The World’s Finest has confirmed that the future of the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line is currently safe and sound despite the just-announced shuttering of the Warner Premiere direct-to-DVD feature line from Warner Home Video. Recent reports reveal that Warner Bros. studio has shut down the direct-to-video label Warner Premiere, due to a downturn in the home video market, with any currently in-production titles and projects being wrapped up before the brand disappears.
When initial details of the Warner Premiere closure hit, multiple reports were issued stating the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line – released under the Warner Premiere banner – would also come to an end. Representatives for the studio have since confirmed that is not the case. Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video will continue to both produce and release animated films, including not just titles in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line, but for other popular brands including Scooby-Doo, Tom and Jerry, and more.
A representative for Warner Home Video tells The World’s Finest that the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line is still in full swing and “going strong.” Upcoming confirmed titles under the acclaimed direct-to-video banner include Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two. Justice League: Flashpoint and an animated film based on the Action Comics story “Superman: Brainiac” are also currently in the works, though unconfirmed with titles subject to change, with even further titles in various stages of production.
To reiterate, the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line will continue for the foreseeable future, with assorted projects in various stages of completion. Essentially, the closure of Warner Premiere will not effect the line in any way. Details for the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie – Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One – can be found right here at The World’s Finest.
Coverage on past titles in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line can be found here. Stay tuned for further updates here soon.
Warner Home Video has provided the following press release, Blu-ray cover art with bonus feature details, and trailer for the upcoming Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One animated feature. Due to hit shelves on September 25th, 2012, the animated feature adapts the acclaimed comic series of the same name. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One is set to cover the first two installments of the four-part comic series. Continue below to view the trailer – in high-definition and standard definition – along with an early look at the Blu-ray cover art and the official announcement press release.
FRANK MILLER’S COMIC MASTERPIECE IS NOW AN ALL-NEW DC UNIVERSE ANIMATED ORIGINAL MOVIE BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 1 COMING SEPT. 25, 2012 FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO
RoboCop star Peter Weller leads Stellar Voice Cast as Batman in Animated Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD
High-Definition Trailer
Standard Definition Trailer
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 One, 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 One 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 One, 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 One 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 Timm (Justice League: Doom) are the executive producers. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part Two 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 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 One 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 UltraViolet offer is a limited time offer. Restrictions and limitations apply. Go to ultraviolet.flixster .com/info for details.
About Warner Premiere:
Warner Premiere specializes in the development and production of both features and digital content for home entertainment platforms. Past projects include A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song, Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster and Batman: Year One, as well as the digital series Mortal Kombat: Legacy and Aim High. Warner Premiere is at the creative forefront in the made-for-home entertainment marketplace, producing properties that exemplify the commitment to story, production and brand equity for which Warner Bros. is known.
About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment’s home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVD production, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame titles.
About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.
About Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, with an innovative and talent-rich roster boasting some of the most accomplished writers, producers and artists working today. The studio is on the cutting edge of animation technology and has both CG and traditionally animated projects in current production and development. For TV, WBA produces series such as Green Lantern: The Animated Series, The Looney Tunes Show, MAD, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and Young Justice: Invasion, as well as the forthcoming Beware The Batman and Teen Titans Go!, for Cartoon Network. WBA also produces series and additional original content — including animated shorts — for Cartoon Network’s multiplatform branded DC Nation programming block. In addition to TV programming, WBA produces theatrically released CG cartoon shorts featuring iconic Looney Tunes characters, rendered in stereoscopic 3D. WBA also creates the highly successful series of DC Universe Original Animated Movies for DVD. Producing for multiple platforms including TV, digital and home entertainment both domestically and internationally, WBA is highly respected for its creative and technical excellence, as well as for maintaining the Studio’s rich cartoon heritage. It is also the home of the iconic animated characters from the DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries. One of the most-honored animation studios in history, WBA has been honored with six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, the HUMANITAS Prize, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).
To note, Warner Home Video has reverted the DC Comics Premiere Movie line name back to the original DC Universe Animated Original Movie title. No specific details can be confirmed at this time, but brand identity played a key role in the line’s umbrella reverting to it’s original moniker.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video, the direct-to-video Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part One hits Blu-ray, DVD and assorted download platforms September 25th, 2012. Stay tuned for further updates here soon at The Worlds Finest.
The first two in a series of posters promoting Superman Versus The Elite have been released by Warner Home Video. The two posters, available to view below, are part of the current marketing effort by Warner Home Video to promote the June 12th, 2012 release of the upcoming DC Comics Premiere Movie release. The set of posters will highlight all members of The Elite, opponents to the Man of Steel in the forthcoming animated movie, once the promotion is completed. Click on the thumbnails below for a closer look.
Menagerie and Coldcast are featured in the posters above. Further posters are set to be revealed over the coming weeks, leading up to the official home video debut of Superman Versus The Elite.
In further Superman Versus The Elite news, Warner Home Entertainment and The World’s Finest has teamed up to giveaway five Blu-ray editions of the highly-anticipated Superman Versus The Elite direct-to-video animated feature, available everywhere June 12th, 2012. To enter, simply send an email to bbeyond@yahoo.com including your name, mailing address and phone number. Additionally, please label the email “Superman Versus The Elite contest.” The contest runs from 12:00am (ET) May 28th, 2012 to 12:00am (ET) June 11th, 2012. Only the winners will be contacted upon closure of the contest and recipients selected, which will happen by June 15th, 2012. Please note this contest is open to Canadian and United States residents only.
Superman vs. The Elite, a DC Comics Premiere Movie, is produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video. The all-new, PG-13 rated film is scripted by award-winning comics writer Joe Kelly and the story is adapted from his original 2001 DC Comics release, Whats So Funny About Truth, Justice and the American Way? The single-issue comic, Action Comics #775, was lauded by Wizard Magazine as the Greatest Superman Story of All Time, and ranked the epic tale at No. 21 on its list of the Top 100 Comics of the last 30 years.
In Superman vs. The Elite, Superman’s effectiveness as a super hero comes into question when a new group of super powerful crusaders, known as “The Elite,” appear on the scene. As super heroes, the Elite know no bounds, and are more than willing to kill, even on a massive scale, to stop villainy — putting them on a collision course with the ever-ethical, yet preferably non-lethal Man of Steel.
George Newbern (Father of the Bride) reprises his Justice League animated television role as Superman, and primetime television star Pauley Perrette (NCIS) provides the voice of Lois Lane. Downes steps in as Manchester Black, leader of The Elite. David Kaufman (Justice League: Doom) also reprises his Justice League TV series role as Jimmy Olsen.
The film is directed by Michael Chang (Batman: Brave and the Bold). Bruce Timm (Batman: Year One) is executive producer, and Alan Burnett (Green Lantern: Emerald Knights) is producer.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video, the direct-to-video Superman Versus The Elite animated feature debuts Tuesday, June 12th, 2012 on Blu-ray, DVD, OnDemand and for Download from Warner Home Video.
Stay tuned for further Superman Versus The Elite updates here soon at The Worlds Finest.
The DC Universe Animated Original Movie line the home video line co-produced between Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation has been renamed as part of the ongoing brand overhaul by DC Entertainment and DC Comics. Beginning with the June 2012 Superman Versus The Elite animated feature, upcoming installments of the popular movie line will now fall under the name DC Comics Premiere Movie. Additionally, all titles under the line will feature the new DC Comics logo in the lower left-hand corner, similar to any home video titles featuring DC Comics characters. Warner Home Video recently released the following banner image promoting the upcoming Superman Versus The Elite animated feature, the new DC Comics Premiere Movie trade dress included.
The change in trade dress is part of the rebranding efforts by DC Entertainment, announced back in January 2012. The recent rebranding is part of the companys mission to fully realize the value of its portfolio of brands, stories and characters, distinguished by incredible breadth and depth across publishing, media and merchandise. The new branding started appearing on comic books and graphic novels as of March 2012, the same time as the launch of the DC Nation programming block on Cartoon Network, and is starting to touch upon different consumer products. The new branding will be rolled out over time on other DC Entertainment products from Warner Bros. – including film, television, interactive games and merchandise – with complete saturation before the end of 2012.
The DC Universe Animated Original Movie line was launched in 2007 with Superman/Doomsday, and has since seen a wide selection of home video and soundtrack releases under the banner. Five years later, the line continues to be a profitable endeavor for Warner Home Video. Any currently available home video artwork for Superman Versus The Elite will be modified with the new DC Comics Premiere Movie trade dress, and any significantly re-released titles will be fitted with the new trade dress.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Superman Versus The Elite animated feature debuts June 12th, 2012 on Blu-ray, DVD, OnDemand and for Download from Warner Home Video. Click here for further details. Stay tuned for further updates here soon at The Worlds Finest.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have issued a press release announcing the new Batman: Arkham City – Game of the Year Edition release. The video game will be available in North America on May 29th, 2012 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Click on the thumbnail below to view the trailer in the Quicktime format, along with additional images and press details for the release.
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION
Expanded Version of Award-Winning Videogame to Include Brand New Story Mission,
All Previously Released Downloadable Content and Batman: Year One Movie Download* (restrictions apply)
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced Batman: Arkham City – Game of the Year Edition. The expanded version of the award-winning blockbuster videogame developed by Rocksteady Studios is scheduled for release in North America starting May 29, and in Europe, Australia and other global territories in September, for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation3 computer entertainment system.
Batman: Arkham City is one of the highest reviewed titles of 2011 and with the release of the Batman: Arkham City – Game of the Year Edition, fans can extend the multi-award winning experience as the Dark Knight with Harley Quinns Revenge, the final chapter in Batman: Arkham City that adds more than two hours of original gameplay to the critically-acclaimed interactive title. Also included on disc will be all five previously released downloadable content (DLC) packs, as well as a Batman: Year One movie download *(restrictions apply).
Fans who already own an original boxed edition of Batman: Arkham City can experience the new gameplay by downloading the Harley Quinns Revenge Pack, which will be available beginning May 29 in the PlayStationNetwork and in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360.
The Harley Quinns Revenge mission sends players back into Arkham City to face their final challenge as they interchange between playing as both Batman and Robin. Gamers must utilize each of the characters’ unique combat and investigative skills to uncover Harley’s vengeful plan and shut the gates on the urban mega-prison forever. In addition to experiencing a new storyline, fans can explore new environments and face-off against Harleys all new gang of thugs.
The DLC included on disc includes the Catwoman Pack, Nightwing Bundle Pack, Robin Bundle Pack, Challenge Map Pack and Arkham City Skins Pack. All told, Batman: Arkham City – Game of the Year Edition packages new gameplay content, seven maps, three playable characters, and 12 skins beyond the original retail release:
Maps: Wayne Manor, Main Hall, Freight Train, Black Mask, The Jokers Carnival, Iceberg Long, and Batcave
Playable Characters: Catwoman, Robin and Nightwing
Skins: 1970s Batsuit, Year One Batman, The Dark Knight Returns, Earth One Batman, Batman Beyond Batman, Animated Batman, Sinestro Corps Batman, Long Halloween Catwoman, Animated Catwoman, Animated Robin, Red Robin and Animated Nightwing
Batman: Arkham City builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sending players flying through the expansive Arkham City five times larger than the game world in Batman: Arkham Asylum the new maximum security home for all of Gotham Citys thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Featuring an incredible Rogues Gallery of Gotham Citys most dangerous criminals including Catwoman, The Joker, The Riddler, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Mr. Freeze and many others, the game allows players to genuinely experience what it feels like to be The Dark Knight delivering justice on the streets of Gotham City.
Batman: Arkham City – Game of the Year Edition is based on DC Comics core Batman license and rated T for Teen by the ESRB. Fans can visit www.batmanarkhamcity.com for more information about the game.
Batman: Year One Movie Download* (restrictions apply) offer expires March 31, 2013. Internet connection required. Offer available only through Xbox LIVE or PlayStationNetwork. Must be 13 years or older to redeem offer. Offer good in the United States and Canada only.
About DC Entertainment DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroesa giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroesto raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.
About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.
About Rocksteady Studios Ltd Rocksteady Studios is a multi-award winning videogame developer based in London, England. Located in a spacious, purpose built converted factory, with full motion capture and audio studio capabilities, Rocksteady is an energetic company formed by a core team of senior industry professionals. This creates an ideal balance of drive, talent, proven methods, experience and cutting edge technology to make AAA games. Now employing over 90 people, Rocksteady’s mission is to be a highly professional, efficient company whose purpose is to make great games, and have happy and healthy team members. This philosophy is the heart and soul of the company. Rocksteady received the coveted studio of the year award at the 2009 VGA awards.
Click here for more content from the Batman: Arkham City video game. Batman: Arkham City – Game of the Year Edition, the expanded version of the award-winning blockbuster videogame developed by Rocksteady Studios, is scheduled for release in North America starting May 29th,2012 and in Europe, Australia and other global territories in September 2012, for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation3 computer entertainment system. To discuss the new video game below, please click on the links below.
New updates on Young Justice, Green Lantern: The Animated Series, the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line and the DC Nation programming block were announced over the weekend at the WonderCon 2012. WonderCon is one of the country’s top comics and pop culture conventions, and was held at Anaheim, California and the Anaheim Convention Center for the weekend of March 16 – 18, 2012. Friday night saw a special airing of the upcoming Superman Versus The Elite animated feature and special Q & A, while Saturday brought about DC Nation panel focusing on the DC Nation shorts and Young Justice and Green Lantern: The Animated Series.
During the Friday night screening of the DC Universe Animated Original Movie title Superman Versus The Elite at WonderCon, more details on the home video release are available here, 78 seconds from The Dark Knight Returns, Part One was shown after the main feature. The footage provided clean looks at many of the main characters, including Batman, Robin and the Mutant Leader. The footage was screened exclusively for the convention, but expect a trailer for The Dark Knight Returns, Part One, the Fall 2012 installment of the DC Universe Animated Original Movie line, to be released by summer 2012.
Continuing, new updates for Young Justice and Green Lantern: The Animated Series – the current cartoon titles airing on the DC Nation Saturday morning block on Cartoon Network – were revealed during the DC Nation panel discussion held on Saturday at WonderCon. The panel was attended by Young Justice producer Brandon Vietti, Young Justice producer/story editor Greg Weisman, Green Lantern: The Animated Series producer/story editor Jim Krieg, Green Lantern: The Animated Series producer Giancarlo Volpe, and DC Nation shorts producers Ben Jones and Lauren Faust.
During the panel, Jones announced that the current season of DC Nation shorts are currently underway. Upcoming shorts for this season include more Super Best Friends Forever, DC Worlds Funnest, Black Lightning, Superman of Tokyo, Amethyst, The Atom, Vibe, Doom Patrol and more. Ideas are currently being pitched for an upcoming wave of cartoons, with a second season of DC Nation shorts currently in the works.
A preview of upcoming Green Lantern: The Animated Series episodes was shown during the WonderCon panel. Clips from the preview included Skallox fighting Kilowog, Carol Ferris returning as a delirious Star Sapphire, Razer meeting Saint Walker, and Hal Jordan facing off against the Thanagarians. Krieg and Volpe also hinted that Sinestro is coming to Green Lantern: The Animated Series at some point, and that other human Green Lanterns may be appearing in the future.
Volpe also mentioned he has a plan to adapt the acclaimed “Blackest Night” DC Comics story-line, but it depends on if the show is a hit and he and his production crew have the chance to do more episodes.
A sizzle reel for Young Justice was shown during the panel, providing an overview of the first season and preview of season two – Young Justice: Invasion. The reel included clips of Blue Beetle, Lobo, Clayface, the Flying Graysons, Superboy in his new costume, and Lagoon Boy. Concerning the second season, Vietti says Young Justice: Invasion is a “big, long story” of aliens invading Earth. Nine different alien races from the DC Universe will pop up during the season, plus a visit to Rann. Vietti added that Blue Beetle will play a big role in the second season, and Lagoon Boy will appear, but the size of their roles is being kept under wraps. Jay Garrick will have a much larger role in the second season, Weisman states. 62 new characters will appear in the second season. Weisman called the second season a “20-chapter novel.” The second season of Young Justice is slated to start in April 2012, according to participants of the panel, though the network did not confirm any given dates.
Stay tuned for further updates on all the above related series – and much more – right here at The World’s Finest.