Batman: The Killing Joke (film)
Batman: The Killing Joke | |
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Blu-ray Disc cover | |
Directed by | Sam Liu |
Produced by | Bruce Timm |
Based on |
Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland |
Starring | |
Music by |
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Edited by | Christopher D. Lozinski |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Warner Home Video |
Release dates |
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Country | United States |
Language | English |
Batman: The Killing Joke is an upcoming direct-to-video animated superhero film directed by Sam Liu and produced by Bruce Timm. It is an adaptation of the 1988 graphic novel of the same name, and is part of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series. The film is scheduled to be released digitally on July 23, 2016, and via DVD and Blu-ray on August 2, 2016.
Plot
Batman explores the origins of Joker. At the same time following his escape, Joker makes his plans that would affect Commissioner Gordon and his daughter Barbara Gordon.
Cast
- Mark Hamill as Joker
- Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne / Batman
- Tara Strong as Barbara Gordon / Batgirl
- Ray Wise as Commissioner James Gordon
Production
In 2011, during San Diego Comic-Con International, actor Mark Hamill, who had wanted to quit playing the Joker at that time, stated that he would be willing to voice the Joker for an adaptation of The Killing Joke, encouraging fans to campaign for said adaptation,[1][2] most notably in a tweet on October 24, 2011.[3] Since then, a Facebook page titled "Petition to get Mark Hamill to play the Joker in animated Killing Joke" has been set up by his fans.[4] In 2013, Bruce Timm also expressed a desire to create the project, saying it was only a possibility.[5] On July 10, 2015, during the Justice League: Gods and Monsters panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Timm announced that an animated film based on the novel is in development and slated to be released in 2016. Sam Liu will direct and Timm will executive produce the film. The film will feature a 15-minute prologue that sets up the story.[6][7] On July 17, Hamill tweeted that he had his "fingers crossed" in hopes that he would be contacted to reprise his role as the Joker.[8] On July 27, Collider.com reported that Hamill will voice the Joker in the film and ComicBook.com spoke with Kevin Conroy who has stated he would reprise his voice role as Bruce Wayne / Batman "in a heartbeat".[9][10] Although Collider has reported that Hamill will reprise the role for the film, Hamill himself has stated he still has his fingers crossed.[11] On March 14, 2016, it was officially announced that Conroy and Hamill will reprise their roles as Batman and Joker respectively in the film alongside Tara Strong returning to voice Barbara Gordon and Ray Wise voicing Commissioner Gordon.[12]
In January 2016, Timm revealed that the film will be screened at San Diego Comic-Con in July. He added that the team had to "add a lot more story" for the film due to the source novel not being long enough to make a feature-length film.[13] In February 2016, concept artist Phil Bourassa revealed that in 2009, Timm was slated to produce an R-rated version of The Killing Joke, but development on the film was stalled after two weeks due to the under-performance of Watchmen, while also showcasing concept art of the Joker.[14] In April, Warner Home Video confirmed that the film will be the first film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series to receive an R rating from the MPAA (as well as the second Batman film to receive an R rating, after the extended cut of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), with Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series president Sam Register explaining, "From the start of production, we encouraged producer Bruce Timm and our team at Warner Bros. Animation to remain faithful to the original story — regardless of the eventual MPAA rating ... We felt it was our responsibility to present our core audience — the comics-loving community — with an animated film that authentically represented the tale they know all too well."[15]
Release
Warner Home Video will host the world premiere of The Killing Joke during the 2016 Comic-Con International in San Diego.[13][12] The film will be released digitally on July 23, 2016, while the deluxe edition and combo pack Blu-ray of the film will be released on August 2, 2016.[16]
References
- ↑ 1:30 mark of Interview with Mark Hamill at Comic-Con 2011 on YouTube
- ↑ "SDCC 2011-BAC: Mark Hamill Interview". YouTube. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
- ↑ Mark Hamill [HamillHimself] (October 23, 2011). "I'd come back for THAT! Spread the word! Campaign for #TheKillingJoke!! RT: @Cha_Luz #DC lets see #TheKillingJoke Mark said hed voice Joker" (Tweet).
- ↑ "Petition to get Mark Hamill to play the Joker in animated Killing Joke". Facebook. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Bruce W. Timm on Killing Joke Animated Film and Future DC films". YouTube. January 29, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
- ↑ Beetle, Tim (July 10, 2015). "Batman: The Killing Joke Gets an Animated Adaptation". DCComics.com. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
- ↑ "SDCC: Timm Announces "Batman: The Killing Joke" As Next Animated Project". Comic Book Resources. July 11, 2015. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
- ↑ Mark Hamill [HamillHimself] (July 17, 2015). "You're not the only one w/ fingers crossed!" (Tweet).
- ↑ Goldberg, Matt (July 27, 2015). "Exclusive: Mark Hamill to Voice The Joker for Batman: The Killing Joke Animated Film". Collider.com. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ↑ Burlingame, Russ (July 27, 2015). "Kevin Conroy Would Love To Do The Killing Joke With Mark Hamill". Comicbook.com. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ↑ Mark Hamill [HamillHimself] (July 27, 2015). "My fingers are still crossed!" (Tweet).
- 1 2 White, Brett (March 15, 2016). "Exclusive: Kevin Conroy & Mark Hamill Star In Animated "Batman: The Killing Joke"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
- 1 2 Jayson, Jay (January 9, 2016). "Batman: The Killing Joke Animated Film To Add To Story, Premiere In July". Comicbook.com. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
- ↑ Blaine, Louise (February 23, 2016). "Batman: The Killing Joke almost got an animated movie back in 2009". GamesRadar. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ↑ Gettell, Oliver (April 14, 2016). "Batman: The Killing Joke animated movie receives R rating — exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ↑ "Batman: The Killing Joke gets a Blu-ray release date with killer extras — exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
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