James Harvey
10-17-2001, 10:57 AM
Warner Bros. has confirmed that animated Batman DVDs are on the way in 2002, beginning in the spring. During the WB Chat event last night at <a href="http://hometheaterforum.com">Home Theater Forum</a>, a correspondent for ToonZone asked for information on any animated Batman DVDs. To see a complete chat transcript, simply <a href="http://www.hometheaterforum.com/files/warner2.txt">Click Here!</a>. The response is something all Batfans were glad to here. The WB rep announced these titles coming in 2002:
<a href="http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/rotj10.jpg"><img src="http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/rotj10.jpg" widtht=200 height=125 border=0 align="right" vspace=3 hspace=3 alt="Original Flashback Scene"></a>
<li>Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker - The Original Cut -- <font color="red">Updated!</font color="red">
The original cut will be the print seen in the masny bootleg screeners that circulated in November of 2000 when WB announced that the film would be re-edited. The 'original' version will include the unedited flashback sequence, Bonk's original death scene, as well as longer version of fights sequences and original dialogue. World's Finest has a complete listing of all 50+ cuts that WB did to the movie, which can be viewed <a href="http://wf.toonzone.net/bbeyond/rotjcuts.html">Here</a>. WB released a "new" version, which was still critically acclaimed but only had fair sales.
New rumor has surfaced that this version will be presented in widescreen.
<li>Batman: The Animated Series -- <font color="red">Updated!</font color="red">
Episodes! These DVDs will feature episodes of B:TAS. It is not sure if it will be a season set that Wizard reported, or if it will just be the regular "Best Of"/random episode sets the WB is mostly known for. WB did say if the interest is there, box sets are highly possible.
<a href="http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/wfepisodes/wfp3_05.jpg"><img src="http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/wfepisodes/wfp3_05.jpg" width=200 height=125 border=0 align="right" vspace=3 hspace=3 alt="Batman"></a>
<li>The Batman/Superman Movie: World's Finest
This DVD will collect the three part Superman episode World's Finest which was put to VHS in 1998. The VHS was a huge seller and still sells well to this day. The three part team up was originally aired in fall of 1997 and was supposed to introduce Batman onto the network, but Kids'WB! jumped the gun and aired two episodes of Batman before the three part team up aired. The disc will likely just collect the episodes and have little or no extras. The plot of the episodes involve Joker and Luthor teaming up to Bring down Superman and Batman.
<li>Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero
This DVD will collect the original direct-to-video Batman movie which was released in 1998. The plot of the movie involved Mr. Freeze kidnapping Barbara Gordan so he can save the life of his dieing comatose wife. This movie was supposed to be released in conjunction with 1997's abysmal Batman & Robin live action movie. It is expected this DVD release will lead into the anticipated new animated direct-to-video Batman DVDs, scheduled to be greenlighted shortly.
WB also announced that special edition of Batman and Batman Returns were under consideration. Also, a special edition of The Iron Giant will hit shelves in late 2002.
Stay tuned for more DVD updates here at TZN!
<a href="http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/rotj10.jpg"><img src="http://www.toonzone.net/worldsfinest/bbeyond/rotj10.jpg" widtht=200 height=125 border=0 align="right" vspace=3 hspace=3 alt="Original Flashback Scene"></a>
<li>Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker - The Original Cut -- <font color="red">Updated!</font color="red">
The original cut will be the print seen in the masny bootleg screeners that circulated in November of 2000 when WB announced that the film would be re-edited. The 'original' version will include the unedited flashback sequence, Bonk's original death scene, as well as longer version of fights sequences and original dialogue. World's Finest has a complete listing of all 50+ cuts that WB did to the movie, which can be viewed <a href="http://wf.toonzone.net/bbeyond/rotjcuts.html">Here</a>. WB released a "new" version, which was still critically acclaimed but only had fair sales.
New rumor has surfaced that this version will be presented in widescreen.
<li>Batman: The Animated Series -- <font color="red">Updated!</font color="red">
Episodes! These DVDs will feature episodes of B:TAS. It is not sure if it will be a season set that Wizard reported, or if it will just be the regular "Best Of"/random episode sets the WB is mostly known for. WB did say if the interest is there, box sets are highly possible.
<a href="http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/wfepisodes/wfp3_05.jpg"><img src="http://toonzone.net/worldsfinest/wfepisodes/wfp3_05.jpg" width=200 height=125 border=0 align="right" vspace=3 hspace=3 alt="Batman"></a>
<li>The Batman/Superman Movie: World's Finest
This DVD will collect the three part Superman episode World's Finest which was put to VHS in 1998. The VHS was a huge seller and still sells well to this day. The three part team up was originally aired in fall of 1997 and was supposed to introduce Batman onto the network, but Kids'WB! jumped the gun and aired two episodes of Batman before the three part team up aired. The disc will likely just collect the episodes and have little or no extras. The plot of the episodes involve Joker and Luthor teaming up to Bring down Superman and Batman.
<li>Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero
This DVD will collect the original direct-to-video Batman movie which was released in 1998. The plot of the movie involved Mr. Freeze kidnapping Barbara Gordan so he can save the life of his dieing comatose wife. This movie was supposed to be released in conjunction with 1997's abysmal Batman & Robin live action movie. It is expected this DVD release will lead into the anticipated new animated direct-to-video Batman DVDs, scheduled to be greenlighted shortly.
WB also announced that special edition of Batman and Batman Returns were under consideration. Also, a special edition of The Iron Giant will hit shelves in late 2002.
Stay tuned for more DVD updates here at TZN!