Summary
Batman’s next animated TV outing,Batman: Caped Crusader, can bring newfound popularity to a lesser-known DC villain who nearly appeared in a live-action film.Caped Crusaderwill have Bruce Timm ofBatman: The Animated Seriesfame and Matt Reeves, the director of 2022’sThe Batman, as producers in a series set in the 1940s, taking inspiration from the grim and gritty crime dramas of Batman’s early Golden Age comic adventures. One particular villain teased in aCaped Crusadertrailer was set to be the antagonist of thecanceled DC Extended Universe filmBatgirl.
Caped Crusaderwill depict Batman at an early point in his crime-fighting career. Batman will be at odds with Gotham’s police force almost as often as he will be fighting its criminals and he seemingly lacks allies other than Alfred. Unsurprisingly,some of Batman’s most iconic foes from the comics will appear inCaped Crusader, including Two-Face, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Penguin.The series will also include more obscureBatmanvillains, such as Onomatopoeia, Clayface (styled after his Golden Age comic appearances), and Firefly.
Batman: Caped Crusader Cast & DC Characters Guide
Batman: Caped Crusader is set to feature an extraordinary and expansive cast of talented actors to bring the animated Gotham City to life.
Batman: Caped Crusader Includes DC Villain Firefly
Firefly is a particularly noteworthy villain with a rich history in theBatmancomics.Firefly – also known as Garfield Lynns – is a high-tech arsonisttypically depicted as a pyromaniac. Lynns lacks superpowers, but he is an expert in explosives, incendiary weapons, and pyrotechnics, using a variety of high-tech incendiary devices and an armored suit, equipped with a jetpack. While Lynns is the most famous user of the Firefly moniker, Ted Carson and Bridget Pike have also used the title.
The Bridgit Pike incarnation of Firefly was created for theGothamTV series and eventually made her way into DC’s comics.
Despite his relative obscurity,Firefly has appeared in several notableBatmanadaptations. This includes animated shows likeThe New Batman Adventuresand 2004’sThe Batman, as well as video games likeBatman: Arkham OriginsandBatman: Arkham Knight. Firefly will return to the realm of animation inCaped Crusader, with a Golden Age-style look to his costume and gear (Firefly did not appear in Golden AgeBatmancomics) and wrist-mounted flamethrowers. Firefly’s role in the grander narrative ofCaped Crusaderhas yet to be revealed.
Brendan Fraser Was Supposed To Play Firefly In DC’s Canceled Batgirl
In the later years of the DCEU,The Flashwas at one point set to meld the Tim BurtonBatmanuniverse with its own timeline, replacing Ben Affleck’s Batman with Michael Keaton’s version. This new era of the DCEU was nearly shown in the filmBatgirl, which would have introduced Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon and pitted her againstthe Ted Carson iteration of Firefly,played by Brendan Fraser. The film was, ultimately, canceled, butBatman: Caped Crusadermay compensate for this in one way by showing viewers how threatening and compelling Firefly is as a supervillain.
Batman: Caped Crusader
Cast
Wealthy socialite Bruce Wayne, transformed by tragedy, takes on the mantle of Batman to combat the rampant corruption and crime in Gotham City. His vigilante actions attract both allies within the GCPD and City Hall and deadly adversaries, leading to unforeseen consequences. The series delves into the noir roots of Batman, exploring the psychological depths of Gotham’s inhabitants.
