News
News on the DC Classic titles. In most cases a link will accompany each headline back to the original article.
News on the DCAU originates from animation and comic book related news sites, personal staff forums or comic book conventions. Fans beware, in some cases, false news does get spread among the internet.
General News - Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders - Batman vs. Two-Face
General News
Scroll down towards the bottom for the latest updates:
August 23, 2016: Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders is the first in a new series of animated movies under the DC Classics Collection line. TVShowsOnDVD Article
October 12, 2016: Those who attended theatrical screenings of Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders were given surveys. One question asked which movie would like to be seen made: Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Wonder Woman '77, or Swamp Thing. We Got This Covered Article
November 1, 2016: There are plans to develop additional classic titles. A movie based on the Wonder Woman 1977 television series is on the wish list to produce. CNN Article
September 10, 2017: James Tucker confirms no plans for a third movie based on the Batman 1966 series. James Tucker Tweet
October 8, 2017: Burt Ward believes there could be more '66 movies if sales on Batman vs. Two-Face do well despite the passing of Adam West. IGN Article
October 18, 2017: Burt Ward hints "there's a lot of stuff coming" despite Rick Morales and Michael Jelenic being less optimistic. CBR Article
November 13, 2017: The Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders and Batman vs. Two-Face will be re-released in a 2 film collection on February 13, 2018 in DVD only so far with an SRP $19.98. TVShowsonDVD Article
November 27, 2017: James Tucker hints they're still trying to make a Wonder Woman '77 movie happen. There was a movement to make it happen but right now, it isn't happening. On Burt Ward's comments at New York Comic Con, Tucker states he's not involved with what project(s) Ward said he's connected to and doesn't think it has to do with Batman '66. The Batcave Podcast Episode 41
February 15, 2018: James Tucker confirms he hasn't heard of any plans to continue with animated versions of live action franchises like Batman'66 for now. James Tucker Tweet
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders News
March 29, 2015: Adam West and Burt Ward recently recorded for an animated Batman movie. It is set for 2016. It might be two parts. There was an extensive recasting, seemingly of the Batman '66 cast. Collinsport Historical Society Article
March 30, 2015: 38 second footage of Adam West and Burt Ward announcing part in animated movie. Barow TheGhoul YT
March 31, 2015: Julie Newmar is allegedly involved in the animated Batman movie. 13th Dimension Article
December 29, 2015: Julie Newmar reveals she, Adam West, and Burt Ward are already being lined up for a sequel to an animated Batman 1966 movie. Express UK Article
May 29, 2016: Adam West and Burt Ward hint movie is set for November release. Bleeding Cool Article
July 8, 2016: Storyboard artist Chase Conley lists "Batman classic" and "Batman: Harley Quinn" DTVs under his recent projects. Toon Zone post
August 17, 2016: 1:20 teaser posted featuring Batman and Robin escaping a giant oven. The movie is titled "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" and will release on Digital HD October 11 and on Blu-Ray combo pack on November 1. Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Nemar confirmed for cast. Joker, Riddler, Penguin, and Catwoman will appear. Movie takes place on Earth and in space. Front cover shown. Entertainment Weekly Article
August 17, 2016: La La Land Records will release the score. FSM Board reply
August 18, 2016: James Tucker co-wrote and produced movie. Rick Morales is the director. Toon Zone post (Facebook grab included)
August 22, 2016: 1:30 trailer, synopsis, initial details, and front cover released. Replicator Ray mentioned in synopsis. Michael Jelenic is the other co-writer and a producer. IGN Article
August 23, 2016: Special features for Blu-Ray will be a featurette on Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman called "Those Dastardly Desperados" and a featurette on the voice actors "A Classic Cadre of Voices". The movie is the first in a new series of animated movies under the DC Classics Collection line. TVShowsOnDVD Article
August 24, 2016: New still of Batman and Robin posted. More news will release on Thursday. Gary Miereanu Tweet
August 25, 2016: Return of the Caped Crusaders will be screened at New York Comic Con on October 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Main Stage of The Javits Center. The panel will include Adam West, director Rick Morales, and screenwriters/producers Michael Jelenic and James Tucker. WB Animation president and EP Sam Register will moderate. ComicBook.com Article
September 9, 2016: Return of the Caped Crusaders will be screened in partnership with Fathom Events on October 10 at 2:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The Diabolical Desperados featurette will be shown with the movie. ComicBook.com Article
September 12, 2016: Official press release for Fathom Events. Stills of Batman and villains included. The reception for Fathom's The Killing Joke screening influenced the screening of Return of the Caped Crusaders. Toon Zone post
September 13, 2016: Dynamic Music Partners - consisting of Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis and Kristopher Carter - will be scoring Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders. Toon Zone post
September 17, 2016: Gary Miereanu posts new Batman still. Gary Miereanu Tweet
September 29, 2016: DC All Access interview with James Tucker and Rick Morales. Advising Adam West during recording, pushing Batman into darker places as a commentary on modern takes on Batman, TV dinners, Batboat and Batcopter confirmed to appear, the show was felt to still be valid and due for a revisit, capturing the feel of the era was a little difficult, and the point of view is a little more ironic and poignant but a bit more than innuendo. DC Tweet
October 3, 2016: Steven Weber voices Alfred Pennyworth, Thomas Lennon voices Chief O'Hara, Jeff Bergman voices the Joker and classic announcer, William Salyers voices the Penguin, Wally Wingert voices the Riddler, Lynn Marie Stewart voices Aunt Harriet, Jim Ward voices Commissioner Gordon, and Sirena Irwin voices TV show host Miranda Moore. Five new stills also released. CBR Article
October 4, 2016: First clip released, featuring the villains. CB Article
October 6, 2016: Second clip released, featuring Bruce and Dick heading to the Batcave after talking to Commissioner Gordon on the Bat-Phone. CB Article
October 6, 2016: Summary of New York Comic Con panel. Michael Jelenic wanted to use the pop song "Miranda" but they couldn't get the rights. Batman was going to sing it. CBR Article
October 8, 2016: The Fathom screenings will now feature an exclusive introduction from the hosts of AMC Network's "Geeking Out," Kevin Smith and Greg Grunberg. They will discuss insights and observations of Batman. CBR Article
October 10, 2016: Third clip released, featuring the Batmobile. CBR Article
October 10, 2016: Summary of New York Comic Con panel. TZ Article
October 10, 2016: Transcript of New York Comic Con roundtable discussions with Rick Morales, James Tucker, Michael Jelenic and Adam West. TZ Article
October 15, 2016: James Tucker confirms animation already came back for Return of the Caped Crusaders as of August 5. James Tucker Tweet
October 20, 2016: Fourth clip released. Gary Miereanu Tweet
October 24, 2016: Fifth clip released. Batman and Robin battle the villains. IGN Article
October 26, 2016: Sixth clip released. Batman and Robin brainstorm where the villains went. CBR Article
November 1, 2016: Summary of round table discussions at New York Comic Con. CBR Article
November 1, 2016: Seventh clip released. Batman and Robin go to space. Gary Miereanu Tweet
November 2, 2016: Soundtrack releases on November 8 through La La Land Records. Track listing and times included with a total time of 72:30. WF Article
November 8, 2016: Interview with Dynamic Music Partners about soundtrack. WF Article
November 11, 2016: Interview with John Takis about soundtrack. WF Article
November 28, 2016: Interview with James Tucker. MegaPodzilla Episode 342
February 8, 2017: Sirena Irwin voiced the Lee Meriwether and Eartha Kitt Catwomen. Wes Gleason Tweet
April 4, 2017: William Salyers voiced Professor Nichols. Wes Gleason Tweet
April 25, 2017: Thomas Lennon also voiced Warden Crichton. Wes Gleason Tweet
November 4, 2017: Bill Dunn posts Shakespeare bust designed by Dusty Abell and painted by himself. Bill Dunn Blogspot
November 4, 2017: Bill Dunn posts interior of Kit-Kat Kave background. Bill Dunn Blogspot
November 4, 2017: Bill Dunn posts exterior of Kit-Kat Kave background. Bill Dunn Blogspot
November 4, 2017: Bill Dunn posts Giant Oven Death Trap. Bill Dunn Blogspot
November 4, 2017: Bill Dunn posts Catwoman's Lair. Bill Dunn Blogspot
November 4, 2017: Bill Dunn posts portrait of One-Eyed Wayne. Bill Dunn Blogspot
November 4, 2017: Bill Dunn posts interior of Bat-Spaceship. Bill Dunn Blogspot
November 4, 2017: Bill Dunn posts Batcave design. Bill Dunn Blogspot
November 4, 2017: Bill Dunn posts Gotham City street scene. Bill Dunn Blogspot
November 27, 2017: Interview with James Tucker. The franchise was not his idea to revisit but everyone at Warner knew '66 was his sweet spot. The blu-rays of the series came out and made money so WHV suddenly saw gold in it and wanted to go back to the well. Sam Register asked Tucker and might have finished the sentence before he said yes. They talked with West and his manager who gave a lot of ideas and it snowballed from there. It was in the middle of doing other movies so Tucker made time but it was really crazy and Michael Jelenic was neck deep in Teen Titans Go! but he did the heavy lifting for the first movie. Tucker would do his pass to make sure it was in the 1966 world. Hw would do as a pass and send it back to Jelenic so they did a back and forth until they came up with the final script then they get notes and adjusted. Tucker likens the movie to be the greatest hits of the series, but thinks Jelenic wanted to make it more meta - about a bigger theme - Batman 66's place in the fandom. In some ways, it was more like a series of vignettes that reference the series, in some ways replicates the movies with the villains, and more of an overview of the series. Tucker reveals they were instructed not to replicate the show by the lawyers, so he looked for a comic book precedent, Commissioner Gordon couldn't look like Hamilton so he made him look like in the comics at the time. Overall, some likenesses weren't available to use. The Batcave Podcast Episode 41
April 3, 2018: Dusty Abell posts 6 character designs for Alfred. Dusty Abell instagram
Batman vs. Two-Face News
March 29, 2015: Adam West and Burt Ward recently recorded for an animated Batman movie that might be two parts. Collinsport Historical Society Article
December 29, 2015: Julie Newmar reveals she, Adam West, and Burt Ward are already being lined up for a sequel to an animated Batman 1966 movie. Express UK Article
October 6, 2016: At the end of New York Comic Con panel, Sam Register announces there will be a sequel and it will feature a character that never appeared on the '66 show. A silhouette of Two-Face reveals a video of William Shatner announcing he will voice Two-Face/Harvey Dent. CBR Article
October 6, 2016: DC Comics posts video of William Shatner's announcement. DC Comics Instagram
October 6, 2016: Gary Miereanu debunks "Batman vs. Two-Face" title. No title has been announced yet. Gary Miereanu Tweet
October 6, 2016: James Tucker reveals "Batman vs. Two-Face" is a working title. James Tucker Tweet
October 7, 2016: First look at Two-Face. Toon Zone Article
October 7, 2016: Julie Newmar posts page from prologue. Title listed is "Batman: The Caped Crusaders VS Two-Face!" Julie Newmar Facebook (must be logged in)
October 7, 2016: Grab of prologue page posted. Toon Zone post
October 11, 2016: Burt Ward confirms he started work on the sequel. He comments, "No matter what I tell you, you're not going to believe this movie when you see it. Everything you thought about the 1960s is going to be upside-down on its head". ComicBook Article
October 25, 2016: Adam West comments on recording for the sequel. He and William Shatner have already recorded. ComicBook Article
February 7, 2017: James Tucker states the sequel is different tonally but still fits in that world of Batman '66. Teleaire Youtube, 1:47-1:59
June 13, 2017: The late Adam West did complete his recording. The 13th Dimension Article
July 25, 2017: Still of Twin 1 and Twin 2 henchmen. Alejandro Mejia instagram
August 3, 2017: A "Batman vs. Two-Face" preorder appears on Barnes and Noble with a release date of October 17, 2017. The cover art features Batman, Robin, Catwoman, and Two-Face. TZ Post
August 3, 2017: Ruben Procopio confirms he boarded on sequel and revealed Wally Wingert has voice roles in it. Ruben Procopio instagram
August 9, 2017: Trailer #1 released. IGN YouTube
August 10, 2017: James Tucker confirms he and Michael Jelenic wrote and produced the movie. James Tucker Tweet
August 10, 2017: Returning cast from the first movie include Steven Weber as Alfred, Jim Ward as Commissioner Gordon, Thomas Lennon as Chief O'Hara and Lynne Marie Stewart as Aunt Harriet. CBR Article
August 14, 2017: Digital release is October 10 and Blu-ray/DVD release is October 17. Batman and Robin have to figure out Two-Face's secret identity as they deal with his crime wave as well as Catwoman, Joker, Riddler, Penguin, Bookworm, Hugo Strange and King Tut. The voice cast includes voice cast includes Jeff Bergman as Joker, Bookworm, and Desmond Dumas, Sirena Irwin as Dr. Quinzel, Thomas Lennon as Chief O'Hara, Lee Meriwether as Lucilee Diamond, William Salyers as Penguin, Lynne Marie Stewart as Aunt Harriet, Jim Ward as Hugo Strange and Commissioner Gordon, Steven Weber as Alfred and Two-Face's henchmen, and Wally Wingert as Riddler and King Tut. Rick Morales is the director, James Tucker is Supervising Producer and Co-Writer, and Michael Jelenic is a Producer and Co-Writer. Special Features are a featurette on Burt Ward, a recording of the Adam West Tribute Panel at San Diego Comic Con 2017 and a interview with Burt Ward and Julie Newmar. "The Wonderful World of Burt Ward" spotlights Burt Ward's life away from acting, including his lifelong devotion to the health and welfare of dogs. The Adam West Tribute Panel featured Lee Meriwether (Catwoman from the 1966 Batman movie), director/writer/actor Kevin Smith, actor/radio personality Ralph Garman, producer James Tucker and moderator Gary Miereanu. In the third special feature, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar discuss various aspects of their lives, ambitions and inspirations. WF Article
August 23, 2017: Back cover released. ToonZone post
October 3, 2017: Soundtrack will be on sale on October 6 on digital platforms and FYE stores. WF Article
October 6, 2017: Interview with Dynamic Music Partners. Collider Article
October 8, 2017: Teaser clip released. SyFy Wire YouTube
October 8, 2017: Second teaser clip released. IGN Article
October 12, 2017: DC All Access does Q&A at NYCC. DC Tweet
October 15, 2017: Summary of NYCC panel. CBR Article
October 17, 2017: A clip of Batman and Robin speaking to Harvey Dent released. CBR Article
October 18, 2017: Cast and crew praise William Shatner's performance. CBR Article
October 18, 2017: There was going to be an end tag that time skipped to 1977 featuring Wonder Woman and an older Batman in Wayne Manor, now decked out to show the new time period. CBR Article
October 20, 2017: 10:33 Interview with James Tucker and William Shatner. MSNBC YouTube
November 27, 2017: Interview with James Tucker. For the second script, Tucker did a lot of the structural stuff and plotting, sent it to Michael Jelenic, back and forth, and then notes. He notes William Shatner really got inspired by the transformation of Two-Face during ADR and well added a lot more to his recording. Tucker brought up Batgirl during work on the 1st movie and it kept getting deflected but he knew there was going to be a 2nd movie so he didn't push it then he found out Yvonne Craig Smith was ill. Once she passed away, Tucker felt it was wrong to try to recast or work her into it with her passing so recent. Wonder Woman was going to meet Batman in the end credits tag at one point in the script but they couldn't work things out with Lynda Carter. The Batcave Podcast Episode 41
March 12, 2019: Dusty Abell posts head turns for Harleen Quinzel. Dusty Abell instagram
March 12, 2019: Dusty Abell posts designs for Harley Quinn. Dusty Abell instagram
March 12, 2019: Dusty Abell posts designs for Harleen Quinzel and Harley Quinn. Dusty Abell instagram
September 30, 2020: The Harley Quinn bonus scene was originally an end tag but after Adam West passed on, Tucker didn't want to end the movie on it anymore and made it into a bonus scene. James Tucker Tweet
September 30, 2020: Originally, there was a longer teaser set in the 1970s for the potential third movie that never happened. Batman vs. Two-Face went long anyway so James Tucker went back to his "Mad Love" storyboard and made a fun nod to Batman: The Animated Series in part to annoy the "grim dark purists" that hated the 1966 series. James Tucker Tweet
November 11, 2020: Poison Ivy was in the first draft and teamed up with Two-Face. She used her powers to control the villains. She was pulling focus from the Bruce and Harvey story and the crew realized there were enough villains already so she was discarded from the script. James Tucker Tweet
