Producer Alan Burnett On “Batman: Under The Red Hood” In Exclusive Interview
Alan Burnett, producer for Batman: Under the Red Hood, recently participated in a brief Q & A with The World’s Finest to discuss both the highly-anticipated animated feature and his future plans. Burnett has a well-established background in Batman-themed animation, working in a host of different creative capacities, including stints on the classic Batman: The Animated Series and The Batman, along with countless other animated features and series. The direct-to-video Batman: Under the Red Hood animated feature debuts July 27th, 2010 on DVD and Blu-ray disc from Warner Home Video.
The World’s Finest: As producer, can you explain your role in Batman: Under the Red Hood and the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line?
Alan Burnett: Im responsible for the development of all the scripts for the DCU.
WF: Right away, how does Batman: Under the Red Hood differ from other Batman DTVs that have come before? Why?
AB: The script, which is by Judd Winick, based on his comic series, is about as heart-wrenching a story as weve done. It puts Batman through the biggest emotional wringer yet. At its heart its a horror story, really, about a lost soul and a descent into hell.
WF: Some fans have asked why not just do Batman: A Death in the Family straight
out instead of using that tragedy as context. Is there a reason why this story was more appealing than the other?
AB: The way Judd pitched Batman: Under the Red Hood to us, Batman: A Death in the Family folded neatly into his story without having to go into any great detail about it. Also, Im not sure that a DTV ending with Batman carrying the
dead body of Robin away from the murder scene would have felt finished.
WF: Can you drop any hints or teases about this movie, as a final enticement for readers?
AB: People whove read the books know theres a big secret in Batman: Under
the Hood, but I dont think knowing the secret spoils the video at all. Youll be trading mystery for suspense. I will say this, in the very last scene, in the very last minute, theres a twist that is different from any other ending weve done, and it packs a punch.
Oh, and for those fans clamoring for another Bruce Timm voice performance, in this one he plays a character with a lot of punctuation marks on him.
One more thing, theres a ten-minute DC Showcase short on Jonah Hex, which rocks.
WF: Lastly, can you give us a quick rundown of what youll be working on next?
AB:Uh, oh, the Warner Bros. publicist is lowering the Cone of Silence, so let me say real fast
The Worlds Finest has published a review of the Batman: Under the Red Hood Blu-ray release, available here to view. Click here to view the trailer for the Batman: Under the Red Hood direct-to-video animated feature.
San Diego Comic-Con 2010 will host the world premiere of the Batman: Under the Red Hood animated feature, along with details on upcoming releases in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line, tonight during a special panel presentation. Further details on the premiere and panel presentation are available here.
In related news, Bruce Greenwood will be reprising his role as Batman from the direct-to-video Batman: Under the Red Hood animated feature for the upcoming Cartoon Network animated series Young Justice animated series. Other cast members include Rob Lowe as Captain Marvel, Jesse McCartney as Robin, Khary Payton as Aqualad, Jason Spisak as Kid Flash, Nolan North as Superboy, Danica McKeller and Miss Martian and Stephanie Lemelin as Artemis.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Batman: Under the Red Hood animated feature debuts July 27th, 2010 on DVD and Blu-ray disc from Warner Home Video. DC Showcase: Jonah Hex will be included on the Blu-ray and Two-Disc Special Editions of Batman: Under the Red Hood. Stay tuned for further updates, including exclusive content, here soon at The Worlds Finest.
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