DC and Batman fans will truly be feasting in the coming years, as recently another major project was announced for the Dark Knight. This time on HBO Max, it looks like the earlier reports of a revival of sorts of Batman: The Animated Series were true, as now WB is ordering another animated TV series titled Batman: Caped Crusader.
It's got a surprisingly high-profile trio of producers with BTAS co-creator Bruce Timm, filmmaker J.J. Abrams, and filmmaker--and director/co-writer on next year's The Batman--Matt Reeves. A brief joint statement from them giving a rundown of the show's approach, as well as a beautiful promo poster paying clear homage to the critically-acclaimed and Golden Age were released.
Paul Dini
While WB recruiting Bruce Timm to be a producer on Caped Crusader after him having worked on BTAS could be a great move, another surprising omission (from what fans currently know) is fellow co-creator Paul Dini. He was also a pivotal factor in how the original show and The New Batman Adventures and Batman Beyond following it were so beloved.
Since it seems Timm, Abrams, and Reeves seem to round out the main producers, it would still be more than welcomed to hear that Dini is being brought on in another capacity. Namely, as one of Caped Crusader's main writers is something longtime Batman fans would certainly celebrate and inspire further confidence.
Kevin Conroy
As Batman: The Animated Series proved another incredible milestone in cementing the superhero's status as one of the most loved and successful in the genre's history, so did Kevin Conroy as the voice of Bruce Wayne/Batman in the show. He is one of the most iconic Batman voices, with his talents only having gotten better over the years.
It would be poetic if Conroy were to be brought back in what could potentially be another defining turn for the character's mythos, this time including even newer generations of fans--in addition to veterans. He brilliantly adjusts his acting approach for both egos, knowing how to deliver each line to resonant effects. For most, he is Batman.
Robert Pattinson
A more bold pick that could be exciting is somehow getting Robert Pattinson to lend his talents to Batman while ushering in his version in theaters next year with The Batman. It's unlikely Pattinson could be a permanent fixture, but the show could still find a creative way to include him.
BTAS had an episode where a group of kids told their alleged accounts of Batman stories, using each story to highlight different eras of the character, and Caped Crusader could do something similar. There could be a flashback episode where the art style matches what Pattinson's Dark Knight, with him playing the lead role.
Mark Hamill
When talking about iconic Batman actors, the legendary Mark Hamill is the one to come to mind immediately after Kevin Conroy. Like Conroy is well regarded as Batman's voice, Hamill is well-known for playing not only the Joker but also Luke Skywalker.
His vocal range and injection of personality into the Batman's most notorious foe is second to none, following Conroy along several acclaimed Bat-projects in different mediums, like the acclaimed Arkham video game series. Having him return as the Clown Prince of Crime would complete a Conroy return and incite fan elation.
Cutting Timm's Uncomfortable Character Relationships
Bruce Timm obviously deserves credit for his hand with Dini's in crafting BTAS, which will stand the test of time as one of the best superhero productions ever, but he's also amassed a degree of infamy for one particular aspect. A specific character relationship that's squirmed its way into something as acclaimed as DCAU Batman is that Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon/Batgirl were romantically involved; something widely regarded as grossly out of character for both.
This was actually given even more focus in the maligned animated adaptation of The Killing Joke by making it a major plot point. That's why the announcement revealing Timm's attachment simultaneously incites celebration that an original creator is involved, but concern that he'll somehow make fans wince again.
Avoiding J.J.'s "Mystery Boxes"
J.J. Abrams, who coincidentally also is a reason for fan concern in terms of the potential creative aspect of Caped Crusader. Abrams has become notorious ultimately falling short in closing the story in satisfying fashion. Star Wars is the latest victim of this, though, the sequels in general suffered from lack of narrative cohesion and planning.
It's unclear as of yet whether Caped Crusader will be a serialized anthology format or longer-form storytelling. Nor is it known what Timm, Reeves and Abrams' creative reaches will be. Long-form may become worrisome if J.J. has extensive creative power.
A New Batman Voice
Conroy immortalized himself as the benchmark for Batman, but hearing someone else have a go could still work out great. He's been the definitive voice of the World's Greatest Detective for literal decades and will always be welcomed, but perhaps for a long-running show spanning (possibly) multiple seasons, finding an alternative may be preferable.
There are others who DC have already used like Bruce Greenwood and now Jensen Ackles. Ackles was fantastic as Jason Todd/Red Hood opposite Greenwood, and he is donning the mantle in the upcoming The Long Halloween movies. It wouldn't be too out there to recruit him for this long-term project and plant his flag.
Tonal Balance
BTAS was such a phenomenon in good part thanks to the expert writing striking a consistent tonal balance. Also, it expertly studied the minds of these nuanced and mature characters.
Caped Crusader is surely looking to do that again for a new age, but it's not something that can be easily replicated. It's something that needs tasteful handling if they want this show to be as timeless and as appealing to both the newer and older fans. Hopefully Timm and Reeves will bring those elements out as hoped if they're more creatively involved.
A New Joker Voice
Similarly with Hamill, it wouldn't be the worst thing to find a different voice for Joker in a long-running Batman animated series as the talent pool is large. Going back yet again to DC's use of voice for Joker in Under the Red Hood, John DiMaggio is a suitably entertaining and intimidating choice.
He brought a deeper gruffness to Joker while still maintaining his brand of "dark humor;" that gruffness delivered some of the best and most unique "Joker laughs" ever done in voice acting. Should a younger actor be chosen, industry veteran Troy Baker could fill in perfectly from his Arkham Origins portrayal. Baker is also starring as him opposite Ackles' Batman.
Reeves' Creative Influence
Speaking on the potential controlling capacities these producers may or may not have, someone who could balance out the cons of the other two is Matt Reeves. Reeves has a strong track record, with his two Planet of the Apes reboot movies in the trilogy being overall well received both critically and commercially.
Fans have yet to see his upcoming movie, but if that trailer and his digital panel at FanDome were any indication, they could be in for quite the treat. Should his universe pan out as well as hoped, it could only benefit Caped Crusader if he has a healthy amount of creative influence, even if it's just in selecting the writers.