Batman is back for another animated adaptation of a classic DC Comics arc, in the form of the DC Animated Movie Universe, which kicked off in 2013 and just recently wrapped up with 2020's Justice League Dark: Apokolips War.
However, DC does still produce animated movies that exist outside the canon of the DCAMU, and Batman: The Long Halloween will be one such project. That's not to say it won't measure up to the DCAMU's usual level of quality, but it won't be subject to worries about maintaining its continuity. This change is evident in the voice cast, as while some have experience with telling Batman stories overall, it wasn't within the DCAMU. On the bright side, this means those involved with Batman: The Long Halloween have free reign in which to creatively craft their script.
Batman: The Long Halloween graced the pages of DC Comics back in 1996 and 1997, so fans have been waiting decades for a proper adaptation to materialize. Elements of the tale have appeared in prior Batman movies and shows, but never before has the story gotten the deluxe treatment it deserves. Here's everything we know so far about Batman: The Long Halloween.
Batman: The Long Halloween Cast
Leading the voice cast of Batman: The Long Halloween in the titular role is former Jensen Ackles, who has experience with DC animated features, having voiced Jason Todd in 2010's Batman: Under the Red Hood. On a somber note, Glee vet Naya Rivera's final film role is part of The Long Halloween, as she provided the voice for Catwoman/Selina Kyle prior to her tragic accidental death in 2020 at the age of 33. Meanwhile, Josh Duhamel voices Harvey Dent, Billy Burke tackles the role of Jim Gordon, and Titus Welliver plays Gotham City mob boss Carmine Falcone. Also featured are Ant-Man's David Dastmalchian as Calendar Man, Troy Baker as Joker, Amy Landecker as Barbara Gordon, Julie Nathanson as Gilda Dent, Jack Quaid as Alberto, Fred Tatasciore as Solomon Grundy, and Alastair Duncan as Alfred.
Batman: The Long Halloween Release Date Info
Batman: The Long Halloween will tell its story over the course of two films, such as was done previously with Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and The Death of Superman/Reign of the Supermen. Neither part has an official release date just yet, but Part One will likely end up coming out sometime during the spring or summer of 2021, so either way, fans won't have to wait long for this latest Batman animated adventure.
Batman: The Long Halloween Story Details
It's as yet unclear how much or how little Batman: The Long Halloween's movie script will deviate from its comic book inspiration, but the original story is set during Batman's earlier days of protecting Gotham City from criminals. This younger Batman gets no breaks, though, as he's confronted with stopping a serial killer who claims victims monthly, on a major holiday. Naturally, Halloween is the day in question for October, and Batman must work with Jim Gordon and a pre-Two Face Harvey Dent to catch the psychopath before he takes another life.
