The Sign you see on your DVD.
DC Universe Animated Original Movies are direct-to-video film projects being created by Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation, and DC Comics. Currently, twelve feature-length films have been released with additional films slated for release. The first film was released in 2007 and in each year since two to three have been released. Additionally, five short films have been released.
Released projects[]
Superman: Doomsday[]
The first of these projects was Superman: Doomsday, which was loosely based on the popular 1992–1993 storyline "The Death of Superman" where Superman fights Doomsday in a duel to the death. It was released on September 21, 2007.
The film features the voice talents of Adam Baldwin as Superman, Anne Heche as Lois Lane, Adam Wylie as Jimmy Olsen, Ray Wise as Perry White, Swoosie Kurtz as Martha Kent, James Marsters as Lex Luthor, Cree Summer as Mercy Graves, John DiMaggio as Toyman, Tom Kenny as the Robot that works at the Fortress of Solitude, and a voice cameo by Kevin Smith as a grumpy man. The film received generally positive reviews.
Justice League: The New Frontier[]
Justice League: The New Frontier was based on Darwyn Cooke's 2003–2004 graphic novel DC: The New Frontier where the heroes of Earth unite to take on an evil entity called the Centre. It was released on February 26, 2008.
The film features the voice talents of David Boreanaz as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, Kyle MacLachlan as Superman, Lucy Lawless as Wonder Woman, Neil Patrick Harris as Barry Allen/Flash, Jeremy Sisto as Batman, Miguel Ferrer as Martian Manhunter, Brooke Shields as Carol Ferris, Phil Morris as King Faraday, Kyra Sedgwick as Lois Lane, Vicki Lewis as Iris West, Alan Ritchson as Aquaman, and Keith David as The Centre. Also, Joe Alaskey briefly voices Bugs Bunny in one scene where Martian Manhunter was taking on different shapes when watching television.
Batman: Gotham Knight[]
Tying into the release of the 2008 Batman film The Dark Knight, Batman: Gotham Knight is an anthology film that tells a series of stories that take place between 2005's Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. The film was the first to feature Batman using authentic Japanese anime from four different Japanese animation studios. Notable comic talents such as Brian Azzarello, David S. Goyer, and Greg Rucka contributed stories. It was released on July 8, 2008.
Veteran Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy returned once again to play Batman with the voice talents of Jim Meskimen as Lieutenant Gordon and Deadshot, Gary Dourdan as Crispus Allen, Ana Ortiz as Anna Ramirez, David McCallum as Alfred Pennyworth, Parminder Nagra as Cassandra, Rob Paulsen as Sal Maroni, Corey Burton as Scarecrow, Kevin Michael Richardson as Lucius Fox, Jason Marsden as Thomas Wayne, Andrea Romano as Martha Wayne, and George Newbern as the Man in Black that Batman fights in the first story.
Wonder Woman[]
  The solo Wonder Woman film dealt primarily with the origin story of Diana of Themyscira and how she became the recognizable superheroine Wonder Woman. Much of the structure of the origin story was borrowed from George Pérez's post-Crisis on Infinite Earths comics 1987 relaunch entitled "Gods and Mortals". Before screenwriter Michael Jelenic was brought on board for rewrites, the original script was written by former monthly Wonder Woman scribe Gail Simone. It was released on March 3, 2009.
The film features the voice talents of Keri Russell as Wonder Woman, Nathan Fillion as Steve Trevor, Virginia Madsen as Queen Hippolyta, Alfred Molina as Ares, Oliver Platt as Hades, Vicki Lewis as Persephone, Jason C. Miller as Thrax, John DiMaggio as Deimos, Rosario Dawson as Artemis, David McCallum as Zeus, Marg Helgenberger as Hera, and Rick Overton as the President. It was also received positively.
Green Lantern: First Flight[]
Lauren Montgomery returned from Wonder Woman to direct Green Lantern: First Flight. According to Montgomery, "It’s a cop-thriller set in outer space, with very little time spent on Earth. It’s a training day sort of story where the veteran (Sinestro) space cop meets the rookie (Hal Jordan) space cop, but because the veteran has been ‘around the block’ it may have skewed his perspective a bit." The film focuses on Hal Jordan and his relationship with veteran Green Lantern Sinestro, and their relationship as pupil and teacher, until Sinestro betrays the Green Lantern Corps. It was released on July 28, 2009.
The film features the voice talents of Christopher Meloni as Hal Jordan, Victor Garber as Sinestro, Olivia d'Abo as Carol Ferris, Kurtwood Smith as Kanjar Ro, Michael Madsen as Kilowog, Tricia Helfer as Boodikka, David Lander as Ch'p, William Schallert as Appa Ali Apsa, Larry Drake as Ganthet, Malachi Throne as Ranakar, Kath Soucie as Arisia Rrab, and John Larroquette as Tomar-Re. Like its predecessors, the animated film also had a positive reception.
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies[]
  Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is based on the first story arc, "The World's Finest", from the Superman/Batman monthly comic book title from 2003–2004 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. President Lex Luthor uses the oncoming trajectory of a Kryptonite asteroid to frame Superman for the "pending destruction of the planet" and declares a $1 billion bounty on the heads of the Man of Steel and his “partner in crime,” Batman. Superheroes and super villains alike launch a relentless pursuit of Superman and Batman, who must unite to stave off the action-packed onslaught, stop the asteroid, and uncover Luthor’s devious plot. It was released on September 29, 2009.
A significant feature has Tim Daly, Kevin Conroy, Clancy Brown, and CCH Pounder reprising their roles of Superman, Batman, Lex Luthor, and Amanda Waller from Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. The film also features the voice talents of Xander Berkeley as Captain Atom, LeVar Burton as Black Lightning, Allison Mack as Power Girl, Ricardo Chavira as Major Force, a credit-only Jennifer Hale as Starfire, an uncredited Michael Gough as Hawkman, Corey Burton as Captain Marvel, John C. McGinley as Metallo, and Calvin Tran as the Japanese Toyman. It was also received positively.
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths[]
  Loosely based on Grant Morrison's 2000 comic book JLA: Earth 2, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths dealt with a heroic Lex Luthor from an alternate universe appearing to recruit the Justice League to help save his Earth from the Crime Syndicate, a gang of villainous characters who are essentially evil versions of the Justice League. What ensues is the ultimate battle of good versus evil in a war that threatens both planets and, through a devious plan launched by Owlman, puts the balance of all existence in peril. The film was originally brought up as a possible return to the Justice League Unlimited animated series with the title Justice League: Worlds Collide. However, when that series ended, the idea was modified into Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths by mostly retaining the same plot, but removing connections to the TV series. It was released on February 23, 2010.
The film features the voice talents of Mark Harmon as Superman, William Baldwin as Batman, Vanessa Marshall as Wonder Woman, Josh Keaton as Flash, Nolan North as Green Lantern and Power Ring, Jonathan Adams as Martian Manhunter, Brian Bloom as Ultraman, Gina Torres as Superwoman, James Woods as Owlman, James Patrick Stuart as Johnny Quick, Chris Noth as the heroic Lex Luthor, and Bruce Davison as President Slade Wilson.
Batman: Under the Red Hood[]
  Batman: Under the Red Hood was written by comic book scribe Judd Winick. This was an adaptation of Winick's story "Under the Hood" from 2005 in the main Batman title, featured in issues #635-641. It was released on July 27, 2010.
The film features the voice talents of Bruce Greenwood as Batman, Jensen Ackles as Red Hood/Jason Todd, Neil Patrick Harris as Nightwing, John DiMaggio as Joker, Wade Williams as Black Mask, Jason Isaacs as Ra's al Ghul, Kelly Hu as Ms. Li, and Jim Piddock as Alfred Pennyworth.
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, a sequel in the Superman/Batman series, was confirmed for 2010 after the positive sales of Superman/Batman: Public Enemies. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is based on the second story arc, "The Supergirl from Krypton", from the Superman/Batman monthly comic book title from 2004 by Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner. It was released on September 28, 2010.
A significant feature has Tim Daly, Kevin Conroy, Susan Eisenberg, and Edward Asner reprising their roles of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Granny Goodness from Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. The film also features the voice talents of Andre Braugher as Darkseid, Summer Glau as Supergirl, Julianne Grossman as Big Barda, Rachel Quaintance as Lyla and Artemis, Andrea Romano as Stompa, Tara Strong as Lashina, and Salli Saffioti as Gilotina and Mad Harriet.
All-Star Superman[]
  All-Star Superman is an adaptation of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's 2005–2008 comic book All-Star Superman. It was written by writer Dwayne McDuffie and directed by Sam Liu. It was released on February 22, 2011.
The film features the voice talents of James Denton as Superman, Christina Hendricks as Lois Lane, Anthony LaPaglia as Lex Luthor, Edward Asner as Perry White, Obba Babatundé as a judge, Steven Blum as Atlas, Linda Cardellini as Nasthalthia "Nasty" Luthor, Frances Conroy as Martha Kent, Alexis Denisof as Dr. Leo Quintum, Michael Gough as Parasite, Matthew Gray Gubler as Jimmy Olsen, Finola Hughes as Lilo, Kevin Michael Richardson as Steve Lombard, and Arnold Vosloo as Bar-El.
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights[]
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, similar to Batman: Gotham Knight, is an anthology film that tells a series of stories featuring various members of the Green Lantern Corps, including Abin Sur, Sinestro, Kilowog, and Mogo It was released on June 7, 2011. While not a direct sequel to First Flight, the film uses the same character designs and includes a cameo by Ch'p, who had a speaking role in the previous film.
The film features the voice talents of Nathan Fillion as Hal Jordan, Elisabeth Moss as Arisia Rrab, Jason Isaacs as Sinestro, Kelly Hu as Laira, Henry Rollins as Kilowog, Roddy Piper as Bolphunga, Arnold Vosloo as Abin Sur, Wade Williams as Deegan, Peter Jessop as Salaak, Bruce Thomas as Atrocitus, and radio commentator Michael Jackson as Ganthet.
Batman: Year One[]
The film is an adaptation of Frank Miller's story "Batman: Year One" from 1987 in the main Batman title, featured in issues #404–407. It is co-directed by Sam Liu and Lauren Montgomery. It was released on October 18, 2011, the same day as Batman: Arkham City.
The film features the voice talents of Ben McKenzie as Batman, Bryan Cranston as Lt. James Gordon, Eliza Dushku as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Jon Polito as Gillian B. Loeb, Katee Sackhoff as Detective Sarah Essen, Alex Rocco as Carmine Falcone, Fred Tatasciore as Arnold Flass, Robin Atkin Downes as Harvey Dent, Grey DeLisle as Barbara Gordon (James Gordon's wife) and Vicki Vale, Liliana Mumy as Holly Robinson, Pat Musick as Louisa Falcone, Steven Blum as Stan, and Jeff Bennett reprising his role as Alfred Pennyworth from Young Justice.
Upcoming projects[]
Justice League: Doom[]
Justice League: Doom will be a loose adaptation of the Mark Waid-penned JLA story arc, "JLA: Tower of Babel" where the Legion of Doom are formed to eliminate the Justice League using protocols created by Batman to take down the group should its members ever go rogue. The movie was adapted and written by Dwayne McDuffie right before his death in February 2011, and is directed by Lauren Montgomery. It is set to be released in early 2012.
The film will feature various actors reprising their roles from Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited and Green Lantern: Emerald Knights respectively, including: Tim Daly as Superman, Kevin Conroy as Batman, Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Michael Rosenbaum as the The Flash (Barry Allen instead of Wally West), Carl Lumbly as Martian Manhunter, Nathan Fillion as Hal Jordan / Green Lantern, Phil Morris as Vandal Savage, Olivia d'Abo as Star Sapphire, Alexis Denisof as Mirror Master, and David Kaufman as Jimmy Olsen. The film will also feature the voice talents of Bumper Robinson as Cyborg, Carlos Alazraqui as Bane, Paul Blackthorne as Metallo, Claudia Black as Cheetah, and Grey DeLisle as Queen of the Royal Flush Gang. Steven Blum has been cast for a role. The character designs were done by Phil Bourassa (Young Justice), and storyboards and animation are overseen by TMS Entertainment.
Superman Versus The Elite[]
On July 22, 2011 during a Comic-Con screening of Batman: Year One, DC announced their 2012 slate of movies. Superman Versus The Elite is to be the second 2012 release and is likely based on "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?"
The Dark Knight Returns[]
On April 14, 2011, it was revealed that a two-part animated adaptation of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns was in the works. Several previous Batman veterans will be involved.
DC Showcase[]
DC Showcase is a series of short-films focusing on DC characters who normally are unable to have a feature unto themselves. They are released as a co-feature with the main DC Universe Animated Original Movies. DC animation producer Alan Burnett has said that most shorts will be ten minutes. All upcoming shorts are to be directed by Joaquim Dos Santos. Expanded versions of the first three shorts were collected in a compilation titled DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection which was released on November 9, 2010 along with a new 22-minute short titled Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam.
- DC Showcase: The Spectre, featuring the Spectre, is included with Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. The short features the voice talents of Gary Cole in the leading role of the Spectre/Jim Corrigan and supporting cast members Alyssa Milano, Jeff Bennett, Rob Paulsen, and Jon Polito.
- DC Showcase: Jonah Hex, featuring Jonah Hex, is included with Batman: Under the Red Hood. The short features the voice talents of Thomas Jane in the leading role of Jonah Hex and supporting cast members Linda Hamilton, Jason Marsden, Michael Rooker, and Michelle Trachtenberg.
- DC Showcase: Green Arrow, featuring Green Arrow, is included with Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. The short features the voice talents of Neal McDonough in the leading role of Green Arrow and supporting cast members Malcolm McDowell as Merlyn, Steven Blum as Count Vertigo, Grey DeLisle as Black Canary, John DiMaggio, and Ariel Winter.
- Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam, featuring Superman and Captain Marvel, is included with the DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection. A significant feature has George Newbern and Jerry O'Connell reprising their roles of Superman and Captain Marvel from Justice League Unlimited. The short also features the voice talents of Zach Callison as Billy Batson, James Garner as Shazam, Kevin Michael Richardson as Mister Tawky Tawny, Arnold Vosloo as Black Adam, Josh Keaton, and Danica McKellar. The short is twenty-two minutes, giving it the longest run-time of any short in the series.
- DC Showcase: Catwoman, featuring Catwoman, is included with Batman: Year One. The short features the voice talents of Eliza Dushku reprising her role as Catwoman, Liliana Mumy as Holly Robinson and John DiMaggio as Rough Cut. The film also stars Kevin Michael Richardson, Cree Summer, and Tara Strong. The short was directed by Lauren Montgomery and written by Paul Dini. A special feature presentation was shown at the New York Comic Con.