It’s long been considered one of the most influential stories in the history of comics, now we have some more details regarding the two part animated adaptation of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns.
The films, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 and Part 2, are being released under the new DC Comics Premiere Movie banner.
It is ten years after an aging Batman has retired and Gotham City has sunk deeper into decadence and lawlessness. Now as his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of glory. Joined by Carrie Kelly, a teenage female Robin, Batman takes to the streets to end the threat of the mutant gangs that have overrun the city. And after facing off against his two greatest enemies, the Joker and Two-Face for the final time, Batman finds himself in mortal combat with his former ally, Superman, in a battle that only one of them will survive.
Plans are to release the first volume in the fall with the second to come in early 2013.
Today, some cast members were revealed including Robocop‘s Peter Weller as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Modern Family’s Ariel Winter as Robin, Wade Williams (Prison Break) as Harvey Dent/Two Face, Michael McKean (Spinal Tap) as Dr. Wolper, the psychiatrist who releases the Joker from Arkham and Dark Shadows‘ David Selby as an unnamed character (although presumably portraying either Alfred or Commissioner Gordon).
There have been no announcements regarding the other major characters including Barbara Gordon, Selina Kyle, Alfred, The Joker, Commissioner Gordon, Green Arrow or Superman. The adaptation was directed by Jay Olivia and written by Bob Goodman.
A small portion of the story has been animated before under the watch of producer Bruce Timm during the run of Batman: The Animated Series in the episode “Legends of the Dark Knight” which featured Michael Ironside as the voice of Batman. It’s a big year in film for Batman fantics as the epic Nolan trilogy comes to an end with the Dark Knight Rises hitting theaters worldwide on July 20th. Make sure you build the excitement by watching (or rewatching) more Batman releases, such as the animated Under the Red Hood, Batman: Year One or Batman: Gotham Knights.
After the jump check out some stills from the upcoming adaptation.
