The legacy of Batman has certainly held up well against the passage of time, spawning various animated iterations over the years, and inviting different actors to don the superhero costume in the live-action movies. As it turns out, the protector of Gotham City is set for yet another journey within the world of DC animation, with JJ Abrams and Matt Reeves on the directing front.
Titled Batman: Caped Crusader, the series is hailed as a “reimagining of the Batman mythology”, and will be heading to HBO Max and Cartoon Network. Bruce Timm, co-creator of Batman: The Animated Series, has also been attached as an executive producer.
“We are beyond excited to be working together to bring this character back, to tell engrossing new stories in Gotham City,” said Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Reeves (The Batman) in a statement. “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.”
Where this project marks the reunion of Abrams and Reeves after their collaborative stint on Felicity and 10 Cloverfield Lane, it takes on a different significance for Timm, who is looking to revisit the character’s noir roots.
“Batman: The Animated Series was a masterpiece that shaped the perception of the character for an entire generation of fans,” said Warner Bros. Animation president Sam Register. “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.”
Cast details, alongside a release date, have yet to be announced. A brief description of the show, however, is available, and reads as follows:
“Utilizing state-of-the-art animation techniques and technologies available, this powerful creative partnership will once again reinvent Batman and his iconic rogue’s gallery with sophisticated storytelling, nuanced characters and intense action sequences all set in a visually striking world.”
Additionally, HBO Max and Cartoon Network are working on a new Superman animated series as well. Featuring Jack Quaid as the voice of the Man of Steel, My Adventures of Superman follows the story of 20-something versions of Superman, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen, who are on a quest to “discover who they are and everything they can accomplish together as an investigative reporting team at the Daily Planet.”
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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