Months after it was announced that HBO Max passed on Batman: Caped Crusader, the animated series has been picked up by Amazon for a 2-season order.
After the cancellations of projects planned for HBO Max in order to cut costs, the fate of the animated series that would bring back Bruce Timm and reunite J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves was in doubt. Longtime fans of the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) were looking forward to this new series, which would explore the early years of the Dark Knight.
In a news article by The Hollywood Reporter, it is confirmed that Amazon has secured a deal for two seasons to air on their streaming service:
#Batman: Caped Crusader has found a new home at Amazon. The streamer has handed out a two-season order for the animated series from J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves and Bruce Timm that was previously scrapped at HBO Max: https://t.co/kyssOd6tlI pic.twitter.com/9GPXt0xanE
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 9, 2023
The series was first announced through a press release on May 19, 2021 by Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, and Matt Reeves in a joint statement:
We are beyond excited to be working together to bring this character back, to tell engrossing new stories in Gotham City. 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.
At the time it was announced, plans were for the show to be released on HBO Max and the Cartoon Network, under the development of Warner Bros. Animation. Tom Ascheim, President of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults, and Classics (GKYAC) was enthusiastic about the project:
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.
The press release for Batman: Caped Crusader hyped up the advanced technology and creative talent of both Abrams and Reeves being attached to the new series:
Now, nearly 30 years since the series premiered, Timm once again takes on the mantle of the Bat alongside two of the most acclaimed filmmakers in the industry: J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves. 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.
However, due to cost-cutting measures that began under Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Batman: Caped Crusader was one of the unfortunate casualties. But unlike other projects such as the live action Batgirl HBO Max exclusive film starring Leslie Grace, Batman: Caped Crusader was not pushed as part of the tax write-off.
This opened the possibility of shopping it to a different network or streaming service, which is what led to the deal to develop DC Comics animated projects for Amazon Prime Video.
As of the time of this writing, DC Studios/Warner Bros. Discovery and Amazon have not issued an official statement. However, it may only be a matter of formality as the involved parties finalize the contracts and details for the production and airing of Batman: Caped Crusader.
It should be noted that Batman: Caped Crusader began development with legendary voice actor Kevin Conroy to reprise the role. With the fan favorite Conroy’s untimely passing, it is likely the upcoming series will cast a new actor to play the role of Bruce Wayne and Batman.
On that note, Mark Hamill has stated that he will not be returning to the Joker role in honor of his late friend and colleague. The two actors helped propel the success of Batman: The Animated series, as their voices have become the definitive versions of their respective characters to many fans. This close association continued with the expansion of the DCAU to later shows and in video games such as the Arkham Asylum series from Rockstar Games.
Aside from Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, and Matt Reeves, Batman: Caped Crusader includes Ed Brubaker, Sam Register, Jase Ricci, and James Tucker as executive producers.
