More Superman/Batman Apocalypse News, Including Casting

Superman Batman Apocalypse

Now that news of September’s Superman/Batman: Apocalypse animated film has leaked, Warner today sent out the official announcement, including a much better cover image … that’s also missing the Green Arrow slug.

Here’s the press release, with some kibitzing:

To save an earthbound Kryptonian, the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight unite once again -– this time to battle the powerful forces of Darkseid -– in Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, the ninth entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 movies, coming September 28, 2010 from Warner Premiere, DC Comics, and Warner Bros. Animation. The highly anticipated, full-length film will be distributed by Warner Home Video as a Special Edition Blu-ray and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD as well as single disc DVD. The film will also be available On Demand and for Download.

Superman Batman Apocalypse

Fan favorites Tim Daly (Private Practice) and Kevin Conroy (China Beach) return to their seminal roles as Superman and Batman, respectively. The celebrity-laden guest cast is headed by Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age) as the daunting Darkseid. Sci-fi heroine Summer Glau (Serenity/Firefly, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) provides the voice of Supergirl, and seven-time Emmy Award winner Ed Asner (Up) reprises his Superman: The Animated Series/Justice League role as Granny Goodness. [NB from Johanna: Yay! That’s one of the best examples of superhero cartoon voice casting ever!]

Based on the DC Comics series/graphic novel Superman/Batman: Supergirl by Jeph Loeb, Michael Turner & Peter Steigerwald, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is produced by animation legend Bruce Timm and directed by Lauren Montgomery (Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths) from a script by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Tab Murphy (Gorillas in the Mist). [NB JDC: Wow, that’s quite a diverse resume!]

After a spaceship splashes down in Gotham City Harbor, Batman and Superman encounter a mysterious Kryptonian with powers as great as those of the Man of Steel. The Kryptonian is soon revealed to be Kara, cousin of Superman, who takes her under his wing to educate her about the ways of Earth. However, the villainous Darkseid has other plans. Seeing an opportunity to finally defeat Superman, Darkseid abducts and gains control of Kara, utilizing the powerful Kryptonian to do his bidding. It’s up to Batman and Superman to save Kara, but they’ll have to take the fight to Darkseid within his hostile world –- where unknown, deadly threats lurk around every corner, including a brainwashed Kryptonian able to match Superman blow-for-blow. [NB JDC: Did they really need to say “Kryptonian” four times in this paragraph?]

In addition to the feature film, the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Special Edition Blu-ray and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD include the third DC Showcase animated short, Green Arrow. Screenwriter Greg Weisman’s story finds Oliver Queen at the Star City International Airport to pick up his girlfriend, only to be forced into action as Green Arrow to protect the 10-year-old Princess of Vlatava from his old nemesis Merlyn the Magnificent and the League of Assassins. The short features the voices of Neal McDonough (Desperate Housewives) and Malcolm McDowell (Entourage). [NB JDC: McDowell rocked as the voice of the Mad Mod on the Teen Titans cartoon!]

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse 2-Disc Special Edition DVD features more than 1 1/2 hours of exciting extra content, including:
• Feature film (est. 75 min)
• DC Showcase: Green Arrow (10 min)
• Sneak Peak at the Next DC Universe Animated Original Movie (10 min)
• Featurette: Supergirl: The Last Daughter of Krypton — A comprehensive look at The Maiden of Might from her introduction in the classic age of comics to her death in the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event to her appearance on Smallville and beyond.
• 2 bonus episodes from animated television series handpicked by Bruce Timm

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Special Edition Blu-ray will include more than 2 1/2 hours of intriguing bonus features, starting with all of the content available on the 2-Disc Special Edition DVD and adding:
• All-New Featurette: The New Gods — This documentary covers Darkseid’s story, particularly in reference to the adaptation of Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. A primer on the wealth of material and stories contained in the New Gods series, along with a deeper understanding of why these characters –- and especially Darkseid –- are so memorable and important to the DC pantheon.
• All-New Featurette Pods
• Orion — The mightiest warrior on either New Genesis or Apokolips,
Orion follows an almost Shakespearean arc culminating in the slaying
of his father, Darkseid. This mini-featurette shines a light on this
classically tragic character.
• Mister Miracle — This mini-featurette focuses on the greatest escape
artist the universe has ever known and how he was traded in a peace
effort to be raised by Darkseid, the enemy of all New Genesis.
• 2 additional bonus TV series episodes handpicked by Bruce Timm
• Digital copy on disc of the feature film [NB JDC: That’s a lot of New Gods promotion for a franchise that’s currently dead. Maybe that’s a hint of more to come?]



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