With Teen Titans finally set to get the big screen treatment, it’s only right to assume that the upcoming film will take a page out of the 2003 show. Released during the peak of the DCAU on Cartoon Network, Teen Titans would eventually transcend the medium, becoming the best-animated show to ever hit the network.
And while fans will hope the upcoming live-action adaptation will take major inspiration from the show, its influences shouldn’t be limited to this adaptation alone. Considering the animation department is set to be a major driving force for the new universe, James Gunn and co. have the perfect template in Teen Titans to push the medium to new heights.
DCU Should Take a Page Out of Teen Titans’ Production
Since its debut in 2003, Teen Titans has remained one of the best parts of the DCAU, which is saying a lot. And it’s safe to say the upcoming live-action film, which is currently being penned by Ana Nogueira, will take a page out of the show’s book. But the show’s impact shouldn’t be limited to the Teen Titan movie alone, as the bond between the crew and cast in the show should be the template for DCU’s animation department moving forward.
One of the things that made the animated show such a huge hit, excluding its exotic villains and world-threatening dangers, was the chemistry between the team of teens. And unsurprisingly, it was all natural, as beyond their characters, everyone was fond of each other and loved working together, which only added to the show’s greatness.
Hynden Walch, known for voicing Starfire, told Toon Zone News (via Looper):
“We all just LOVED each other, the producers, the crew, the cast. Everybody was just nuts about each other and had so much fun … It was SO much love in that room all the time, and I think you can tell from watching the show.”
Animator Jon Suzuki also shared a similar sentiment while speaking with Animation Insider, stating:
“It was a tight knit special group. Great chemistry — something that is tough to come by.”
Considering that characters often shift mediums in the DCU, whose first project will be Creature Commandos, following in Teen Titans‘ footsteps seems the ultimate route to success.
James Gunn on why Creatures Commandos was chosen to kickstart the DCU
While Superman is set to be the first major project to be released under the new regime, the animated show Creatures Commandos, written by James Gunn, will kickstart the new DCU. When asked why this was chosen to be the first release, Gunn had a simple explanation, stating the seven-episode series was already written and ready to go.
“It was written and ready to go, we thought it worked well as an apéritif before the meal of SL.”
Keeping in mind that Gunn is known for maintaining a family-type atmosphere on set, it’s reasonable to hope the cast and crew will keep getting along under the new regime, similar to in Teen Titans.
Teen Titans is available to stream on Max.