The ax of Zaslav falls again! The latest victim is the planned HBO Max cartoon Batman: Caped Crusader which brought Bruce Timm of Batman: The Animated Series fame back for a new program, with J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves (The Batman) also attached. After the success of The Batman, it’s shocking to imagine another Bat-project from Reeves getting the ax, but Warner Bros.’ new owner, Discovery is serious about cutting costs after HBO Max and WB, in general, have been spending recklessly over the past few years (see: Zack Snyder’s Justice League) and seen little to justify the investments.
Batman: Caped Crusader is dead at HBO Max, but reportedly it will be shopped around to possibly find a new outlet. It now begs the question as to the safety of live-action The Batman spinoffs The Penguin and Arkham Asylum, two projects I would have figured would be guaranteed following the success of The Batman, which made $770.8 million at the global box office. Stay tuned for news about those projects should any emerge.
Other DC Projects That Got The Zaslav Ax
Batman: Caped Crusader was just one of six animated projects that HBO Max has scrapped. The others included Merry Little Batman (a family comedy), The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Toons Movie, Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Toons Musical, Did I Do That to the Holidays: A Steve Urkel Story, and The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie (working title). Like Batman: Caped Crusader, these projects will also be shopped around.
Batman: Caped Crusader was ordered by HBO Max straight-to-series just over a year ago, in May 2021.
Among the other DC-related properties that HBO Max has canned in the past few months are the Batgirl, Supergirl, and Wonder Twins movies, and the animated anthology Strange Tales Word also recently emerged that Young Justice will not be back for a fifth season. Fans should start worrying about other shows that Discovery may not see as being real draws to the streaming service like Harley Quinn (and its announced Kite Man spinoff), Doom Patrol, and Titans.
Were you looking forward to Batman: Caped Crusader? What other outlet would you like to see pick it up?
