Batman: Caped Crusader Update; 3 Streamers Are

Just before we wrapped up August and moved into September, we learned that Apple, Hulu, and Netflix (“among others”) were expressing “intense interest” in Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves, and Ed Brubaker‘s Batman: Caped Crusader. So why was it being shopped around? The animated series went from HBO Max to being a “free agent” after Warner Bros. Discovery’s cost-cutting measures determined there was more to be made by licensing the series out as opposed to keeping it in-house. Now, we have a quick update on how things are looking, courtesy of Alex Weprin on THR’s “Heat Vision.” Addressing WBD’s decision to be more open-minded when it comes to still being a content licensor, we got a brief update on how things are going for B: CC. Apparently, Timm, Abrams & Reeves “took the show on the road for a series of big pitches to the major streamers this week and last.” And at the time the report was posted, Netflix, Amazon & Hulu were “big contenders.”

During a recent episode of Kevin Smith‘s FatMan Beyond podcast with his co-host Marc Bernardin (who wrote an episode of B: CC) and producer J.C. Reifenberg, the topic of the animated series fate was discussed before it shifted to the idea of the series finding a home on a streamer that’s also the streaming home of the MCU. In the episode below, you’ll see just how intriguing of an idea it is (even if it would never happen…???), with Smith putting it best by adding that Marvel can “own” DC in the decades-old battle between the fanbases by “literally owning DC.” Here’s a look at the episode, followed by a look at our thoughts on the matter:

Putting aside any possible legal stuff that might prohibit it from happening, why shouldn’t Disney+ consider licensing what looks to be an amazing heir-apparent to Batman: The Animated Series? I mean, if Hulu really is in the mix, then would it be that big of a stretch? That said? Taking the “Devil’s Advocate” side for a second, I can understand why they wouldn’t. I mean, would the home of the MCU want to be seen as giving promotion to a series and character from the DCU? Okay, now, with that said? Shit yes! Disney+ should absolutely, and in a heartbeat! Because as much as folks want to tell you otherwise, there’s no such thing as “business” without some “personal” to it. There’s something kinda… I don’t know… knife-twistingly sweet about hosting a series that your competitor can’t (if we’re being blunt) afford to stream themselves. It’s a win-win-win, actually. The series gets a new life on a quality streamer, Disney gets to benefit from the business it brings (and the great PR they’ll get from being to sell themselves as a streamer that’s open to “all” quality content), and “The Mouse” gets to flick a metaphorical lit cigarette into the eye of WMD head David Zaslav (someone’s going to get that reference).