon Network, is planning to bring another, just as popular, DC superhero back with a new animated series titled My Adventures with Superman. This new animated series will feature Jack Quaid (The Boys) lending his chops as Clark Kent/Superman and will follow the 20-somethings Superman, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen as they figure out life at The Daily Planet while also fighting crime.
Maybe this is where Warner Bros. and company should continue to focus their efforts as it pertains to their DC superheroes. They seem to have had great success in the past with their animated series and with the announcement of new animated Batman and Superman shows, fans couldn’t be happier.
As more details emerge from both projects, GFR will be here to pass them along.
