If you are a fan of the animated series Batman Beyond, your dream might be coming true. A live-action remake of the show is perfectly possible according to creator Bruce Timm. However, it will require a hefty budget because the show is set in the future and much of Gotham is quite different from the city that it is today.
Batman Beyond debuted on the Kids’ WB channel in 1999. The story begins in the year 2039 in Neo-Gotham, where a very aged Bruce Wayne has been fighting crime as Batman but has been failing gradually. When he suffers a heart attack during a chase, he decides that he must give up the mantle for good. Enter Terry McGinnis, an athletic teenager who has a knack for social justice.
When he finds out that his father had been murdered because he had come across sensitive information regarding illegal chemical weapons, Terry decided that he must avenge him.
He goes to Bruce Wayne for help but an initially reluctant Wayne turns him down. Later, Bruce allows Terry to become Batman and mentors the teen himself. Terry develops his own set of enemies, who recur often in the series.
Bruce Timm offered his thoughts on the possibility of a live-action remake:
“Could [Batman Beyond] work in live action? Sure. Of course, it could. I think it’s ready-made for it. I do think it would be a little on the higher end production-value-wise because it would not be a cheap movie to make because it’s set in the future. But there are definitely some cinematic possibilities there, for sure…Honestly, I think the idea of Michael Keaton doing it is cool. Honestly, he looks a little too good,”
“I know he’s probably in his mid-60s now, but he looks pretty damn good for being over 60. I like my old Bruce Wayne to be really old. But, who knows? It could certainly still work. He looks like he could kick most guys’ asses.”
Bruce Timm
With Michael Keaton coming back as Batman in DCEU’s The Flash movie, the fans have been speculating which stories from the DC Comics are particularly suited to the actor. Although it is unclear how long Keaton will be reprising his role for- there are reports that his contract is only for one movie- Batman Beyond seems to be the best story to be adapted to the big screen.
Although it was developed as a kids’ show, the animated series dealt with many mature and dark themes, such as psychological traumas, too much technological advancement and the fear of the unknown. The show now has a huge following and many believe Batman Beyond’s story is one of the best that has ever been brought to screen.
What do you think? Should Batman Beyond be made into a live-action film? Or is it better off as an animated show?
About Batman Beyond
Batman Beyond is an animated series that was created by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and Alan Burnett. The voice cast includes Will Friedle, Kevin Conroy, Cree Summer, Lauren Tom and others.
It revolves around an old Bruce Wayne, who reluctantly hands over the cowl to Terry McGinnis and becomes his mentor.
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