Frank Miller's landmark graphic novel about fear, hope and redemption is celebrated with proper measures of haunting visuals and intense action in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, the next entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the all-new, PG-13 rated film arrives September 25, 2012 from Warner Home Video as a Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download. The Blu-ray Combo Pack will include UltraViolet.
The DC Universe Animated Original Movies have been a fan favorite since debuting in 2007 with Superman Doomsday. Now averaging three releases each year, the DCU animated films are based on classic tales from DC Comics' revered library or original stories featuring DC's fabled characters. Stars of feature film and primetime television populate the stellar voice casts of the DCU animated films. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 represents the 15th film in the ongoing series.
Fanboy demi-god Peter Weller (Robocop) leads a stellar voice cast as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Joining Weller behind the microphone is David Selby (The Social Network, Dark Shadows) as Commissioner Gordon, Ariel Winter (Modern Family) as Carrie/Robin, three-time DCU veteran Wade Williams (Prison Break) as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, and Michael McKean (This is Spinal Tap) as Dr. Bartholomew Wolper.
In the bleak and ominous future of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1, it's been a decade since Bruce Wayne hung up his cape, following most of the other superheroes who had been forced into retirement. Facing the downside of middle age, a restless Bruce Wayne pacifies his frustration with racecars and liquor - but the Bat still beckons as he watches his city fall prey to gangs of barbaric criminals known as The Mutants.
The return of Harvey Dent as Two-Face finally prompts Wayne to once again don the Dark Knight's cowl, and his dramatic capture of the villain returns him to crime-fighting - simultaneously making him the target of law enforcement and the new hope for a desolate Gotham City. Particularly inspired is a teenage girl named Carrie, who adopts the persona of Robin and ultimately saves Batman from a brutal attack by the Mutant leader. Armed with a new sidekick, and re-energized with a definitive purpose, the Dark Knight returns to protect Gotham from foes new ... and old.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 is directed by Jay Oliva (Man of Steel, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights) from a screenplay by Bob Goodman (Warehouse 13). Sam Register (Young Justice, Teen Titans, Ben 10) and Bruce W. Timm (Justice League: Doom) are the executive producers. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 will provide the epic story's thrilling conclusion with its release in early 2013.
"Frank Miller's classic re-imagining of Batman has been faithfully recreated under Bruce W. Timm's skilled guidance as a masterpiece of storytelling," said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Home Video Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing and Partner Brands. "This story has been treated with great reverence, including a tour-de-force performance by science fiction legend Peter Weller as the voice of Batman. We know our fans will not only love this film as a stand-alone, but will clamor for the release of the second half next year."
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 Blu-ray Combo Pack has more than 2 hours of exciting content, including:
- Standard and high definition versions of the feature film
- UltraViolet™*
- Sneak Peak at Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2, the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie
- Featurette - "Her Name is Carrie ... Her Role is Robin" - An all-new featurette. Experience the role of Robin, through the eyes of a female warrior.
- Featurette - "Batman and Me: The Bob Kane Story" - A documentary comprehensively chronicling the remarkable life of the creator of Batman.
- Two bonus episodes from Batman: The Animated Series handpicked by producer Alan Burnett: Two-Face, Parts 1 and 2
- Digital Comic - "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" (digital comic with cover art and three full comic pages)
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 was released September 25th, 2012 and stars Peter Weller, Ariel Winter, David Selby, Wade Williams, Michael McKean. The film is directed by Jay Oliva.
Comments (17)
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incmob
@Sean-Ryan-Culligan I dont think you are seeing my point. sure they have screwed up... that is not my argument... my point is that you cant just stay hung up on one voice actor... for me, i loved conroy's portrayal of wayne/batman as well, but i am not afraid to hear other interpretations of the character as well. Even hamill knows he cant do it forever and that is why he quit after arham city. perhaps conroy and hamill can just sit and record every word in the english language and they can cut and paste the words together for future animations... thanks for being so enthusiastic about it but conroy has been the voice of batman for 20 years now and i say lets get some other talent in there to hear how they can do it. i am not pissing on the man, i am just saying the world is full of other voices that can make it their own.
9 months agoby @incmobFlag
Sean Ryan Culligan
@incmob change can be good huh? How well did that work out for Batman The Brave and the Bold huh? Horrible piece of trash. How about when The Joker had a really bad voice actor along with dreadlocks in The Batman. Change is one thing, but when you turn what was known and beloved into that, you end up with a Joel Schumacher abomination
9 months agoby @Sean-Ryan-CulliganFlag
Swaggbotjr
I remember seeing the episode of this on the batman the animated series its cool how there taking the story further
9 months agoby @SwaggbotjrFlag
Dfella504
might b good...hell fuk it im a bat fan.......
10 months agoby @dfellaFlag
Justhim_sir
Yea, this not the best looking one or that interesting, hell I didn't really like the last Frank Millar batman movie.
10 months agoby @justhim-sirFlag
THE JOKER
There are a lot of moments that look straight out of the comics, which I appreciate, but the animation looks so sloppy...
10 months agoby @mcleve02Flag
incmob
@skywise i am with you on that. the art work looks well done in keeping the spirit of TDKR, i will be getting this one, it looks a lot better than year one IMO which was a landmark comic as well but the film turned out so-so.
10 months agoby @incmobFlag
incmob
@pjwolsker@Sean-Ryan-Culligan@mka47 sure we all love hamill and conroy, but LOTS of people loved adam west and caeser romero too... and i noticed they didnt get a call back when tim burton made his 89 film... point.
change can be good... and sometimes an unexpected surprise. i think each voice actor just as each actor that has put on the cowl has brought their own flavor to it. I am sure alot of people were really just fine and content believing the world was flat... well, we all know the end of that one don't we :)
10 months agoby @incmobFlag
Dan
Love it, my only complaint is splitting DKR into 2 movies. Not necessary. But I'll definitely be buying it Blu-Ray.
10 months agoby @dan1Flag
Pjwolsker
Kevin Conroy should have done it
10 months agoby @pjwolskerFlag
ROFLitschristian
Box art is insanely awesome.
10 months agoby @ROFLitschristianFlag
SherlockHolmes2009
@skywise Thats what Im hoping, so far it looks like it will. @bawnian-dexeus I havent read it in like 4 years but from what I remember it was pretty good and like @Sean-Ryan-Culligan said Conroy and Hamill will always be Batman and Joker for us 90s kids but Peter Weller sounds pretty good as an older version of Batman
10 months agoby @SherlockHolmes2009Flag
SpaceCowboy
Ugh... little sick of how ridged the animation in these DC movies are. However, I do find it kinda funny that the Two-Face two-parter form Batman TAS will be included on this set.
10 months agoby @SpaceCowboyFlag
Mka47
caca
@Sean-Ryan-Culligan I agree Conroy is the man! Hamill is badass too
10 months agoby @mka47Flag
Sean Ryan Culligan
Sorry, but Kevin Conroy will forever be the only official voice for Batman. That's not saying Peter Weller didn't do a great a job from what I can see in that trailer, but like how Mark Hamill will forever be The Joker, Conroy will be Batman.
10 months agoby @Sean-Ryan-CulliganFlag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
Hmm, not what I expected Batman to look like. Never read the novel. Although The Batman series had a better looking version. But that is just me. Peter Weller fits the profile, even after I said Conroy should have returned. Will own it for sure. Hope it's good
10 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
skywise
Nice, I have been waiting for the Frank Miller adapation. Hope this stays true to the book.
10 months agoby @skywiseFlag