News
News on the Vixen and Freedom Fighters: The Ray digital shortform series. 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.
Vixen Season 1 - Vixen Season 2 - Vixen: The Movie - Freedom Fighters: The Ray - Vixen Season 3 - Beebo Saves Christmas
Vixen Season 1
January 11, 2015: A Vixen animated series will debut in Fall 2015 on The CW Seed, the CW's online digital platform. "Arrow" executive producer Marc Guggenheim is overseeing development of the project and the series will be set in the same world as CW's "Arrow" and "The Flash" live-action series. Arrow and The Flash will feature into the series, as well. Two promotional art by Phil Bourassa was also released. One featured Vixen with Arrow and The Flash. KSite Article
January 12, 2015: Interview with Guggenheim. Will be a six part origin story. Flash and Arrow are prominently involved. Oliver will find out Felicity kissed Barry Allen. Show will have a magic component much like "Arrow" is crime and "Flash" is science. Keto Shimizu and Brian Ford Sullivan are two writers. Expect easter eggs and nods. Is approached like it is a pilot. Signs are good Stephen Amell and Grant Gustin will voice their respective characters. CBR Article
February 1, 2015: Marc Guggenheim revealed the series will be set in Detroit, in part as a nod to the 1980s Justice League team Vixen was a part of in the comics. Assignment X Article
March 6, 2015: During the Long Beach Comic Con last weekend, Marc Guggenheim revealed voice recording is about to start. The tone of "Vixen" will be closer to "Flash" than "Arrow". Stephen Amell and Grant Gustin confirmed. CBR Article
June 10, 2015: Vixen will be presented at the Warner Bros. Television & DC Entertainment Presents Super Hero Saturday Night on July 11 at San Diego Comic Con. CBR Article
June 11, 2015: The Warner Bros. Television & DC Entertainment Presents Super Hero Saturday Night on July 11 will be at Hall H from 8 to 11 pm. CBM Article
June 23, 2015: Vixen will debut later this summer. Marc Guggenheim Tumblr
June 27, 2015: Synopsis posted. Emily Bett Rickards and Carlos Valdes will reprise their roles of Felicity Smoak and Cisco Ramon respectively. kSite Article
June 29, 2015: Vixen will be featured on San Diego Comic Con 2015 tote bags. Designs of Vixen, Flash, and Arrow are updated. CBR Article
July 1, 2015: Vixen is voiced by Megalyn Echikunwoke. Each episode is 5 minutes. The series is essentially a coming a age story. Vixen Varsity Article
July 8, 2015: Phil Bourassa posts Vixen close up. Phil Bourassa instagram
July 8, 2015: Phil Bourassa posts Arrow and Flash close up. Phil Bourassa instagram
July 8, 2015: Phil Bourassa posts group art of Vixen, Arrow, and Flash. Phil Bourassa instagram
July 9, 2015: Phil Bourassa posts Arrow close up. Phil Bourassa instagram
July 9, 2015: Teaser for San Diego Comic Con has Vixen logo. CW Seed Tweet
July 11, 2015: 57 second teaser reel released. Debuts August 25. CW Arrow Tweet
July 12, 2015: James Tucker confirms he is a producer and director and is currently involved in the editing process. Tucker FB Post via TZ
July 14, 2015: James Tucker confirms each episode is five minutes in length. James Tucker Tweet
July 14, 2015: Phil Bourassa posts promo art he did with background painter Bill Dunn for San Diego Comic Con. Phil Bourassa instagram
July 14, 2015: Phil Bourassa posts close up of Vixen in promo art for San Diego Comic Con. Phil Bourassa instagram
July 18, 2015: Marc Guggenheim reveals Vixen takes place circa Arrow season three episode 16. Marc Guggenheim Tumblr
July 23, 2015: Marc Guggenheim talks more about timeframe of Vixen. It takes place around Arrow season three episode 15 or 16. Series was written during shooting of Arrow season three episode 14. It's definitely before Oliver Queen goes off to the League of Assassins. CB Interview
July 27, 2015: James Tucker and Wes Gleason did an ADR recording session with Megalyn Echikunwoke. James Tucker Tweet
July 29, 2015: Phil Bourassa posts Vixen art. Phil Bourassa instagram
July 30, 2015: Early Vixen art posted. CW Seed Tweet
August 4, 2015: Early and finished Arrow art posted. CW Arrow Tweet
August 11, 2015: Vixen teaser image posted. CW Seed Tweet
August 14, 2015: Early and finished Flash art posted. CW Flash Tweet
August 17, 2015: Anika Noni Rose will voice on the characters. Anika Noni Rose Tweet
August 18, 2015: Vixen teaser image posted. CW Seed Tweet
August 18, 2015: Arrow and Flash are interested in Vixen's powers because they weren't from the particle accelerator incident. EW Community Article
August 20, 2015: S.T.A.R. Labs teaser image posted. CW Seed Tweet
August 21, 2015: 45 second featurette with new footage and Marc Guggenheim. In the first episode, Mari will be using her powers as Vixen while being chased by Arrow and Flash then flashback to a few days earlier when she's in jail. CW Seed YouTube
August 21, 2015: 2 minute featurette with new footage and scenes with Marc Guggenheim, James Tucker, Phil Bourassa, and Peter Girardi. Mari is a frustrated student with identity issues. She feels she doesn't belong and wants to find her family and heritage. Mari quotes one of Arrow's famous lines. Flash will be seen unmasked. CW Seed YouTube
August 25, 2015: 35 second trailer for Episode 2. CW Seed YouTube
August 25, 2015: Interview with Megalyn Echikunwoke. CB Article
August 25, 2015: Interview with Megalyn Echikunwoke. TMS Article
August 26, 2015: Interview with Megalyn Echikunwoke. CBR Article
August 28, 2015: 57 second featurette for Episode 2. Marc Guggenheim reveals it will reveal when Mari discovers her powers. She will meet Professor Macalester, who may or may not be a love interest. CW Seed YouTube
August 28, 2015: 1 minute 39 second featurette about designing Vixen with Phil Bourassa, James Tucker, and Megalyn Echikunwoke. CW Seed YouTube
September 1, 2015: 35 second trailer for Episode 3. CW Seed YouTube
September 1, 2015: 1 minute 5 second featurette for Episode 3 with James Tucker and Marc Guggenheim. Mari shows her powers to Chuck. Cisco will debut and names Mari "Vixen." CW Seed YouTube
September 2, 2015: 1 minute 18 second interview with Megalyn Echikunwoke. CW Seed YouTube
September 8, 2015: 1 minute 30 second featurette about animated Arrow and Flash with Marc Guggenheim, James Tucker, and Phil Bourassa. CW Seed YouTube
September 10, 2015: 35 second trailer for Episode 4. CW Seed YouTube
September 15, 2015: 35 second trailer for Episode 5. CW Seed YouTube
September 15, 2015: Interview with Megalyn Echikunwoke. DC Comics Blog
September 18, 2015: 54 second featurette for Episode 5 Marc Guggenheim. It is a pivotal episode where she gets the answers she's been looking for. CW Seed YouTube
September 22, 2015: 35 second trailer for Episode 6. CW Seed YouTube
September 30, 2015: 0:53 second Inside Episode 6 with James Tucker and Marc Guggenheim. CW Seed YouTube
September 30, 2015: 1:07 featurette on animating animal abilities with Peter Girardi and James Tucker. CW Seed YouTube
November 17, 2015: Vixen is now available to stream through Roku on the CW Seed channel. Roku Blog Article
December 19, 2015: Phil Bourassa posts Flash model sheet. Phil Bourassa instagram
December 19, 2015: Phil Bourassa posts Arrow model sheet. Phil Bourassa instagram
December 20, 2015: Phil Bourassa posts Arrow close up and head turns. Phil Bourassa instagram
Vixen Season 2
September 1, 2015: CW is "incredibly amenable" to a season two happening. It mostly depends on numbers and a function of how it drives people to Flash and Arrow. Decider Article
January 10, 2016: Vixen has been renewed for a second season. Deadline Article
January 10, 2016: CW President Mark Pedowtiz said season two will likely have 6 or 7 episodes. Pedowtiz admits he regretted not airing a half hour special comprised of an edited-together version of season one on the CW network. He hopes to rectify that by doing so with season two. He also hopes for a live action spin-off and/or join the "Legends of Tomorrow" cast. IGN Article
March 22, 2016: Recording on season two begins. Megalyn Tweet
April 4, 2016: Katie Cassidy will reprise role of Laurel Lance for season two. EW Article
July 20, 2016: In season two, Vixen will expand her sense of obligation beyond Detroit in keeping with her acknowledgment of there being a bigger world out there. Vixen will pay Arrow and Flash a visit. In addition to Black Canary, she will also meet Firestorm and Atom. CBR Article
July 21, 2016: Season two is titled "Trial by Fire" and will be six episodes. It is produced again by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg, and scripted by returning screenwriter Lauren Certo, with Nolan Dunbar and Sarah Tarkoff. Den of Geek Article
July 23, 2016: 2:01 teaser shows Flash, Firestorm, and Vixen taking on Weather Wizard. CW Seed Tweet
July 24, 2016: It was reported Franz Drameh and Victor Garber would reprise the role of Firestorm. Screen Crush Article
August 8, 2016: DC All Access red carpet Q&A with Megalyn Echikunwoke. DC Tweet
September 12, 2016: October 14 reported as the start date for season 2. CBR Article
September 12, 2016: CW disavows October 14 start date but affirms season 2 will start soon. CW Tweet
October 3, 2016: Season 2 starts on October 13. Regular premieres will be on Fridays. TV Insider Article
October 13, 2016: 45 second season 2 trailer. CW Seed YouTube
October 13, 2016: First Inside Season 2. Marc Guggenheim talks about theme of season 2 and first looks at designs for Felicity, Black Canary and Atom. CW Seed YouTube
October 20, 2016: Inside Episode 2. Marc Guggenheim talks about expanding on the history of the totems. CW Seed YouTube
October 26, 2016: Felicity character models posted. CW Seed Tweet
October 28, 2016: Inside Episode 3. Marc Guggenheim talks about season 2 as a sequel. CW Seed YouTube
November 4, 2016: Inside Episode 4. Marc Guggenheim talks about how episode 4 is a heist story in Star City with Felicity helping Vixen and Kuasa. Guggenheim recalls Felicity was the most requested character to be animated. He talks about how the Arrow actors were game to voice their characters and sent them the character designs as soon as they arrived. CW Seed YouTube
November 11, 2016: Inside Episode 5. Marc Guggenheim talks about the big showdown. CW Seed YouTube
November 18, 2016: Inside Episode 6. Marc Guggenheim talks about Vixen's growth this season. CW Seed YouTube
Vixen: The Movie
July 21, 2016: Report of a bonus episode on DVD. Den of Geek Article
October 10, 2016: There is a forthcoming announcement of distribution of Vixen beyond CW Seed. Marc Guggenheim Tumblr
February 23, 2017: "Vixen: The Movie" combines season one and two with 15 minutes of additional footage. It will release on on Digital HD on May 8, 2017 and on Blu-ray and DVD on May 23, 2017 for $19.98 and $18.94 SRP respectively. Special features include a new featurette "Vixen: Spirit Animal" and Bruce Timm's Top Picks: "Hunter's Moon" and "Grudge Match" from Justice League Unlimited. The Blu-ray will include 1080p Full HD Video with DTS-HD Master Audio for English 5.1 and will include a digital HD copy. The runtime is approximately 75 minutes and enhanced content is approximately 53 minutes. WF Article
May 18, 2017: Clip from new material in Vixen: The Movie. Blastr Article
May 23, 2017: Gary Miereanu posts still from Vixen: The Movie. Gary Miereanu Tweet
August 24, 2017: Vixen: The Movie airs on The CW on August 30 from 8 to 10 pm eastern and will feature Tiffany Smith hosting a Q&A. CW Seed Tweet
September 10, 2017: Phil Bourassa posts art used for cover of Vixen: The Movie release. Drawn in 2016. Bill Dunn did the background paint and Chris Copeland was layout assistant. Phil Bourassa instagram
December 1, 2017: 5 minute, 18 second extended behind the scenes clip posted. CW Seed YouTube
Freedom Fighters: The Ray
August 11, 2016: CW Seed, in collaboration with Blue Ribbon Content, will release a second online animated series - Freedom Fighters: The Ray - in 2017. It is inspired by Grant Morrision's recent update of the character in his Multiversity series. As such, he will be the first gay superhero to lead a show. Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim will be executive producers. Raymond "Ray" Terrill back story and info included in press release. Art previews the Ray and other Freedom Fighters in the background. CW TV PR Article
August 11, 2016: Like Vixen, The Ray will take place in the same continuity as Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow. TV Guide Tweet
August 11, 2016: CW President Mark Pedowitz confirms they are casting the role of the Ray with the same mindset of Vixen, someone who could appear also in any of the live action series. IGN Article
August 11, 2016: Phil Bourassa posts art of the Ray seen in PR. Phil Bourassa instagram
December 7, 2016: Marc Guggenheim reports the outline is finished and his writing staff is assembled. He hints The Ray will be written a different way than Vixen was and is a bit more "ambitious." He also hints it will tie into an upcoming announcement about Vixen. Some characters from the greater Arrowverse will appear in "ways you never saw them before." Collider Article
May 8, 2017: Marc Guggenheim reveals Vixen will be a part of this series and Megalyn Echikunwoke will voice her. Marc Guggenheim Tweet
May 9, 2017: Marc Guggenheim reveals the crew is currently working on it. Marc Guggenheim Tumblr
May 11, 2017: Marc Guggenheim reveals most of the voice recording is done and animatics are currently being worked on. Marc Guggenheim Tumblr
July 14, 2017: One of the San Diego Comic Con bags will feature the Ray. CBR Article
July 21, 2017: Footage from San Diego Comic Con preview night reveals the show takes place in a parallel universe where the Nazi Party won World War II. The Freedom Fighters are liberty's last line of defense on a planet with little to spare. Futuristic Nazis carry around swastika banners. The Freedom Fighters battle a team working for the Nazis consisting of Arrow, Flash, and Supergirl. Den of Geek Article
July 22, 2017: 3 minute trailer released. CW Tweet
July 26, 2017: The Ray releases this Fall. The team of evil counterparts of Arrow, Flash and Supergirl is called the Reichsmen. Stephen Amell will voice the Arrow equivalent, Grant Gustin as The Flash equivalent, and Melissa Benoist will tackle Supergirl's evil doppelganger. The Ray's personal reason for fighting the Nazis is because being gay marks him for death. Word of the Nerd Online Article
July 27, 2017: Phil Bourassa estimates the shorts will be collected into a 70 minute movie. Phil Bourassa instagram reply
August 30, 2017:Guggenheim describes the series as "a classic story about a normal guy who gets superpowers, with all the complications and wish fulfillment that entails." The Ray will have a love interest too, but, "in true superheroic fashion, his obligations are a complication for his love life." They wanted to honor Grant Morrison's Multiversity where the Freedom Fighters are made up of various minorities targeted by Nazis - women, gay men, Jews. At the same time, it's an origin story about The Ray. The Earth-X version of Supergirl confirmed to be Overgirl and will be voiced by Melissa Benoist. There will still be some lighthearted superheroic fun and guest appearances by Cisco, Mr. Terrific and Vixen. TV Insider Article
September 22, 2017: Russell Tovey will voice The Ray and later debut in live action in this upcoming season's CW crossever event. Character description for Ray included and confirms origin as a reporter who discovered a group of government scientists working to turn light into a weapon of mass destruction. The project head exposes him to their genetic light bomb but gains light-based powers instead of being killed. He decides to use his powers to go beyond reporting injustices and ends up getting recruited by Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters. TV Line Article
October 16, 2017: New promo poster released with a first look at Vibe and better look at Doll Man. The series will begin airing in early December. TV Insider Article
October 19, 2017: There was a special screening of The Ray at the Atlanta LGBT Film & Music Festival at 5:40 pm in 444 Theatre. Atlanta LGBT Film & Music Festival instagram
December 1, 2017: Series will premiere in one week. CW Seed Tweet
December 6, 2017: New press release and stills. Ray Terrill dreams of making a real difference like his older brother, a Marine who was killed in Afghanistan. One day, he stumbles upon a dying superhero from Earth-X who is his doppelganger. The Ray transfers his photokinetic energy to Terrill. The New Reichsman of Earth X, led by Overgirl, close in on him as he learns to harness his new powers. Bleeding Cool Article
December 7, 2017: Six episodes will be released on December 8, Ray Terrill is a public interest lawyer on Earth-1, Marc Guggenheim admits to needing to tell an additional story to clean up some continuity inconsistencies, Ray will clash with Overgirl, and Citizen COld will not appear. TV Line Article
December 7, 2017: Interview with Russell Tovey. A relationship will blossom and we will see how Ray's friendships differ in a parallel world. NY Times Article
December 7, 2017: Interview with Russell Tovey. Ray is a lawyer who helps people who are in the minority, who are in the margins, who are struggling to get accommodations. He's a really good guy but he's lonely. He's got a very good friend but he's shy and work is the most important thing to him. Bustle Article
December 7, 2017: Interview with Marc Guggenheim. The Earth-X Flash is called Blitzkrieg. Doll Man and Phantom Lady were chosen to honor the original Freedom Fighters. There were design alterations and re-recording after Russell Tovey was cast. CBR Article
December 8, 2017: Phil Bourassa posts photo of billboard where Barham and Cahuenga meet if you're driving in Hollywood through Universal City. Phil Bourassa instagram
December 8, 2017: 1:15 Trevor Project featurette posted. CW Seed YouTube
December 9, 2017: Phil Bourassa posts process shot of billboard art. Phil Bourassa instagram
December 9, 2017: 0:51 clip from Episode 2. CW Seed YouTube
December 10, 2017: 1:49 clip from Episode 4. CW Seed YouTube
December 11, 2017: 2:22 Animated Freedom Fighters: The Ray featurette posted. CW Seed YouTube
December 12, 2017: 1:37 clip from Episode 1. CW Seed YouTube
December 12, 2017: 0:55 clip from Episode 2. CW Seed YouTube
December 13, 2017: 2:08 Interview with Russell Tovey. CW Seed YouTube
December 13, 2017: 1:03 clip from Episode 6. CW Seed YouTube
December 14, 2017: 1:03 clip from Episode 4. CW Seed YouTube
December 17, 2017: 1:05 clip from Episode 5. CW Seed YouTube
December 21, 2017: 0:51 clip from Episode 2. CW Seed YouTube
January 12, 2018: The back half of the season is currently in production. SyFy Wire Article
January 16, 2018: Russell Tovey reveals he was told The Ray is currently the highest rated show on CW Seed. ComicBook Article
January 22, 2018: 3:08 Interview with Russell Tovey during DC in D.C. event. New Release Wednesday YouTube
January 26, 2018: Rick Haskins, CW's Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital Programs, estimates the second half of six episodes will air in the first quarter of this year. Decider Article
June 5, 2018: The Movie version releases on August 28, 2018. WF Tweet
June 5, 2018: Press release for The Movie. The Geekiary Article
June 25, 2018: New episodes of Freedom Fighters: The Ray will be shown at San Diego Comic Con's preview night on July 18 between 6 and 10 pm at Ballroom 20. The new episodes will also be available online at CW Seed. It is considered season 2. Comic Con PR
July 10, 2018: Vixen turns posted. Premiere changed to July 19. CW Seed Tweet
July 13, 2018: There will be a feature in TV Guide's Comic-Con Magazine. ComicBook Article
July 13, 2018: The Flash will appear in season 2. CW Seed Tweet
July 17, 2018: Green Arrow will appear in season 2. CW Seed Tweet
July 18, 2018: 5:55 "Part 2 - First Five Minutes" clip posted. CW Seed YouTube
July 18, 2018: 00:38 "Last Stand" Trailer posted. CW Seed YouTube
July 18, 2018: 2:21 behind the scenes "The Ray Returns" posted. Girardi, Guggenheim, Bourassa, and Tovey set up part two. CW Seed YouTube
July 19, 2018: 54 second "Rookies" clip released. CW Seed YouTube
July 19, 2018: 59 second "Military prototype" clip released. CW Seed YouTube
July 19, 2018: 43 second "Melissa Benoist plays the Villain" behind the scenes video released. CW Seed YouTube
July 20, 2018: 1:12 "Superhero Street Fight" clip released. CW Seed YouTube
July 21, 2018: 53 second "Nazi Super Girl" clip released. CW Seed YouTube
July 22, 2018: 1:36 "Coming Out" clip released. CW Seed YouTube
Vixen Season 3
May 9, 2017: Marc Guggenheim states season 3 is a "possibility" but will take stock after work on Freedom Fighters is done. Marc Guggenheim Tumblr
Beebo Saves Christmas News
May 25, 2021: There will be a "Beebo Saves Christmas" TV special on The CW in late 2021. The special is one hour long and the synopsis reads, "everyone's favorite fuzzy toy turned furry god will once again be a hero as he hopes to save Christmas. When Sprinkles, an efficiency-obsessed elf, decides that Christmas would run better without Santa Claus, Beebo and his friends travel to the North Pole to help discover what truly makes Christmas meaningful." The special stars Ben Diskin as the voice of Beebo, Kimiko Glenn as the voice of Tweebo, Yvette Nicole Brown as the voice of Turbo, Keith Ferguson as the voice of Fleabo, Chris Kattan as the voice of Sprinkles, Ernie Hudson as the voice of Santa and Victor Garber as the narrator. It is produced by Warner Bros. Animation and is written by Matt Maala and Kevin Shinick and executive produced by Sam Register, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, David Madden, Phil Klemmer, Grainne Godfree, Marc Guggenheim and Keto Shimizu. ComicBook Article
October 4, 2021: Airs on CW on December 1 and December 21 from 8 to 9 pm Eastern. Spoiler TV Article
November 1, 2021: First still released. TV Line Article
November 9, 2021: Official poster released. ComicBook Article
November 15, 2021: 37 second clip released. Marc Guggenheim reveals the original concept of the special was very meta with Beebo saving an old videotape of "Beebo Saves Christmas" so the title was originally "Beebo Saves Beebo Saves Christmas". EW Article
November 25, 2021: Kevin Shinick was sent episodes of Legends of Tomorrow with Beebo's appearances. The crew didn't necessarily want to include the Legends. They ultimately went the route of Beebo Saves Christmas being a special that airs in-universe. Shinick and Matthew Mala already had particular ideas based on their love of Christmas specials when they wrote the script. They constantly joked they want to do an Easter special next. Shinick pitched a Beebo vs. the Groundhog story under the idea that once Beebo saves Christmas, he would get involved with all the other holidays. ComicBook Article
November 27, 2021: 2:13 featurette "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Beebo" posted. CW YouTube
November 29, 2021: Interview with Jojo Ramos Patrick. Animation Scoop Article
November 30, 2021: Interview with Ben Diskin. CBR Article
November 30, 2021: 30 second promo released. CW YouTube
December 1, 2021: Interview with Ben Diskin. ComicBook Article
December 2, 2022: Now available to purchase on digital outlets. ComicBook Article
