Holy 60's throwback, Batman! Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders is heading to Blu-ray and DVD this fall, and it's bringing with it a heavy dose of nostalgia for the original 1966 TV show that's still beloved by fans young and old. But don't go in thinking this is going to be a simple by-the-numbers translation of the classic, hokey style of that show into the DC Animated Universe, as Burt Ward is promising some surprises in store for those fans who run deep with the Dynamic Duo and their colorful past.
Ward was on hand for an interview with 13th Dimension, and Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders had a moment to shine during the talks that ensued. Not only is Burt Ward excited about reprising his role as Robin to Adam West's Batman, but he also has a feeling that the Batman '66 inspired animated feature with surprise fans of the source material. Ward promised the following major difference between Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders and a typical episode of the 60's show:
This movie turns the whole Batman concept on its head --- and that is actually accurate. So, what you're expecting of Batman and the villains is not gonna be what happens. It's going to be different. And I think we're going to have an audience that is gonna be shocked as well as entertained. Because this is 'Wow.'
After that juicy Bat-Quote landed onto the internet, it started a frenzy of thought and speculation. How could the Batman and Robin of the 1960's ever be shocking to the audience that grew up on their high-color adventures? All it took was another viewing of the official trailer to Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders and we kind of had a feeling as to how the new film will be different. If we're correct in our assumption, despite the heroes and villains remaining rather tongue-in-cheek in their nature, the battles look more real and high stakes than they ever were in 1966.
Including slightly more serious combat situations, as well as the "suggestive material and rude humor" promised by the trailer above, are the only factors we could think of that would turn Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders into a film so shocking, the audience won't know what to expect. Of course, this is all speculation, and considering that Burt Ward is extremely reticent to mention any specific elements that'll land a solid "BIFF!" on the audience's collective chin, our only hope of finding out the truth will more than likely be to watch the film ourselves.
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders transports audiences back to that old Bat-Time, that old Bat-Channel, on November 1st.
