The second trailer for Titans season 3 reveals some crucial plot points for the DC drama. Titans moving from DC Universe to HBO Max is not the only major change that is coming up for the show this year. After the conclusion of Titans season 2, the third year of the series will take the group into a new, darker, and more personal direction. While Dick Grayson finally completed his journey in becoming Nightwing, the story is far from over for the former Robin and his band of young superheroes. In Titans season 3, the team has left San Francisco and relocated to Gotham City.
Even though Gotham is a new home for most of the members, it will be a challenge for Dick as he is returning to the city that he has tried to leave behind him for years. After having faced Trigon, Deathstroke, and Project Cadmus, respectively, the main villains for Titans season 3 will be a mixture. Dick won't be the only former Robin to get a new mantle as Jason Todd will finally emerge as Red Hood. Titans season 2 spent a lot of time focusing on the Tamaran conflict between Kory Anders/Koriand'r and Blackfire. However, Titans season 3 will pit the sisters against each other once again as Blackfire is the other main antagonist.
Originally, Titans season 3 was going to premiere in fall 2020 before pandemic delayed production, but it looks like the wait will have been worth it. With the show's move to HBO Max, the streaming service has been rolling out the viral marketing for Titans, giving viewers more glimpses of what is coming this season. Following the release of the teaser trailer, HBO Max dropped a second trailer for Titans season 3, revealing a number of details.
Starfire Vs Blackfire
As Blackfire came to Earth last season, Titans season 3 will tackle the Tamaran conflict more in-depth. Throughout the trailer, Starfire was alluding to how she is losing her mind, perhaps because of Blackfire. It also seems that things are going to get more intense between the sisters, with Starfire stating that where she comes from, they show no mercy even when they go after family.
Titans Season 3 Introduces Commissioner Barbara Gordon
One of the big new characters joining the Titans universe in season 3 is Barbara Gordon, played by Savannah Welch. While she is no longer Batgirl, Barbara is playing a different role as she will be the new GCPD commissioner, having taken over for her father, Jim Gordon. The trailer shows Dick and Barbara reunited, but with some tension. Even though they will be rekindling their old romance, it looks like Barbara and Dick will have some things to work through.
The Joker Murders Jason Todd
After alluding to it in the first teaser, the latest trailer for Titans season 3 confirms that Joker will murder Jason, meaning it's officially adapting the story of Batman: A Death in the Family. It is still unclear which actor is playing Joker, as he's only shown from the back. However, based on what happens later, it doesn't seem as though audiences will see that much of the Clown Prince of Crime, at least for now.
Bruce Wayne Retires As Batman
While it was already revealed that Iain Glen would be back in Titans season 3 as Bruce Wayne, the trailer did drop a huge bomb that changes his character forever. After Jason's death, Bruce comes to Dick and says that he is done being the Dark Knight. What is interesting about that particular moment is that he drops a bloodied crowbar on the ground, implying that maybe Bruce went and murdered Joker.
Wonder Girl Is Alive
Despite dying in Titans season 2, Donna Troy, a.k.a. Wonder Girl, will not be gone for long. The trailer reveals Wonder Girl is alive, although it is very unclear what is going on with her. Donna is only spotted once in the trailer, looking very stressed as she is in an unknown location. It would not be shocking if Wonder Girl is a bit lost after being brought back from the dead. Another potential is that Donna gets taken by an unexpected player before uniting with her super-friends.
Raven Gets A New Costume
While Wonder Girl's storyline is ambiguous in the Titans season 3 trailer, it appears as though Raven succeeded in bringing her back. However, Rachel is getting a new look after having been to Themyscira with the trailer showing her briefly donning a white, armor-like costume. Her outfit looks like it's based on the design of the Amazons' uniforms in the New Teen Titans comics, with the show's official Twitter account confirming the nod. That said, it's probably only one of Rachel's costumes in the new season.
Jason Todd Inspires A Red Hood Gang
With Jason Todd rising as Red Hood, it appears the antihero will inspire a movement of some kind. While the Titans season 3 trailer focuses on them trying to track down Red Hood as a new player, a number of citizens are seen wearing actual red hoods, possibly because they are following Jason. With Batman out of the picture, it makes sense that some Gotham citizens would now follow Red Hood. Whether or not they are working directly with Red Hood or simply fans operating on their own remains to be seen.
Scarecrow Consulting With The GCPD
Since the Titans are moving to Gotham City, Joker is not the only Batman villain the show is including. Another big player in Titans season 3 is Dr. Jonathan Crane, a.k.a. Scarecrow, played by Vincent Kartheiser. While the teaser trailer gave viewers a glimpse of Crane, the latest footage explores him a bit more as he will be helping the GCPD. The show is definitely leaning into a Hannibal Lecter angle with this version of Scarecrow and is adding to the mystery by only showing him from the back with voiceovers.
Enter Tim Drake In Titans Season 3
While Jason won't be Robin anymore, Titans season 3 is making sure to fill that position sooner rather than later. Even though he wasn't in the first teaser, Jay Lycurgo's Tim Drake gets his due in the new trailer. Despite only being in it for a few seconds, the footage shows Tim's reaction to learning about Robin's death, which may be what kicks off his heroic path.
Red Hood Vs. Nightwing
Even though the Titans will be going after Red Hood, there is still a separate arc just between Jason and Dick to consider. Despite Bruce wanting Dick to be "a better Batman," Jason is giving himself that role. The Titans season 3 trailer shows Red Hood and Nightwing going at it, which brings them full circle. Since Titans season 1, the two Robins have mostly been on opposing sides, culminating in the third season throwdown. With this setup, it's not entirely certain that they will work things out by the end of Titans season 3.
Needless to say, there is a lot to look forward to in Titans season 3, especially now that it will be airing on HBO Max. Compared to when Titans was on DC Universe, it is very noticeable that the show's budget has been increased based on the two trailers alone. One question that has not been answered yet is whether or not the length of the HBO Max episodes will increase. Unlike Doom Patrol, Titans episodes have mostly been within the 40-42 minutes frame. Hopefully, that has changed for Titans on HBO Max, given how many stories and characters they have lined up in season 3.
Titans season 3 will drop the first three episodes on Thursday, August 12, followed by subsequent releases every Thursday on HBO Max.