Batman Series Has A Surprising New Home Following HBO Cancellation
Batman: The Caped Crusader was canceled by Warner Bros. Discovery, and it's now going to air, for two seasons, on Amazon Prime.
Last year, HBO Max went axe-happy on numerous shows as a result of Warner Bros.’s merger with Discovery. In addition to canceling a slew of established series like Westworld and Minx, the streamer scrapped several shows that hadn’t even premiered yet, including the JJ Abrams and Matt Reeves-produced Batman: Caped Crusader. Fortunately, Variety recently confirmed that the animated series has found a new home on Amazon.
First announced in May 2021, Batman: Caped Crusader was ordered to series at HBO Max in May 2021. Created by Bruce Timm, alongside executive producers Abrams and Reeves, the animated show was canceled last August in an effort by Warner Bros. Discovery to cut costs. Five other upcoming animated projects were also given the axe, including Did I Do That to the Holidays: A Steve Urkel Story, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, Merry Little Batman, Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical, and The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie.
Fortunately, Amazon, reportedly in talks to have Michael B. Jordan bring the Creed universe to the small screen with their Prime streaming service, saw potential in Batman: Caped Crusader, as did several other streamers. While Netflix, Hulu, and Apple showed interest in possibly picking up the series after it was scrapped at HBO Max, Amazon ultimately snagged the rights to the cartoon. The streamer has reportedly ordered two seasons of the animated show, which is described as “a reimagining of the Batman mythology.”
The upcoming series looks to build on Batman: The Animated Series, created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski. The hit cartoon aired on Fox Kids for 85 episodes in the early 90s. Based on the beloved DC character created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, Batman: Caped Crusader comes from Warner Bros. Animation, Abrams Bad Robot banner, and Reeves’ 6th & Idaho production company.
At this time, there’s no word on when Batman: Caped Crusader will premiere on Amazon Prime. Additionally, who will voice the iconic DC superhero in the upcoming animated series is unclear. Renowned voice actor Kevin Conroy was originally attached to voice the character, but he tragically passed away last November after a battle with cancer.
While we wait for Batman: Caped Crusader to arrive on Amazon Prime, both Matt Reeves and JJ Abrams have several projects in development for us to look forward to. Reeves is hard at work on The Batman Part 2, and the Collin Farrell-led spin-off series The Penguin for HBO Max. Meanwhile, Abrams is wrapping up his upcoming sci-fi drama Aporia, and beginning production on seemingly countless other projects.
In 2019, Warner Bros. signed Abrams to an overall deal reportedly worth $250 million, however, that deal hasn’t resulted in the release of any new films or shows. At one point, the Star Trek: Into Darkness director was attached as a producer on several DC titles, including Constantine 2, an Untitled Superman Project, Zatanna, and Justice League Dark. Since James Gunn and Peter Safran were appointing co-heads of the newly formed DC Studios, it’s unclear if any of Abrams’ projects are still moving forward at Warner Bros. Discovery.
