Batman: Gotham Knight Trailer and reviews

[Batbrick]

Okay, some of you may remember my old thread about the upcoming anime style Batman: Gotham Knight DTV movie by Bruce Timm, well, a lot of new news has come in since last time.

Firstly, Kevin Conroy, the man who voiced Batman so perfectly for 10 years in Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited and Batman Beyond IS returning to voice again for this movie! Woooo!

Here is the article that tells more about his holy return, as well as a couple of screenshots and a list of bones features that will be on the disc. Clicky.

I really look forward to these ones:

"A Mirror for the Bat: The Evil Denizens of Gotham City" - A stimulating documentary covering Gotham City's most nefarious of characters, combined with a look into the symbiotic relationship Batman shares with his enemies.

"Batman: The Animated Series" Bonus Episodes - Bruce Timm selects his favorite episodes from Batman: The Animated Series.

"Sneak Peek: Wonder Woman" - DC Universe animated original movie

The last one should keep Brainbox happy

So apart from the return of Conroy's godlike voice (fanboy moment there) the debut of the trailer is here as well! Looks fantastic and destroyed any doubt I had about this movie. Here it is in all it's glory:

480p

720p

1080p

If those links don't work, here is a better one:

http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7050

The movie will premier at Wizard World Chicago like the previous two animated flicks, more news about that Here.

Something really cool as well is that a site has managed to see one of the very first screenings of the movie, which has had very positive feedback. They have a review, spoiler and non-spoiler. Here is the press release, and at the top of the age is a link to the reviews:

http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/dcuam/gothamknight/

Well I'm officially psyched then, I simply can't wait for this. I love DC animation with a passion, and can honestly say I look forward to this just as much as The Dark Knight. Hope you enjoy these little news pieces!

Batbrick Away!

Edited April 13, 2008 by Batbrick

[???theriddler???]

Some movies:

the trailer

And her are pics and articles:

Batman has made it to the far east before in Kia Asamiya's critically acclaimed graphic novels featuring the Dark Knight. Now DC Comics and a variety of anime studios take it a step further: "Batman – Gotham Knight" is the first Batman Anime! See a boatload of pictures and read more about the whole thing!

During the second world war, a famous Batman cover depicts the Dark Knight and his sidekick, Robin the Boy Wonder, sitting behind a machine gun, shooting at opposing Japanese forces. Luckily, the war is long gone and even Batman seems to have forgotten the grudge he once held against the people with the rising sun on their banner. And also the Japanese have apparently forgiven Bats and now he's venturing into asian territory. Not with a machine gun, this time, but with the license to entertain. Yes, folks, Batman will become an anime in the summer of 2008.

What will this whole thing be about, you ask? Well, it's basically the Animatrix with more Batman - Concept-wise at least. "Batman – Gotham Knight" will feature six different stories, all produced by six different anime studios. As for the story, there's not too much revealed yet, but the confirmed villains - read: visible in the trailer - are Scarecrow, Deadshot, Man-Bat and Killer Croc. Apparently, from the statements of the DC-folks, Deadshot will be the main antagonist of this little series as he's played out and redesigned to be some sort of "Anti-Batman." Whatever Batman stands for, Deadshot does not stand for and vice versa. And in spectacular animation, Batman will battle all those villains. And yes, there will be blood. Lots of blood, by the looks of it, so "Batman – Gotham Knight" will be targeted at an older audience.

Of course, this whole project can't go over without a lot of propaganda, despite its amazing looks. Naturally, in the trailer, there's a lot of talking how this step was the best thing to ever happen to Batman and all that stuff we know from countless other trailers. This all is sold to us by names like Denny O'Neil - DC Editor Extraordinaire - and DC's animation Guru Bruce Timm. And I'm willing to believe those people, honestly, since Timm obviously knows what he's talking about and O'Neil has been a name that is associated with DC for ages now. But then there's this one guy who has to do the obvious thing: He followed the obvious trail of "Japan - Anime - Far East - Samurai!" and connected it to Batman. Yessir, Gregory Noveck, SVP Creative Affairs DC Comics, is calling Batman a Samurai. And not only that, because Batman has turned Japanese and regular Samurai are sort of boring, Batman must be Samurai who has lost his master - in his case his father - and is now searching for a new one only to find that master in himself. And this, I'm just going to leave uncommented.

Despite recent speculation, Batman Begins star Christian Bale will not be voicing Batman in direct-to-video Batman: Gotham Knight animated feature.

Sources within Warner Bros. Animation confirm the actor will not be lending his voice to the highly anticipated project. Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video are expected to officially announce Batman: Gotham Knight shortly, including release date information and further details on the animated direct-to-video's plot.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Warner Premiere and DC Comics have officially announced the voice cast for Batman Gotham Knight:

Kevin Conroy, the bench mark by which fans compare all Batman voices, returns to the title role in Batman Gotham Knight, the third release in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie series from DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. Animation, it was announced today. The all-new, original movie will street July 8, 2008 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, as well as OnDemand and Pay-per-View. The film will be available for download on the same date.

Batman Gotham Knight is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman mythos, spinning out of a 40-year history in animation including the Emmy®-winning Batman: The Animated Series, widely considered a pivotal moment in American animation. A cross section of distinguished creators, award-winning producers, and acclaimed writers weave six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne's journey to The Dark Knight, each with stylish art from some of the world's most revered animation visionaries.

Conroy set the standard for modern day Batman voices with his performance in Batman: The Animated Series, The New Adventures of Batman and Robin and The New Batman Superman Adventures. He reprised the role as an aging Bruce Wayne playing mentor to a new Caped Crusader in Batman Beyond. Animation legend and Batman Gotham Knight producer Bruce Timm said Conroy was the obvious choice for both widespread fan approval and to provide an overriding sense of continuity within a film in which Batman appears in so many new, visual variations.

"Anytime we initiate an animated Batman project, 'Will Kevin Conroy voice Batman?' is the first question we hear from fans," said Bruce Timm , Executive Producer. "To meet Kevin is to know that he's not anything like Batman, and yet he manages to perfectly nail that indefinable element that is Batman. He's got the voice, he's got the acting chops, and he's absolutely the best man for the job."

Conroy provided a central, rallying point for a cast that perfectly meshes stars of some of today's highest rated primetime television series with many of the most popular voiceover actors in the business. Gary Dourdan (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty) are heard in multiple segments of the six-story film as police detectives Crispus Allen and Anna Ramirez, key members of a special unit who learn to trust the Dark Knight's motives. Parminder Nagra (ER, Bend It Like Beckham) supplies the voice of Cassandra, a mystical Indian woman who teaches Bruce Wayne to endure and manage his pain. David McCallum (Navy NCIS, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Great Escape) takes on the role of loyal servant Alfred. George Newbern (Father of the Bride) and Alanna Ubach (Legally Blonde) also join the cast.

The cast also features popular voice over artists Corey Burton, Rob Paulsen, Kevin Michael Richardson, Will Friedle, Jason Marsden, Jim Meskimen, Pat Musick, Scott Menville, Hynden Walch, Corey Padnos and Crystal Scales.

Batman Gotham Knight will be available on DVD for $19.98 SRP. There will also be a 2-disc Special Edition DVD available for $29.98 SRP which contains over 100 minutes of bonus features plus 4 bonus episodes. All the content fr m the 2-disc Special Edition DVD will be available on Blu-ray Disc for $34.99 SRP.

Batman Gotham Knight 2-disc Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray Disc will feature incredible extras including:

"Batman and Me a Devotion of Destiny: The Bob Kane Story" - The comprehensive chronology of the remarkable life of the creator of Batman.

"A Mirror for the Bat: The Evil Denizens of Gotham City" - A stimulating documentary covering Gotham City's most nefarious of characters, combined with a look into the symbiotic relationship Batman shares with his enemies.

"Batman: The Animated Series" Bonus Episodes - Bruce Timm selects his favorite episodes from Batman: The Animated Series.

"Sneak Peek: Wonder Woman" - DC Universe animated original movie

Audio Commentary - Featuring the filmmakers of Gotham Knight.

Widescreen (1.78:1)

5.1 Dolby Digital

Batman Gotham Knight was headed by an impressive list of directors who have brought their distinctly different anime styles to the classic Batman character. The production was divided among three renowned studios – Studio 4ºC, Production I.G and Madhouse – and included the truly inimitable visions of directors Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki and Toshiyuki Kubooka. With stories written by several of the most talented writers of film , comic books, and animation, including Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence), David S. Goyer (Batman Begins), Emmy®-winner Alan Burnett (Batman: The Animated Series), Jordan Goldberg (Associate Producer, The Dark Knight), and award-winning comics writers Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello, Batman Gotham Knight presents thrilling new adventures of Batman that spotlight several of Gotham City's most dangerous villains, including the fearsome Scarecrow, the freakish Killer Croc and the unnerving marksman known as Deadshot. Batman Gotham Knight is produced by Emma Thomas (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Michael Uslan & Benja m in Melniker (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) and Toshi Hiruma.

The site!!!!

And this was it!

[zero1312]

Man, what a post! Can't wait for this.

Thanks you two for the infos.

[Batbrick]

Um, ???TheRiddler???, can you please edit out a heap of those pics as links, I can barely find the information or scrol down. Thanks.

Batbrick Away!

[???theriddler???]

Um, ???TheRiddler???, can you please edit out a heap of those pics as links, I can barely find the information or scrol down. Thanks.

Batbrick Away!

I don't understand what your mean.

[Batbrick]

I don't understand what your mean.

In short, Get rid of the pics. Thankyou

Batbrick Away!

[Zarkan]

Deadshot is Not sure about the other two villian designs, but man, how I love Deadshot.

Can't wait to see what the other villians are, if there are others. Anyone for Firefly and Bane?

[Brainbox]

"Sneak Peek: Wonder Woman" - DC Universe animated original movie[/i]

The last one should keep Brainbox happy

Not that you're wrong.

Okay, I want any of my previous doubting remarks to be stricken from the record, this looks fantastic! Kevin Conroy is simply sublime as the Bat, and the fact that he's returning is one of many positive things about this. I may have to buy this.

Not watched the sneak preview yet though. I'll try and do that later, when I have more time.

[Batbrick]

Deadshot is Not sure about the other two villian designs, but man, how I love Deadshot.

Can't wait to see what the other villians are, if there are others. Anyone for Firefly and Bane?

I agree, Deadshot is wonderful. I believe the reason of Killer croc being so exaggerated as revealed in a review is because Scarecrow and Croc are in the same story, so Batman sees Croc through the fear gas like that! Hence why he breathes fire in the trailer, which I love the idea of. I really love Scarecrow's design though, its very unique.

About other villains, thats about the extent of it, other stories involve gangsters, The Narrows victims gone nuts, and more criminals, which i'm fine with, I love seeing Bats vs street gangs.

Not that you're wrong.

, of course I'm right on that one.

Okay, I want any of my previous doubting remarks to be stricken from the record, this looks fantastic! Kevin Conroy is simply sublime as the Bat, and the fact that he's returning is one of many positive things about this. I may have to buy this.

Not watched the sneak preview yet though. I'll try and do that later, when I have more time.

Yes! Win! You admit it! (child mode deactivated). Great to see you like it now, I'll definitely be buying it, it looks fantastic, and I'll get the two-disc special edition as I always do with great movies. I love the shot of Deadshot being owned by Bats on the train, holding him over the edge screaming

Batbrick Away!

[Brainbox]

I really love Scarecrow's design though, its very unique.

Meh, not so fussed really. It's unique and interesting, but I'm not 'loving it'. Deadshot looks good though.

Great to see you like it now, I'll definitely be buying it, it looks fantastic, and I'll get the two-disc special edition as I always do with great movies.

Yeah, me too, if only for the Wonder Woman extra.

[Batbrick]

Meh, not so fussed really. It's unique and interesting, but I'm not 'loving it'. Deadshot looks good though.

Thats understandable, I didn't like it at first. It grew on me though. I'm not sure on the shoulder bits, but I like the mask, looks rather creepy, atleast to me.

Yeah, me too, if only for the Wonder Woman extra.

Naturally, all the features look good actually, and it'll be another nail in your coffin to buy the DCAU

Batbrick Away!

[Brainbox]

Naturally, all the features look good actually, and it'll be another nail in your coffin to buy the DCAU

Well, quite. I was tempted to buy BTAS Volume 1 the other day, but passed due to monetary issues (I can't afford it this monnth). I'm determined to get it sometime though.

[Batbrick]

Well, quite. I was tempted to buy BTAS Volume 1 the other day, but passed due to monetary issues (I can't afford it this monnth). I'm determined to get it sometime though.

Vol 1 i a mixed bag. It contains the worst episodes (Batman in my Basement, The Underdwellers, Last Laugh, Be A Clown etc) but also some of the best (Two-Face part 1 and 2, On Leather Wings, Heart of Ice, Appointment in Crime Alley,Its Never Too Late etc). It really gets good in vol 2 and especially vol 3 when Ra's is introduced (with the ep written by no other than Dennis O Neill himself!)

Batbrick Away!

[Brainbox]

Vol 1 i a mixed bag. It contains the worst episodes (Batman in my Basement, The Underdwellers, Last Laugh, Be A Clown etc) but also some of the best (Two-Face part 1 and 2, On Leather Wings, Heart of Ice, Appointment in Crime Alley,Its Never Too Late etc).

Still, I'd better get it for completeness sake. And at £20 I can hardly complain can I?

and especially vol 3 when Ra's is introduced (with the ep written by no other than Dennis O Neill himself!)

Really? I didn't know that, but it sounds pretty good.

[Batbrick]

Still, I'd better get it for completeness sake. And at £20 I can hardly complain can I?

Oh no, you HAVE to get it for the Two-Face two parter along, it still is a fantastic show, I was just saying that later seasons were far better. Volume 4 is when the style changed, i consider volume 4 and onward a different continuity as it is a lot different. Still great though, Paul Dini's Mad Love is a great ep.

Really? I didn't know that, but it sounds pretty good.

It is good, it is a two=parter called "the Demon's Quest" with the first part essentially an almost word-for-word adaptation of "Daughter of the Demon", great ep again, I love Ra's voice. There are a number of great comic adaptations in the series, Appointment in Crime Alley (there is no hope in crime alley as a comic) and The Laughing fish are two of them.

That said, i hope we can get a "normal" batfilm as well one day, as in, one long epic story. How (pardon the language here) freaking cool would that be?

Batbrick Away!

[Brainbox]

Oh no, you HAVE to get it for the Two-Face two parter along, it still is a fantastic show, I was just saying that later seasons were far better. Volume 4 is when the style changed, i consider volume 4 and onward a different continuity as it is a lot different. Still great though, Paul Dini's Mad Love is a great ep.

Ah right. I take it Vol 4 was when the DCAU was starting to move towards Justice League/JLU, and weren't there some Superman crossovers in there as well?

There are a number of great comic adaptations in the series, Appointment in Crime Alley (there is no hope in crime alley as a comic) and The Laughing fish are two of them.

Ah yes, of course, that's good.

That said, i hope we can get a "normal" batfilm as well one day, as in, one long epic story. How (pardon the language here) freaking cool would that be?

You mean like Mask of the Phantasm or Sub-zero? That'd be nice, certainly. As long as it was good that is. Which I'm sure it would be, being Bats.

[Batbrick]

Ah right. I take it Vol 4 was when the DCAU was starting to move towards Justice League/JLU, and weren't there some Superman crossovers in there as well?

Yes. The style changed from (I like this better) the handrawn, 40's dark deco style to a more sleek one. I love both versions but ultimately BTAS sticks out like a sor thumb, but in a good way. So I consider Volum4 (which should actually be call Gotham Knights anyway) onto Batman Beyond and Justice League a new continuity. Plus Gotham has nit proper night in vol 4, just red sky, which is a bit silly...

And yes, though the Superman series was the one with most crossovers, there's an absolutely fantastic Darkseid arc form STAS to Justice League too. If oyu ever want to see a few eps on youtube or something, I can give a link

You mean like Mask of the Phantasm or Sub-zero? That'd be nice, certainly. As long as it was good that is. Which I'm sure it would be, being Bats.

Yes. I love the idea of Gotham Knight but i'd love to see a new, feature length story featuring Batman in an epic story, one made up, I would rather a classic new story over an adaptation, but either is wonderful. After all, Batman is the best superhero EVER in any comic 'verse at adapting to different mediums.

Batbrick Away!

Edited April 24, 2008 by Batbrick

[Brainbox]

Yes. The style changed from (I like this better) the handrawn, 40's dark deco style to a more sleek one. I love both versions but ultimately BTAS sticks out like a sor thumb, but in a good way. So I consider Volum4 (which should actually be call Gotham Knights anyway) onto Batman Beyond and Justice League a new continuity. Plus Gotham has nit proper night in vol 4, just red sky, which is a bit silly...

Ah, well, I'm a fan of the (comics) League, so I'll probably get the DVDs if I can find them. No luck yet though, no where seems to have them.

And yes, though the Superman series was the one with most crossovers, there's an absolutely fantastic Darkseid arc form STAS to Justice League too. If oyu ever want to see a few eps on youtube or something, I can give a link

Perhaps when I'm less busy. I've got a big box of Lego (free!) to go and sort through, and there's a MOC I'm posting in just a moment.

[Batbrick]

Ah, well, I'm a fan of the (comics) League, so I'll probably get the DVDs if I can find them. No luck yet though, no where seems to have them.

Oh yeah, get them, every season of the DCAU is fantastic. The Justice league series has a lot of fantastic eps. Too bad I have to order most of 'em...

Perhaps when I'm less busy. I've got a big box of Lego (free!) to go and sort through, and there's a MOC I'm posting in just a moment.

How did you get free Lego? I like your moc too btw. Sorting is something i'm having trouble with, I compensate by building giant mocs to get rid of some bricks in the meantime.

Batbrick Away!

[Brainbox]

Too bad I have to order most of 'em...

I think I may have to do the same...

How did you get free Lego?

It came from someone my mum works with. She just wanted to get rid of it, and my mum brought it home for me. There looks to be some okay stuff in, and it's all the better for being free. I'll post a topic on it soon, I've just got to finish going through.

[Batbrick]

I think I may have to do the same...

Still, that's a long way off, still have to get the entire Castle, Batman and Agents line this year. I really wish I could only get a couple of the Agents sets, but I love them all, why couldn't have TLC just kept it a bad theme!

It came from someone my mum works with. She just wanted to get rid of it, and my mum brought it home for me. There looks to be some okay stuff in, and it's all the better for being free. I'll post a topic on it soon, I've just got to finish going through.

Good going, I got a lot of free Lego from my sister's friend, lots of pirate stuff and space. That was a while ago, my auntie has a massive box of classic stuff that I really want, just got to think of a way to obtain it. She doesn't even use it, maybe she'll have to see my collection first

Batbrick Away!