WHEN YOUR FAVORITE TV STARS TOOK A WALK ON THE DARK (KNIGHT) SIDE

Have you seen any of the DC Comics animated films? Well you should because they are pretty awesome. I might be slightly biased but I think the Batman ones are the best. For a long time, Batman live action films were sub par. If you wanted to watch a quality Batman film, you turned to the animated world.

I found this fan art . . . I mean I made it!

Lucky for us the quality of the live action Batman films went up. Even better, the quality of the animated films never went away. Some are better than others but for the most part, each film delivers. I'm willing to bet a lot of you haven't seen the animated films which is a real shame. They tell very rich, compelling stories and, unlike the live action films, they can go a bit crazier with the stunts and action sequences. Most of the recent animated DC films have featured great casts from your favorite TV shows. Don't believe me? I'll prove it:

BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD

This is one of the best Batman animated films. It's based on the Batman: Under the Hood comic book series written by Judd Winick (also the screenwriter for this film). Batman's former partner, Jason Todd, comes back from the dead (as one does) and tries to one up the vigilante game by controlling the crime in the city instead of fighting it.  

JENSEN ACKLES (SUPERNATURAL) AS JASON TODD/RED HOOD

That's right, ladies. Your beloved Dean Winchester is the voice of Red Hood. He gives a great performance playing up the bad ass Red Hood persona but adds a lot of vulnerability to the Jason Todd side. 

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS (HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER) AS NIGHTWING

Harris is a big comic book fan. You ever see his family's Halloween pictures? They're adorable. And here he plays partner to the legend - wait for it - dary Batman. Fun fact, it's not the first time he's played a superhero. He was Peter Parker/Spider-Man on the short lived MTV animated Spider-Man series and Barry Allen/the Flash on Justice League: the New Frontier.

JASON ISAACS (HARRY POTTER) AS RA'S AL GHUL

Lucius Malfoy himself plays the Demon's Head. He doesn't have a big part in the film but he is vital to the story. It's Ra's that brings Jason Todd back to life. I'm hoping they'll bring him back in a later film so he can be a proper adversary to Batman, but it was great casting. 

 BATMAN: YEAR ONE

A very faithful adaptation to Frank Miller's classic Batman story. For many years, this was considered to be the definitive Batman origin story. Elements of the story are even included in Batman Begins. Unlike most adaptations of Batman, this one is very low tech. Batman has very few gadgets and true to the "Year One" moniker, Batman makes many mistakes. Out of all the Batman animated films, this one has my favorite cast (despite the lack of Kevin Conroy). 

BRYAN CRANSTON (BREAKING BAD) AS JIM GORDON

This is arguably the best casting in any of the animated DC Comics films. Cranston is a master of comedy, drama, and being a bad ass in general. Gordon needs to have all of those qualities. Year One is, at its core, more of a Jim Gordon story than a Batman story. A strong actor was needed to anchor the film and they don't get much better than billion-time Emmy winning Bryan Cranston. If you haven't seen this movie, I just gave you the only reason you need. Now look at that picture and tell me we shouldn't get a motion going for Cranston to be cast in a live action film. It's not like he doesn't have an in with Ben Affleck. They co-starred in Argo together . . . Let's make it happen!

BEN MCKENZIE (GOTHAM) AS BRUCE WAYNE/BATMAN

Before he was Gordon, he was Batman. He is the only actor to play both parts. Lucky for him, he's a talented enough actor that he could play both parts and make them feel distinct. When I heard he was cast in Gotham I laughed knowing that he already had experience in the Batman universe. His Batman is angry, untested, and vulnerable. And in case you're wondering, yes, McKenzie did have a good Bat-voice. I'd love to see him come back in a future film either as Gordon or Batman.

ELIZA DUSHKU (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) AS SELINA KYLE/CATWOMAN

Like I said, this film had a perfect cast. The best part about the cast is that Cranston and McKenzie could easily have played their characters in a live action film and Eliza Dushku is no different. She was great as Selina Kyle in Batman: Year One and the Catwoman short that was on the DVD/Blu-Ray. I was lucky enough to meet Dushku at New York Comic Con a few years ago and told her she was perfect for Catwoman and should play her in live action. She smiled and agreed. Hopefully one day we'll get to see her in live action. For now, I'll settle for her doing another Catwoman animated appearance. 

THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS:

The other Frank Miller Batman story. It was Bruce Timm's pet project. And it was great. It had a stellar cast and wonderful animation. It was split into two parts but it was necessary to make it as faithful to the book as it was. True there aren't a lot of surprises in it, given how faithful it is, but it still looks and feels amazing. The Dark Knight Returns is arguably the most famous Batman comic to date inspiring the original Tim Burton Batman film, the Nolan Trilogy, and even Batman's appearance and attitude in the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

PETER WELLER (ROBOCOP) AS BRUCE WAYNE/BATMAN

That's right. Robocop is Batman. As far as Bat-casting goes, it doesn't get much better than that. It may seem like "stunt casting" but luckily Weller gives a wonderful performance. He channels Miller's Batman perfectly. I doubt we'll see Weller come back as Batman but one can always hope. Heck, he'd make a great live action older Bruce Wayne for a Batman Beyond film . . . Now there's an idea . . . 

ARIEL WINTER (MODERN FAMILY) AS CARRIE KELLY/ROBIN

The geeky Dunphy daughter from Modern Family is Robin in the Dark Knight Returns movie. That's awesome. I like to think that Phil Dunphy would be very proud of that. Winter gives a great performance as Batman's newest protege. She's Batman's biggest fan and becomes his most loyal follower. Winter gives us a Robin that is new and different, not to mention fun. That's what Robin needs to be. 

BATMAN: ASSAULT ON ARKHAM

This film is unique in that it takes place in the same universe as the Batman: Arkham Asylum games. This film is more about the Suicide Squad than about Batman but they kick a lot of ass in the movie so it ends up being worth it. Also, Kevin Conroy plays Batman in it so that's a welcome addition as always. 

MATTHEW GRAY GUBLER (CRIMINAL MINDS) AS EDWARD NYGMA/THE RIDDLER

Perfect casting. You ever see Criminal Minds? Gubler's character, Dr. Spencer Reed, is a genius FBI profiler. One wrong step and he could easily have been a villain. He channels that villain energy into his portrayal as the Riddler. It's another case where he would be perfect as a live action version but the voice will do for now. He's not necessarily the primary antagonist but he makes you want to see more of him. That's a great character right there! Fun fact - Gubler had a role in another DC animated movie. He played Jimmy Olsen in All Star Superman. He was great :) 

GIANCARLO ESPOSITO (BREAKING BAD) AS BLACK SPIDER

I'll be honest here - I don't know much about this character. I don't think I've ever even read a comic book with him in it. But I'm a huge Breaking Bad fan and whenever Giancarlo Esposito is involved, especially as a villain, you know we're in for a treat. The downside is that he's part of a team here so he doesn't get much of a chance to shine. Hopefully the great Andrea Romano (voice director for the animated DC movies) will find a better role for him in the future. 

SON OF BATMAN
Based on the Grant Morrison story Batman and Son. This film introduces Batman's son Damian. This character originally was created to be killed off in the aforementioned storyline but Morrison and the fans grew to like the character. Damian is now the current Robin in the comic books. I didn't care for him at first but he's grown on me as a worthy sidekick to Batman. This film served as a great introduction to the DC Animated Universe. I definitely hope to see more of Damian and maybe even an intro into the live action films.

GIANCARLO ESPOSITO (BREAKING BAD) AS RA'S AL GHUL

Ok so I just mentioned him in the last segment, but he's worth mentioning again. Why? Well have you seen Breaking Bad?? Gus was one of the best villains in TV history due in no small part to Esposito's performance. Casting him as one of Batman's greatest adversaries? Priceless. As it was in Batman: Under the Red Hood, Ra's is underused in this film. It's a shame really because Esposito as either Black Spider or Ra's is great casting. I would definitely like to see him in more of these animated films playing a bigger role. Like I said, he's been underused. I'd like to see him show off his acting chops. Maybe he can play Ra's again and meet up with Cranston as Jim Gordon? That would be sweet!

DAVID MCCALLUM (NCIS) AS ALFRED PENNYWORTH

Another case of perfect casting. Ducky from NCIS as Alfred. That's just awesome. He has just the right amount of sarcasm and affection to make him a great Alfred. Again, it's another casting situation where he would make a great live action cast member. He'll definitely be playing the character again in the upcoming Batman vs Robin. I hope it's not the last time. 

THOMAS GIBSON (CRIMINAL MINDS) AS SLADE WILSON/DEATHSTROKE

Yepp.  Freaking Hotch from Criminal Minds is Deathstroke. If you ever watch that show, you'll agree with me that Hotch is the Batman of that group. He's focused, determined, and a total bad ass. I always wanted Gibson to play Batman in an animated movie. In fact, I met Andrea Romano a few years ago at New York Comic Con and said, "We need more Matthew Gray Gubler as Jimmy Olsen. And Thomas Gibson for Batman!" She replied, "Oh he's great isn't he? And Gibson is on my list!" I shook her hand and left with a big smile. While I didn't exactly get my wish, we got the next best thing. If Gibson couldn't be the Dark Knight then Deathstroke is also good in my book. He's a great character. In the film, he's Ra's Al Ghul's right hand man, until Damian becomes Ghul's chosen heir. Deathstroke doesn't take too kindly to this and kills Ra's. Damian teams up with Batman to get his revenge on Deathstroke. It's a cool story and Gibson is great as the master assassin. However, I'm still holding out hope that we'll see him play Batman someday . . . 

On another day, I'll discuss the other DC animated movies and the brilliant casting they have. For now, I hope I've convinced you to look into the Batman animated movies. More often than not, they have wonderful casts and the films are very exciting and fun to watch. Check them out and let me know what you think! 

Till Next Time!

JJ - The Comic Junkie!