Long before TV series and movies were available for us to binge-watch on streaming platforms, many of us would be glued to our TV screens, eagerly waiting for the next episode of our favorite cartoons. Back in that day, for fans of the superhero world and DC, Batman Beyond proved to be an exceptional piece of work, whose futuristic depiction of Gotham City made it an absolute gem.
So for years, fans of the beloved series have longed for a live-action project, only to be left disappointed year after year. But their wish might finally be fulfilled thanks to one upcoming fan film, Batman Beyond: Year One, starring Titans star Ryan Potter as Terry McGinnis.
Batman Beyond: Year One— A Fan Film Based on the 1999 Animated Series
The 1999 animated series Batman Beyond is a beloved gem in the DC universe, known best for its futuristic take on the Batman mythos set in a cyberpunk Gotham City. A series serving as a sequel to both Batman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures, it is set decades after Bruce Wayne retires from his duty as the Caped Crusader.
And Lumis Entertainment, basically a team of fans, is bringing the series to live action through a fan film called Batman Beyond: Year One. A short film, it is written and directed by Micahel Yu, and has been a passion project of his for quite some while now. Furthermore, as per their YouTube video introducing the film, it has employed the talents of seasoned experts who have worked on projects like John Wick, Bullet Train, Black Monday, Iron Man 2, Last Man Down, and more.
Furthermore, the film stars Titans star Ryan Potter as Terry McGinnis, Isabelle Hahn as Melanie Walker, martial arts expert D.Y. Sao as Flush Gang Henchman, and many more (via IMDb). Aside from portraying Beast Boy in Titans, Potter has been in several movies and series like Stuck, Baymax!, and the animated series Supah Ninjas. While Hahn was last seen in the short film Blu Forest, Sao has starred in movies like Everything, Everywhere All at Once as well as trained and coached Simu Liu for Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Why Batman Beyond: Year One Seems Like a Promising Film
Batman Beyond is a series that is close to the hearts of several DC fans and given its popularity, a fan-made film is our best shot at getting the most faithful adaptation. Having captivated fans with its sleek and high-tech aesthetic, the animated classic is being adapted into a live-action film under the guidance of experienced experts, making Batman Beyond: Year One all the more promising.
Given how Terry McGinnis is to be portrayed by Ryan Potter, an actor who is already familiar with the DC mythos, it has also caught the attention of fans. Furthermore, with the expertise of D. Y. Sao, who trained Simu Liu for his Marvel debut, the action scenes in the upcoming fan flick promise to capture the essence of the original cartoon.
Since fan films come from a place of pure passion, without the hindrance of big studios calling the shots, Batman Beyond: Year One has a unique and added edge. From a team filled with devoted and experienced professionals, the flick has been in post-production for quite a while. It also recently released its final trailer on YouTube, garnering widespread praise from fans in the comments.
So as we wait for more details about the film, including its release date and its channel of release, so far it is safe to say that Batman Beyond: Year One seems like the perfect vehicle to explore the futuristic Gotham landscape and the legacy of the Dark Knight in a way that a larger studio might shy away from.
