DC’s live-action library is a mixed bag, and the state of the DCU is a bit chaotic at the moment, if it is just starting to pull itself together. We have The Flash, Aquaman, The Lost Kingdom, and potentially a Wonder Woman threequel coming up. However, after some major reorganizing inside the new DC studios, Batgirl getting canceled, and Ezra Miller’s ongoing controversy, the live-action film franchise is in a state of repair, to say the least. But all DC-related media isn’t in disarray.
DC animated movies have been the comic book movies‘ saving grace. From the days of the early superhero voice acting duo of Tim Daly and the late Kevin Conroy to recent productions like Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, DC’s direct-to-streaming/DVD catalog almost makes up for the shortcomings of their live-action counterparts. They’re not slowing down with the releases in this new phase of canon known as the “Tomorrowverse.” There’s a full schedule of new animated DC movies set to stream soon. Here’s a guide to animated adventures coming to your flat screen in 2022 and 2023.
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Updated November 2022 by Ted Bajer: This article has been updated with more information on what’s coming from DC next year!
Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham (TBA 2023)
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Based on a three-part miniseries from DC Comics published in 2000, The Doom That Came to Gotham touches on gothic and Lovecraftian horror themes. It is an entry in the excellent DC Elseworlds label that sees characters set in alternate timelines and realities. Elseworlds brought us classics such as Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, Superman: Red Son, and Batman/Marvel crossover team-ups with Daredevil and Spider-Man.
Related: Why Multiple Batman Continuities Is Good for DC
This particular title revolves around a Batman prowling the streets of 1928 Gotham pitted against a mystical and supernatural enemy, as well as some staple villains. Also appearing in the book are Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, Ra’s al Ghul, and Green Arrow. DC offers a daunting description of the comic:
“… A terrible thing from beyond space and time has awakened. The Lurker on the Threshold has called its faithful servants-immortal sorcerers, reptile men, beings of eldritch cold and fungal horror-to feed our world into its gaping maw. If the Batman hopes to end the horror, how terrible must Bruce Wayne become?”
So we’re basically getting a Batman horror film. Sign us up! The details of the film have yet to be released, but the setting and themes are perfect for a dark and brooding animated Batman story. The film is set to release sometime in 2023.
The Legion of Super-Heroes (TBA 2023)
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Running from 2006-2008 over a two-season span, The Legion of Superheroes animated series revolved around a group of teenage heroes sent back in time from the 31st century. The series was well-received despite its short run, so DC has dusted off the concept for an as-yet unaired HBO Max series and now a new animated feature, The Legion of Super-Heroes.
The film will follow Kara, AKA Supergirl (voiced by Meg Donnelly), as she deals with the devastating loss of Krypton. Her cousin, Superman (Darren Criss), suggests that they leave their spacetime in order to attend the Legion Academy in the 31st century. There Supergirl makes new friends but must also deal with powerful enemies, e.g., Brainiac 5 (Harry Shum Jr.). If that weren’t enough, a secret society called the Dark Circle is attempting to capture some powerful weapon kept in the Academy’s vault.
The recently revealed voice cast also has stars like Jensen Ackles as Batman, Matt Bomer as The Flash, Jennifer Hale as Alura, Yuri Lowenthal as Mon-El, Gideon Adlon as Phantom Girl, Robbie Daymond as TimberWolf and Brainiac 4, Zeno Robinson as Invisible Kid and Brainiac 3, Ben Diskin as Arm Falls off Boy and Brainiac 2, Victoria Grace as Shadow Lass, Ely Henry as Bouncing Boy, Eric Lopez as Cosmic Boy and Chemical King, Darin De Paul as Brainiac and Solomon Grundy, and Daisy Lightfoot as Triplicate Girl. The film will be directed by Jeff Wamester and written by Josie Campbell. It’s set to come out in early 2023.
Justice League: Warworld (TBA 2023)
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
This will be the first Justice League story in the DCAU’s interconnected canon “Tomorrowverse.” The previous run started with the famous event, The Flashpoint Paradox, and ended with the Apokolips War. It left the universe scarred, but this series of narratives feel a lot fresher and ready for action. This new League will take on their first mutual enemy in Justice League: Warworld, which will be released in 2023. The main players have already been introduced in other projects. Fans will recall that the Justice League in Green Lantern: Beware My Power had both Martian Manhunter and Green Arrow.
Related: What Henry Cavill Leaving The Witcher Means for DCU’s Superman
The only hint we have for a potential story is the comic namesake. Warworld was a title that saw the Justice League clash with big bad Mogul over his control of a massive satellite called Warworld. This craft was fitted with enough weaponry to get on the League’s radar, prompting the showdown between the two factions. Will the film base its script on this story? There isn’t much info out there on this Tomorrowverse entry aside from its 2023 release, so check back with us for more as it comes in.
RWBY/Justice League (TBA 2023)
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
DC is no stranger to creative team-ups and crossovers. They’ve paired up with Marvel, Dark Horse, and others to bring us everything from Marvel Vs. DC to Batman Vs. Predator 1-3. Batman even took on the Xenomorphs in Batman Vs. Alien. Not to mention the time The Dark Knight caved in Judge Dredd’s face on the page.
In the spirit of colliding universes, we’re set to get an RWBY/Justice League animated film. The young huntress trainees of RWBY have already met up with the League in an astounding comic book series, and now the alliance will be brought to streaming platforms in 2023. RWBY’s hit web series will lend its talents to the film, with director Kerry Shawcross heading up the writing team, along with Eddy Rivas, Miles Luna, and Kiersi Burkhart. The talent from popular online entertainment company Rooster Teeth will be allying with Warner Bros. Animation to create their first-ever feature-length RWBY production.
Batman Azteca: Choque De Imperios (TBA 2023)
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
This Batman film will be set in an alternate history in which a young Aztec boy must survive after his father, the leader of his village, is murdered by Spanish Conquistadores. In a mode similar to Batman Ninja, you can expect this film to have everything you love about a Batman story but told through the voice of an ancient Aztec tribal shaman.
When the boy, Yohualli Coatl, flees his village, he runs to Tenochtitlan to warn King Moctezuma and his high priest Yoka of the imminent danger. Once arrives, he uses the temple of Tzinacan, the bat god, as a lair, and there he trains himself and constructs new weaponry that will allow him to avenge his father and repel the Spanish invaders.
The film stars Alvaro Morte as Hernan Cortes, Omar Chaparro as Yoka, and Horacio Garcia Rojas as Yohualli. It is being directed by Juan Jose Meza-Leon and written by him and Alfredo Mendoza. No release date has been announced for the film yet, but it is expected sometime in 2023.
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