Press: “What made this such a delicious role for you to play?”
Shatner: “It was delicious wasn’t it? That’s a great word for it. Masticate on that one for a bit.”
As the sequel to the 2016 hit animated film Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, the all-new Batman vs. Two-Face finds Batman and Robin back in classic 1960s action, protecting Gotham City from some of the most nefarious villains in comics history. But when the mutilated master of multiplicity, Two-Face, begins staging a daring crime wave across Gotham, the Caped Crusaders must work double-time to discover his mysterious secret identity before they can halt his evil-doing – all the while combating the likes of Catwoman, Joker, Riddler, Penguin, Bookworm, Hugo Strange and King Tut!
The late Adam West leads the star-studded cast in his final performance as Batman. The beloved actor delivers an inspired turn opposite fellow pop culture icon William Shatner (Star Trek) as the criminally conflicted Harvey Dent/Two-Face. This is only the second production of any kind to feature the two titans of the fanboy realm together. West and Shatner first teamed in the 1963 “Alexander The Great” television series that never made it past the pilot.
On the final day of NYCC 2017, I had the pleasure of interviewing another hero of mine William Shatner about his debut voicing DC villain Two Face. It being kids day my, son accompanied me and also a huge trekkie & DC Comics Geek, precociously asks Mr. Shatner’s to autograph his Batman mask. He told him “Beat it kid!” Which tickled everyone! Mr. Shatner was as gracious and as charming as you imagine he’d be!
Interestingly, when asked about what the draw was to the role of Harvey Dent / Two Face he sighted the two competing voices in our own heads. “Do I eat this candy? Do I not?” He sighted the Nevada tragedy, as an example of looking at the duality of people. The public and private faces we all have. –
“What was going on in the head of [ Las Vegas Shooter] ? Here you had a mild mannered guy. Very much a Harvey Dent character. All of a sudden he’s doing one of the most incredibly.., I hate to use the word evil because I don’t know that I believe that there is good and evil, But this man who sought to terrorize and kill and maim as many people as possible knowing in the end he was going to die in the end, by the hand of the law or his own hand.
What vicious monstrous thing was going on in his head? And how you might relate that to a Harvey Dent character?”
He went in depth on his method of achieving his excellent, organic performance of both Harvey Dent and Two Face. His theory on why Comic Book stories are so popular today and a few surprise announcements of comics he’s developing!
A terrific interview you must see!
The cast also boasts two more pop culture icons of the 1960s. Burt Ward is back for more “holy” fun as the Boy Wonder himself, Robin, and Tony Award winner Julie Newmar reprises her role as the fiendish feline, Catwoman.
The voice cast includes Jeff Bergman (Joker, Bookworm, Desmond Dumas), Sirena Irwin (Dr. Quinzel), Thomas Lennon (Chief O’Hara), Lee Meriwether (Lucilee Diamond), William Salyers (Penguin), Lynne Marie Stewart (Aunt Harriet), Jim Ward (Hugo Strange, Commissioner Gordon), Steven Weber (Alfred, Two-Face henchmen) and Wally Wingert (Riddler, King Tut).
The core Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders filmmaking team reprises their roles for Batman vs. Two-Face. Rick Morales (LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Cosmic Clash) directs from a script by Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!) and James Tucker (Teen Titans: The Judas Contract). Tucker and Jelenic and also Supervising Producer and Producer, respectively. Sam Register is Executive Producer. Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan are Executive Producers.
“Batman vs. Two-Face is a must-have for all Batman fans featuring a cavalcade of his foes, and an amazing cast including two giants of pop culture, Adam West and William Shatner,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is excited to bring these beloved characters to animated life, and proud to have been associated with an actor as impressive, gracious and entertaining as Adam West. We salute his extensive contributions to the legacy of the character, and we are greatly appreciative of his cooperation and support in bringing this animated film to fruition. He will be greatly missed.”
Special Features for Batman vs. Two-Face include:
• “The Wonderful World of Burt Ward” (featurette) – Spotlighting Burt Ward’s life away from acting – particularly his many benevolent activities, and his lifelong devotion to the health and welfare of dogs.
• Adam West Tribute Panel/2017 Comic-Con International 2017 – At the 2017 Comic-Con International in San Diego, a panel celebrated the life and times of the late Adam West, the legendary “Bright Knight.” Fans laughed, cried and cheered as actress Lee Meriwether (Catwoman from the 1966 Batman movie), director/writer/actor Kevin Smith, actor/radio personality Ralph Garman, producer James Tucker and moderator Gary Miereanu captivated the audience with anecdotes and tales about Adam West.
• Actors Burt Ward and Julie Newmar discussing various aspects of their lives, ambitions and inspirations.
I feature a review of the Blu-Ray in an upcoming All Things Geek Holiday Gift Guide, but this is a no brainer for Shatner’s incredible debut DC Animated performance and Adam Wests curtain call.
Art Credit- Author / Warner Bros.