Ever since the debut of Batman: The Animated SeriesOpens in a new tab, actors Kevin ConroyOpens in a new tab and Mark HamillOpens in a new tab have been the voices of BatmanOpens in a new tab and the JokerOpens in a new tab for an entire generation of fans. The duo has gone on to reprised their roles from the beloved series in Batman BeyondOpens in a new tab, Justice LeagueOpens in a new tab, and three different Batman: Arkham AsylumOpens in a new tab video games. They recently paired up once again for an adaptation of the graphic novel The Killing JokeOpens in a new tab, and are also returning to the characters for the upcoming Justice League ActionOpens in a new tab series on Cartoon Network.
But at this past weekend’s Fan Expo in Toronto, the two actors reunited on stage for a rare Q&A panel, where they both coyly teased future direct-to-DVD animated adaptations of popular Batman stories. According to a report from ScreenGeekOpens in a new tab, when a fan in the audience asked about what they want to do next together, the two veteran actors teased two classic Batman stories from the pages of DC ComicsOpens in a new tab as possible future animated films: HushOpens in a new tab and A Death in the Family.
According to the report from Fan Expo, “both exchanged something of a sly response to each other, with Conroy turning to Hamill and saying, ‘What do you think about doing Hush?’ After a huge cheer from the crowd, Hamill one-upped him on the question saying, “What do you think about doing A Death in the Family?“
Both storylines are among Batman’s most popular tales, and make perfect sense to adapt as animated films. A Death in the Family was the 1988 story where the Joker killed Jason ToddOpens in a new tab, the second Robin (and where fans where asked to call in and decide whether the character lived or died). Hush was a 12-part story from Jeph LoebOpens in a new tab and Jim LeeOpens in a new tab from the early 2000s, which featured appearances from nearly every member of Batman’s supporting cast and rogue’s gallery, including the Joker. Hush would likely have to be adapted into a two-part animated film, due to its length, similar to how The Dark Knight ReturnsOpens in a new tab was adapted a couple of years back.
If these movies are coming, they are at least a couple of years away. Next year’s animated film slate for DC includes Justice League DarkOpens in a new tab, Batman and Harley Quinn from Bruce TimmOpens in a new tab, and Teen Titans: The Judas Contract. That means that either Batman film would have to arrive in 2018 at the earliest. Oddly, one of the most obvious choices for adaptation, Batman: The Long Halloween, has not yet been discussed, although maybe DC and Warner BrosOpens in a new tab are saving that one for a live-action adaptation sometime down the road.
What do you think of Hamill and Conroy sticking together as Batman and Mr. J for future Batman animated projects? Leave us your thoughts in the comments down below.
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Image: DC Comics
