Even as DC has found difficulty in establishing a grand-scale live-action cinematic universe, the comic publisher has had great success in the animation department. Over the years, the company released many critically acclaimed animated films including Batman: Under the Redhood and Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox.
After establishing a connected universe inspired by the New 52 comic line, the studio recently rebooted its animated universe with influences from the more recent Rebirth era of the comics. However, DC never let the goal of an interconnected world prevent it from telling a good story, having produced many standalone ventures over the years.
Earlier in the year, an animated adaptation was announced for Netherrealm Studios' popular Injustice game franchise which has now spawned two fighting games and multiple spin-off comic series.
The twisted story takes place on an alternate Earth in which Superman was tricked into killing Lois Lane by the Joker, leading him to take control of the world. Meanwhile, Batman and a team of allies lead a resistance against a crazed Man of Steel.
After a long wait, the first look at the Injustice animated movie has been released, revealing a look at the new designs for some of the film's leading heroes.
THE FIRST LOOK AT DC'S INJUSTICE MOVIE
The Hollywood Reporter provided the first official look at the upcoming Injustice movie, coming to home entertainment this fall under the DC Animated Movie banner.
In the official screenshot from the animated project, fans are treated to a look at the new designs for Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman:
The animated release will be inspired by Netherrealm Studios' Injustice: Gods Among Us 2013 video game and Tom Taylor's Injustice Gods Among Us: Year One prequel comic series.
Justice League Dark director Matt Peters will helm the film with the script written by Batman: Hush's Ernie Altbacker. Injustice will be produced by Rick Morales and Jim Krieg, with Sam Register set to executive produce.
The DC video game adaptation will star:
- Justin Hartley as Superman
- Anson Mount as Batman
- Laura Bailey as Lois Lane and Rama Kushna
- Zach Callison as Damian and Jimmy Olsen
- Brian T. Delaney as Green Lantern
- Brandon Michael Hall as Cyborg
- Edwin Hodge as Mr. Terrific and Killer Croc
- Oliver Hudson as Plastic Man
- Gillian Jacobs as Harley Quinn
- Yuri Lowenthal as Mirror Master, Flash and Shazam
- Derek Phillips as Nightwing and Aquaman
- Kevin Pollak as Joker and Jonathan Kent
- Anika Noni Rose as Catwoman
- Reid Scott as Green Arrow and Victor Zsasz
- Faran Tahir as Ra’s al Ghul
- Fred Tatasciore as Captain Atom
- Janet Varney as Wonder Woman
- Andrew Morgado as Mirror Master Soldier.
DC'S DARKEST ANIMATED VENTURE IN YEARS
Over the years, DC has used its animated platform to tell some grim, dark, and bloody stories that would never see the light of day on the big screen. Even amongst these, Injustice may be one of its grimmest Elseworlds stories in years as it displays a truly dark and twisted take on the Man of Steel.
Despite having started off as a basis to have DC's biggest heroes face-off against each other in the fighting game, the story expanded greatly over the years to become an iconic one loved by many fans.
Between two hugely successful video game releases and multiple comic series, DC has a lot of Injustice-centric material to work off, potentially opening the doors for a sequel if the animated release proves to be a hit.
Tom Taylor's Injustice Gods Among Us: Year One comic series takes place several years prior to the first game as Batman's Insurgency takes on Superman's villainous Justice League. Based on the time difference, it's hard to imagine how these aspects may tie into the film unless the studio opts to make some changes to the universe's timeline.
With two games and multiple comic runs of material within the Injustice universe, it could be argued that an animated series would have been a more fitting format to adapt the chilling story in. To fully flesh out the many characters and complications of the storyline, DC will have to either continue the story into a franchise or cut some plot lines.
DC's animated ventures tend to run for around 80 to 90 minutes, so Injustice has an incredibly expansive cast of characters to fit into such a short running time. Interestingly, the list includes some characters who only featured in the sequel and later comic runs, potentially indicating DC will be playing fast and loose with the source material.
Injustice is set to release exclusively on home entertainment platforms this fall.
