Batman Will Be Played By Ethan Hawke In A New Animated Series
Before Sunset and Moon Knight star Ethan Hawke will voice Batman in Batwheels, an upcoming animated series aimed at preschool-aged children that will feature a cast of human heroes (including Batman, Duke Thomas, and Cassandra Cain) and five anthropomorphized Bat-vehicles, as well as a sentient Bat-computer and a robot automotive service technician. It’s DC’s first entry into the preschool animation industry, where Marvel has had a strong presence in recent years with series like Marvel Super Hero Adventures and Spidey and His Amazing Friends. Of course, considering DC’s lengthy history of animation, it’s worth noting that this is ostensibly their first attempt at the preschool market, despite the fact that they have boldly all-ages productions like DC Super Hero Girls and even the legendary Super Friends in their portfolio. The entire voice cast was unveiled today at a special virtual event honouring the debut of Cartoonito, WarnerMedia Kids & Family’s new preschool programming block accessible on HBO Max and Cartoon Network. While Hawke will play Batman, the series will be led by “Bam” (the Batmobile), who will be voiced by Cobra Kai’s Jacob Bertrand. The following is how WarnerMedia Kids & Family describes it, according to the official synopsis:
“They are a group of amazing crimefighters who have come together to battle evil, combat crime, and clean up Gotham City’s streets. They aren’t…well, they aren’t Batman and Robin. The Batwheels are a fantastic collection of sentient super-powered crime-fighting cars who protect Gotham City with Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and a slew of other DC Super Heroes.” Our heroes are essentially children with little to no life experience, having been manufactured by the Batcomputer. The Batwheels – Bibi (The Batgirl Cycle), Redbird (Robin’s Sports Car), and Bam (The Batmobile) are led by Bam (The Batmobile). The Batwing and Buff (The Bat Truck) must deal with the growing pains of being a newly formed super team as well as the developing pains of being a youngster. This realistic and aspirational series will follow the path of this dynamic team as they amaze and excite kids with their heroic exploits while also teaching them the importance of self-confidence, friendship, and cooperation.” The series has a huge main cast, with seven AI characters and three humans currently confirmed, with more to follow. The whole set of character breakdowns may be seen below:
Bam-the Batmobile and commander of the Batwheels squad-is played by Jacob Bertrand (Cobra Kai). Bam, like his idol Batman, has a strong sense of justice and strives to lead the squad, even though he isn’t always sure he’s up to the role. Finally, the other Batwheels realise they can rely on him as a wonderful comrade and a friend. Jack Kingsrud of Zero Gravity Management, Kevin Hussey of ICM, and Chad Christopher of Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher represent Jacob Bertrand. Redbird, Robin’s zippy sports vehicle, is played by Jordan Reed (Chuggington). “Red” is the team’s younger brother, constantly eager to show himself a suitable sidekick to Bam, yet he can hold his own on a mission. He’s animated and curious, asking a lot of questions like a young detective. Madigan Kacmar (Chuggington) plays the role of Bibi, Batgirl’s courageous and daring motorbike. She is the quickest of the Batwheels, but also the tiniest, so she has a propensity for being impetuous and leaping into action without thinking. Bonnie Shum of sky Bloom of Stewart Talent Agency represents Madigan Kacmar.
Noah Bentley (Elliott from Earth) as Buff: This Bat-styled monster truck is the team’s muscle, capable of ramming through or running over any barrier in its way, but he’s also the team’s heart-a compassionate giant who is unaware of his own power. CESD represents Noah Bentley. Batwing is named after Batman’s supersonic jet plane, “Wing,” which is the team’s most sophisticated and confident member. Lilimar is represented by the agencies CESD and LINK. Kimberly D. Brooks (DC Super Hero Girls) as The Batcomputer: She is the team’s supervisor, dispatcher, and trainer, but she is also their mother figure. She must be there to console them and even hold their mechanical hands when necessary, in addition to instructing and guiding them. Cynthia McLean of SBV Talent represents Kimberly D. Brooks.
Ethan Hawke (The Good Lord Bird) stars as Batman, Gotham City’s finest defender, who keeps the streets safe from all dangers. Despite the fact that Batman does not speak directly with the Batwheels, he serves as a father figure to them. While fighting him, they are completely desperate for his favor and trust. CAA, MGMT Entertainment, and ID represent Ethan Hawke. AJ Hudson (The Good Place) plays Duke Thomas/Robin, the Boy Wonder who enjoys immersing himself in a good detective mystery while attempting to establish himself alongside Batman. Abbie Waters of Osbrink Agency and Tanesia Tramell of Eleven 7 Artist Management represent AJ Hudson. Cassandra Cain (Nancy Drew) as Batgirl-The first Asian-American Batgirl, as introduced in the comics. Cassandra is the Bat’s “big family sister,” a daredevil with a knack for technology.She enjoys riding her motorbike around the streets of Gotham City and likes to be in the thick of the action. Leah Lewis is represented by Commercial Talent Agency, Paradigm, Strong Management, Morris, Yorn, Barnes, Levine, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner & Gellman, and Morris, Yorn, Barnes, Levine, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner & Gellman.
According to the early concept art, Duke and Cassandra will be dressed in variations of the most well-known current Robin and Batgirl outfits, rather than the unique appearances they wore when they performed those roles in the comics. The animated series Batwheels will premiere on Cartoon Network and HBO Max. There is no official release date announced at this time. Warner Bros. Animation is in charge of the production of Batwheels. The executive producer is Sam Register (Looney Tunes Cartoons). Michael G. Stern (Doc McStuffins) is the co-executive producer, Simon J. Smith (Baymax Dreams) is the supervising producer, and Steven Fink of Bang Zoom Ltd. is the producer.
Source: Comicbook
