J.J. Abrams Teases ‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ Animated Series

By Alex Zalben @azalben
Published Oct. 16, 2021, 5:00 p.m. ET

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We’re still a long ways away from HBO Max and Cartoon Network’s animated series Batman: Caped Crusader. But thanks to a behind the scenes video piece rolled out as part of today’s DC FanDome event, we now have a much better idea of what to expect from the show.

Executive produced by the dream team of Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves along with Co-Executive Producer James Tucker, the four minute video takes fans inside the process of creating the show, which, while not a strict reboot of the classic Batman: The Animated Series, or directly inspired by Reeves upcoming The Batman, shares its DNA in both things.

“Warner Bros. Animation asked if we would be interested in working with Bruce on a new, animated Batman series,” Abrams recalls. “And Matt was working on The Batman film, so it just felt like an opportunity to collaborate not just with Bruce, but with one of my best friends on a project that I knew would be incredibly meaningful to all of us.”

As for what Batman: Caped Crusader will be like? Timm teases that his elevator pitch was, “More Batman: The Animated Series than Batman: The Animated Series.” Elaborating, Timm notes that back in the ’90s there were “limitations on what we could do, in terms of adult content, in terms of violence and adult themes.”

This time, Timm feels… He’ll get to do what he always wanted to do. Reeves also adds that in this iteration, it’s Batman, alone. No Superman, no Justice League, no other heroes… Just a billionaire dressed as a giant bat, focused on vengeance. It’s also an origin story, in a way, as Tucker notes that when he starts, Batman won’t have all his wonderful toys. He also won’t have his allies, as he has not yet earned their “trust.”

The EPs continue, noting that while it will have a distinct film noir feel, it will also be more inclusive and modern in its casting. So: old, but new. Not a reboot, but also a reboot. Hope that clears things up!

There’s no premiere date for Batman: Caped Crusader yet, but it’s coming “soon” to HBO Max and Cartoon Network. You can watch the full video, above.