Prime Video is ready to change into the brand new streaming residence for brand spanking new animated Batman initiatives, together with the a lot anticipated Batman: Caped Crusader animated collection.
In March, we reported that Batman: Caped Crusader would glide its approach onto Amazon’s streaming platform following its cancellation on HBO Max. Nearly six weeks later, Amazon has lastly confirmed that the sequel to the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Collection will launch solely on Prime Video, with the streamer greenlighting two seasons of the Bruce Timm, JJ Abrams, and Matt Reeves-developed animated TV present.
Caped Crusader is not the one Batman venture within the works for Prime Video, although. In an Amazon Studios press release (opens in new tab), the corporate additionally confirmed two different animated choices had been being created particularly for one of many world’s greatest streaming companies – each of which might star Damian Wayne, Batman’s sociopathic son.
The primary of those productions is Merry Little Batman, an action-comedy movie that’ll see a younger Damian assume the function of ‘Little Batman’ as he defends Wayne Manor (and Gotham Metropolis) from the Darkish Knight’s numerous villains in the course of the vacation season. A spin-off collection, titled Bat-Household, will comply with, and deal with Bruce Wayne/Batman, Damian, and butler Alfred as they navigate the trials and tribulations of being a wealthy, superhero-centric household.
Because the under photos exhibits, the animation type in these exhibits symbolize a marked departure from the visuals we have seen in earlier animated Batman initiatives.
Commenting on the announcement, Amazon and MGM Studios’ Head of Tv vernon Sanders stated: “Batman: The Animated Collection helped pioneer within the evolution of superhero storytelling and outlined the Darkish Knight for a technology. Batman: Caped Crusader will little question proceed that custom and, alongside Merry Little Batman and Bat-Household, we’re thrilled to collaborate with Warner Bros. Animation to supply a wide range of takes on the Batman mythos to our international Prime Video prospects.”
No launch date has been set for this trio of Batman productions. Their additions to Prime Video within the coming years, although, will solely strengthen the streamer’s again catalog of top-tier animated content material, together with Invincible, The Legend of Vox Machina, and Undone.
A Prime (Video) residence for Batman’s international viewers
It may appear odd that Prime Video is the brand new residence for all issues Batman (from an animation perspective, anyway). The legendary superhero/vigilante is one in every of DC Comics’ hottest characters and, by proxy, the rights to the Darkish Knight are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
Contemplating that WBD has its personal streaming platforms – HBO Max, the house of its live-action and animated DC content material, and Discovery Plus – it is unusual that one in every of these companies, or WBD’s forthcoming super-streamer Max, will not be the house to new animated Batman initiatives.
Nicely, new animated fare like Batman: Caped Crusader was initially set to air on HBO Max. Nevertheless, cost-cutting measures at WBD, which started within the wake of Warner Bros’ merger with Discovery in March 2022, meant that quite a few HBO Max animated initiatives had been cancelled.
Fortunately, Amazon Studios has stepped in to avoid wasting of them. And, in my thoughts, it is a good factor that it did. Not solely will we get to see a Bruce Timm-developed sequel to Batman: The Animated Collection – among the best animated exhibits of all-time, I feel you may agree – however extra individuals will be capable of watch it, too. That is on account of Prime Video being accessible globally, whereas HBO Max’s availability has been restricted to world areas like North and Latin America, and a few components of Europe. So long as Batman: Caped Crusader is half pretty much as good as its predecessor, you guess it will be on our greatest Prime Video exhibits very quickly.
Batman followers can anticipate loads extra Darkish Knight-centric content material over the subsequent few years. First up is the return of Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Flash, one of many final DC Prolonged Universe (DCEU) films earlier than WBD’s fundamental superhero universe is reborn because the DC Cinematic Universe (DCU). Make sure you learn our trailer breakdown article on The Flash‘s newest teaser, too, for the entire coolest Easter eggs it will comprise.
The DCU will even see Damian Wayne make his live-action debut in a brand new Batman movie, titled The Courageous and The Daring, someday within the subsequent few years, too. Make sure you examine why it is one in every of our most anticipated DCU Chapter One initiatives when you’re right here. Lastly, WBD is fleshing out its Elseworlds universe centered on Matt Reeves’ The Batman, with The Batman Half II, an HBO Max spin-off starring Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin, and a horror-esque Arkham Asylum collection within the works.
For extra Batman protection, learn how to observe the Batman films so as. Alternatively, learn our Batman films ranked piece, or see which Darkish Knight movies made it into our greatest superhero films information.