DC Entertainment Announces New Animated Movies And Shorts Based On BATMAN UNLIMITED And SUPER FRIENDS Toylines

Last year, promo art for a mysterious project called Batman Unlimited surfaced online, and it seemed to be based on Mattel’s toyline of the same name. It was later reported that the project is an animated direct-to-video film. And now, it turns out Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment have some interesting plans for producing animated tie-ins to not only this toyline, but another successful one.

It has been announced, via Variety, that two animated movies based on Batman Unlimited will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital HD in 2015. The first, titled Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts, is set to hit stores on May 12th. The film will see the Dark Knight team up with The Flash, Green Arrow, Nightwing and Red Robin in a battle against the Penguin and cyber animals. A sequel will be released in the second half of the year. Additionally, there will be 22 two-minute shorts based on Batman Unlimited, which will be available for free viewing on various digital platforms. A companion app will also be released, allowing fans to access content.

Another toyline that will receive animated tie-ins is DC Super Friends, a line of playsets and action figures produced by Imaginext. Debuting this spring, there will be 15 three-minute animated shorts, as well as a companion app. New toys in both lines will be distributed to accompany the animations’ launches. Additionally, there will be costumes, role-playing gear and other licensed products rolling out this year. There are no plot details for DC Super Friends right now, but the following promo image suggests that we will see the New 52 Justice League lineup.

DC Entertainment president Diane Nelson had this to say on the announcement. “We are thrilled to be working with our Warner Bros., Mattel and Fisher-Price colleagues to create new Batman and DC Super Friends kids’ content. These new animated projects will offer all new Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman adventures that seamlessly jump from toybox to screen.” Mattel Toy Box Senior VP and General Manager Doug Wadleigh adds, “Our longstanding collaboration with WBCP has given Mattel the opportunity to engage fans of all ages with the very best in DC Comics Super Hero play. It is a true compliment that our evergreen DC Comics toy lines have inspired a whole new universe of storytelling that will dramatically expand kids’ imaginative play with their favorite super heroes.”

Are you looking forward to watching the Batman Unlimited and DC Super Friends movies and shorts?