I feel like every few days there’s a new piece of news out of DC Studios that has me intrigued and excited. From the beginning, studio co-head James Gunn has promised animation will be a major part of the output. The DCU will start with Creature Commandos this December after all. Hot on the heels of reports that a Deathstroke and Bane movie is in the works, we learn that another team-up movie, this one called Dynamic Duo, is also on the way. The difference? This one is about two classic Robins with a mix of animation, puppetry, and CGI.
James Gunn shared the news on his Twitter account, saying the movie would be about the early days of both Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. According to Deadline, who fleshed out the story, “They’re orphan thieves, best friends who share dreams of a better life, but their friendship will be tested by competing visions of a future out of which will come a new Dynamic Duo….” Fascinating.
The movie will be the first joint project between DC Studios and Warner Bros Pictures Animation, along with Matt Reeves’ 6th and Idaho production company. Reeves himself will serve as producer on the film, though we should note the animated movie for families will not be in the canon of The Batman and The Penguin. Matthew Aldrich, writer of Disney-Pixar’s Coco, has penned the script.
Dynamic Duo will be the first feature from New Orleans-based animation studio Swaybox and husband-and-wife creators, Arthur Mintz and Theresa Andersson. Mintz will direct the movie. Swaybox uses a “Momo Animation” technology which is a cross between CGI animation, practical elements of stop-motion, and live-action real-time performance. The result, as Deadline writes, is “long-form storytelling that is visually breathtaking, dynamically expressive, and more human.”
Reeves said of the project, “I have wanted to make a film with Arthur and Swaybox for many years, and for that film to be Dynamic Duo, an incredibly special and unique Batman and Robin story for families, is a dream.”
I have to say, this intrigues me beyond words to see how this story plays out. Dick Grayson is one thing, but Jason Todd in a family movie? And how will their relationship exist in this different version of events? Ten bucks says Jason wears a red hoodie the whole time.
At any rate, no word on release dates—why would there be?—but add this to the growing list of DC things to anticipate.
Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.
