I want to tell you a story of something that recently IMPACTed my life. And by impacted I mean slapped me in the face with amazing!

I just found out that there is a new animated Batman film in the works and the news gets better from there.  The name of the film slated for release sometime this year (maybe in time for San Diego Comic Con?) is Batman:Under the Red Hood or Batman: Under the Hood depending on who you ask.  At any rate it tells the story of the Red Hood as told by Judd Winick in the comics starting with Batman issue #635.  Lucky for us Winick is also writing the script for what is shaping up to be an instant classic.  Not only do we have a comic favorite telling the story but animation legend Bruce Timm, probably best known for co-creating Batman: The Animated Series, is signed on as executive producer! Also announced is director Brandon Vietti who was a director of Superman: Doomsday.

I know what you’re thinking, your mind is blown and there is nothing you can imagine reading next to make this news better.  Well, it gets better. The announced cast for this adaptation is off the charts awesome. Rundown is as follows:

Batman - Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek)

• Joker - John DiMaggio (Futurama)
• Ra’s Al Ghul - Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter)
• Red Hood - Jensen Ackles (Supernatural)

AND THEN the part that made me call Simon is hysterics

• Nightwing - Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)

If you’ve picked up very few things about me during my time on this site you’re likely aware that Nightwing is probably my second favorite comic book character of all time (nobody tops Barbara Gordon).  What you might not know is Neil Patrick Harris is probably my second favorite person of all time.  I haven’t been this excited about voice casting since Mark Hamill was the Joker!

The Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths DVD being released on February 23rd is rumored to have a preview of Batman: Under the Hood.

We’ll be sure to keep you guys up to date with a release date and any other announcements so check back, until then GET EXCITED people, I know I am.

Dana Shukartsi
Dana@comicimpact.com