Hope flickered for fans of the beloved DC animated series, Batman Beyond, as leaked footage recently surfaced online. The clip, courtesy of YouTuber @Vehgeto, showcases a charming pitch for a new Batman Beyond project.
The animation style borrows inspiration from the visually stunning Spider-Verse franchise, bringing the futuristic Neo-Gotham to life.
The brief clip depicts a pivotal moment β a young Terry McGinnis, voiced by the ever-enthusiastic Will Friedle, taking flight for the first time as Batman Beyond.
For those unfamiliar with the series, which debuted in 1999, Batman Beyond takes place decades in the future.
Bruce Wayne, now elderly and retired, mentors a troubled teenager named Terry McGinnis. Driven by a similar sense of vengeance, Terry dons a high-tech Batsuit and tackles the crime rampant in the gritty Neo-Gotham.
Batman Beyond quickly garnered a devoted fanbase, solidifying Terry McGinnis’ place in Batman lore.
The character has transcended the original series, appearing in comics, movies, and other animated projects like Justice League Unlimited.
The leaked footage represents a “Spider-Verse-esque” pitch spearheaded by Yuhki Demers, a visual developer behind the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse film, and writer Patrick Harpin. Sadly, despite the impressive concept art and story outline revealed by Demers earlier this year, the project isn’t currently in development.
However, a glimmer of hope remains. Demers shared his experience pitching the project at Warner Bros., where their initial skepticism (“there is absolutely no way we can do a ππ¦πΊπ°π―α movie”) was met with a surprising response β their enthusiasm for the creators’ passion.
The pitch itself, outlining the entire film, managed to turn a definitive “no” into a cautious “maybe.”
Demers also shed light on the creative team behind the project, which includes himself and Harpin alongside the acclaimed voice cast β Will Friedle as Terry McGinnis and the late Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne.
While the immediate future of Batman Beyond remains uncertain, the leaked footage and Demers’ persistence offer a spark of optimism for fans.
The world of DC animation is already poised for the return of Batman with the “spiritual sequel” to Batman: The Animated Series β Batman: Caped Crusader, heading to Prime Video.
Meanwhile, Will Friedle, the iconic voice of Terry McGinnis, echoes the fans’ sentiments, expressing his eagerness to revisit the role.
“I would love to do more episodes,”
he stated, highlighting his enduring passion for the character and the prospect of reuniting with Kevin Conroy.
Only time will tell if Terry McGinnis will don the cowl once again, but this recent development serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of Batman Beyond and the unwavering dedication of its fans and creators.
