Over the past few years, Warner Home Video has played it safe when it comes to choosing which characters are granted headlining privileges in their animated movies. In other words, it’s pretty much been pared down to the proven money makers: Batman and Justice League. And, while we recently got confirmation that 2017’s direct-to-video animation slate shall be a bit more ambitious, it has nothing on what may follow.
Earlier this week, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders was given a two-day limited theatrical engagement, allowing fans to view the film ahead of its November 1 Blu-Ray release. What’s especially interesting is what happened at select multiplexes.
You see, an anonymous source close to We Got This Covered was handed a survey and one of the questions included was in regards to certain animated films moviegoers may be interested in seeing. Hey, if you can get Adam West and Burt Ward to return as Batman and Robin, why stop there, right?
The first possible film we’ll disclose to you is the one that may cause most excitement in the geek community:Â Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Last fall, DC and IDW teamed up for an unprecedented crossover involving The Dark Knight and Heroes in a Half-Shall that was nothing short of perfection.
[wgtc_youtube video_id=”Pr7oDbtcW7o”]A follow-up in the comic book medium is coming in November titled Batman/TMNT Adventures, the difference being the first miniseries saw the comic book versions of the characters meeting, whereas the second merges Batman: The Animated Series with the currently running TMNT cartoon. While a lot of negotiation would have to take place between WB and Nickelodeon, it seems like the latter is more likely to receive an adaptation. Anyway you slice it, this would be a dream come true for many.
Next up is the logical followup to Batman ’66 in Wonder Woman ’77. If West and Ward were willing to reprise their fifty year old roles, why not try to get Lynda Carter to once again play Diana Prince even if only a voice over? Much like Batman ’66, DC revived Wonder Woman ’77 in recent years in the comic book medium. Plus, a Batman ’66/Wonder Woman ’77 crossover comic is in the works, so we can only hope that baby steps are being taken toward an animated adaptation.
Finally, fans of the darker corners of the DC Universe should be pleased to hear that Swamp Thing rounds out the list. With the Avatar of the Green set to appear in both animated and live action versions of Justice League Dark, it would be cool to see him granted a solo outing. Swampy may have hit his pop culture zenith in the early 1990’s, but many devoted comic book readers still adore him. In fact, his co-creator, Len Wein, made his return earlier this year and penned a six-issue miniseries, so now may be the time to capitalize on a revival of sorts.
Although we can’t deny that it’s nice to see more movies with Batman, those other possibilities are definitely exciting as well.
