Bruce Timm Hated The Network's Original Pitch For Batman Beyond

"Batman: The Animated Series" debuted in 1992, and while the series was clearly influenced by the German Expressionism-meets-noir gangster style of Tim Burton's blockbuster films, it quickly found its own. voice. The series featured Bruce Wayne (voiced by the late Kevin Conroy) donning the Batman costume and battling some of his most iconic villains, with classic melodramatic stories and animation that, especially for television in the 1990s , were ahead of the curve with their striking designs and smooth action.

The series was so successful that several spin-offs were eventually released, including 'Superman: The Animated Series', 'Justice League' and 'Static Shock'. But one of the boldest expansions to "Batman: The Animated Series" was a futuristic take on the show, set in the distant year of 2019 (ahem), where advanced technology has completely transformed Gotham City into a world dystopian not quite different. "Blade Runner."

"Batman Beyond" saw the return of Bruce Wayne, but as a retired crime fighter who passes his role to a teenage hero named Terry McGinnis. Since Terry doesn't have the luxury of spending years traveling the world and learning the original Batman skills, Wayne equips Terry with advanced armor that gives him extraordinary abilities, including power of flight, and he advises the rookie superhero of Batcave security.

"Batman Beyond" may not have been as big a hit as "Batman: The Animated Series", but the series was well received. The show ran for 52 episodes over three seasons and spawned the acclaimed movie "Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker" in 2000, as well as a short-lived animated spin-off series called "The Zeta Project". /p>

But despite all the success, at first Bruce Timm just wasn't interested.