Batman: The Long Halloweenhas found its Batman.Jensen AcklesofSupernaturalfame will be starring as the Caped Crusader in Warner Bros. Animation’s adaptation of the beloved comic,per The Hollywood Reporter. This marks Ackles’ second trip to Gotham, after voicing Red Hood in 2010’sBatman: Under the Red Hood.
Ackles is joined byJosh Duhamel(Transformers) as Harvey Dent andBilly Burke(Twilight) as James Gordon, who join forces to hunt down a murderer plaguing Gotham City’s underworld. Their investigation crosses paths with just about every heavy-hitter in Batman’s rogues gallery, from Carmine Falcone (voiced byBosch’sTitus Welliver) to the Joker (voiced byTroy Baker).
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Other announced cast members includeAlastair Duncanas Alfred,Fred Tatascioreas Solomon Grundy,David Dastmalchianas Calendar Man,Amy Landeckeras Barbara Gordon,Julie Nathansonas Gilda Dent andJack Quaidas Alberto, with additional voices byFrances Callier,Greg Chun,Gary Leroi GrayandJim Pirri. The lateNaya Riveraplays Selina Kyle/Catwoman. TheGleestar reportedly completed her voice work prior to her death in July.
Even without the stacked voice cast, the project has a distinguished pedigree, based on the acclaimed 1996 comic series byJeff LoebandTim Sale. Indeed, the comic has plenty of fans in Hollywood, having served as part of the inspiration forChristopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight, and is rumored to have similarly influencedMatt Reeves’ highly anticipatedThe Batman, out next year. The film is directed by veteran animation directorChris Palmer, with a script byTim Sheridan, who worked with Palmer on 2020’sSuperman: Man of Tomorrow. This will be a decidedly darker turn for the team, but with such strong source material, they can’t really go wrong.
The Long Halloweenwill be released in two parts, with the first expected to land later this year (which should give us something to do while we wait forRobert Pattinson’s turn in the cowl inThe Batman).
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