In 2022, we learned that Max would no longer stream the Batman: Caped Crusader animated series, prompting Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, and Matt Reeves to take the show on the road and pitch it to other streamers.
Like Batgirl, it seems Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav didn't view the show as a major draw for subscribers. While that movie was shelved, never to see the light of day, the executive at least realised the studio could still earn money from another platform buying this Batman animated series from them.
For a time, Timm's long-awaited return to the DC Animated Universe was stuck in limbo, but Amazon Prime Video later picked the show up for at least two seasons along with last month's Merry Little Batman movie.
However, based on new comments from Batman: Caped Crusader writer and executive producer Ed Brubaker, this show will not be aimed at the same younger audience that the Christmastime tale attracted.
"I'll warn you guys, it's definitely a lot different than [Batman: The Animated Series]," the Winter Soldier co-creator says in the video below. "It's very much a reconception of starting over. It's not PG-13, but it's definitely, it's a lot different. It's sort of like the show Bruce Timm always wanted to make, but that they wouldn't let him make."
"There's a lot more, you know, people actually getting punched on camera, and...I don't want to spoil it for you guys, but it's - everyone will kill me if I say it, but it's kind of noir. It's definitely a different take that I hope people will love, but I think people will also be shocked by some things."
Brubaker dropped a few more interesting details, including the fact comic book writer Greg Rucka penned the second episode (featuring the introduction of Renée Montoya). The Last of Us' Halley Gross has also written an episode, so there's clearly some top-tier talent involved.
It also sounds like the show will be rated PG despite the creative team's attempts to push it to PG-13.
DC Studios is creating its own slate of animated in-continuity DCU projects for Max, so the fact this show is heading to Prime Video hopefully means it will be left free to continue beyond these first two seasons should it prove to be a success.
"We are beyond excited to be working together to bring this character back, to tell engrossing new stories in Gotham City," J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves said in a joint statement when Batman: Caped Crusader was first announced. "The series will be thrilling, cinematic and evocative of Batman’s noir roots, while diving deeper into the psychology of these iconic characters. We cannot wait to share this new world."