Holy prime directives, Batman is Robocop!
The Hollywood Reporter has a story announcing the cast of this fall’s DC Animated movie The Dark Knight Returns, and Robocop‘s Peter Weller will play the aged and retired Batman/Bruce Wayne. Also featured are Ariel Winters (Modern Family) as Robin/Carrie Kelley, Wade Williams (Prison Break) as Two-Face/Harvey Dent, Michael McKean as Dr. Wolper, and David Selby (of the original Dark Shadows soap).
Originally written in 1986 by Frank Miller (Batman: Year One), The Dark Knight Returns is one of the most revered comic book series of all time and has been a huge influence on both Batman and other comics. The grittier, darker story finds a 55 year old Bruce Wayne retired from costume vigilantism until a series of events instigated by old enemies brings him out of retirement. The new Gotham City, however, is not as favorable as it once was ten years ago and its people question The Bat’s style of justice.
The animated movie will be the first to be released under DC Universe Animated Original Movies’ new title, DC Comics Premiere Movies, split into two separate parts released in Fall of 2012 and early 2013. As with all the previous DC animated features, Bruce Timm will again be Executive Producer with Jay Olivia directing an adapted script by Bob Goodman.
By breaking the film up into two parts, DC gives The Dark Knight Returns plenty of time for a faithful adaptation with all the gravitas of Miller’s original tale. Although it’s safe to assume both movies will still be rated PG-13 (as with previous Miller adaptation Batman: Year One), hopefully only some of the violence and language will be curbed while the gritty tone of the series remains.
[ source: The Hollywood Reporter ]