“To what extent can you throw a person away?” – Dr. Holly Schaeffer-Raymond on Darth Maul.
Maul – Shadow Lord, the latest Star Wars animated series on Disney+ is stunning. It hits topics like raising kids amidst fascism, cycles of abuse, and it’s even got Weird Little Guys. Resident Star Wars expert Holly Schaeffer-Raymond returns to the podcast. She’s a writer and professor at Temple University. She’s the author of Mall is Lost (2018) and Maul is Lost (2023) and featured in the Lambda nominated We Want It All: An Anthology of Radical Trans Poetic.
Warner Bros. Animation is resurrecting tormented vampire Barnabas Collins as it is currently in development on an adult animated series based on the classic gothic sensation Dark Shadows.
Created by Dan Curtis and celebrating its 60th anniversary this summer, Dark Shadows starred TV’s original anti-hero and the father of the modern-day vampire, Barnabas Collins, a vampire with a conscience.
The project was announced during a Studio Focus panel at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival where Warner Bros. Animation’s Peter Girardi (Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming) and Shaleen Desai (Senior Vice President, Adult Series) previewed the studios’ current adult animation slate.
The Executive Producer and Showrunner for the show is Lisa Holdsworth while Executive Producers include Cathy Curtis, Tracy Curtis, Eric Homan, Kevin Kolde, and Fred Seibert.
DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation have unveiled the next wave of animated projects joining their rapidly growing slate during a joint presentation, “World’s Finest Animation: DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation Showcase,” at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The presentation featured Peter Safran (Co‑Chairman and Co‑CEO, DC Studios) and Sam Register (President, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, and Hanna‑Barbera Studios Europe), alongside Warner Bros. Animation artists who shared first looks and creative insights into the next era of DC animation.
Joker: Laugh Riot
When Batman is murdered, the Joker launches a ruthless crusade through Gotham’s underworld to find the killer who took away his greatest adversary. But as his violent quest for answers pushes him closer towards vigilante than villain, Joker is forced to confront the truth that without Batman, he doesn’t know who he is.
Series Greenlight, Adult Network: TBA Executive Producer: Jim Krieg Director: Yasuhuro Aoki Studio: Warner Bros. Animation, DC Studios, SOLA Entertainment
Absolute Batman
Absolute Batman boldly reinvents the Batman mythos for a new generation of fans, reimagining the Dark Knight as a working-class hero up against impossible odds (and the most terrifying foes ever), on a mission to prove that even in an era of wealth, power and corruption, one good person can change the world.
No manor, no money… all Batman. When you take away the manor, the money, the advantages, what you’re left with is something absolute.
Series Development, Adult Network: TBA Executive Producer: Scott Snyder Studio: Warner Bros. Animation, DC Studios
Untitled Krypto Project
When he’s not hanging out with Superman or Supergirl, Krypto tags along with a gang of misfit criminal wannabes who live down the block, and they soon discover he’s a ball of destructive, lovable energy worse than any of them! As he follows them into misadventures and poorly laid plans, Krypto’s pure nature slowly ends up redeeming them, whether they want it or not.
Series Development, Kids Network: TBA Executive Producer: C.H. Greenblatt Studio: Warner Bros. Animation, DC Studios
DC, Warner Bros. Animation, and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment have released the official trailer for Batman: Knightfall, a three-part movie event bringing to life one of the most iconic and beloved sagas in the rich history of Batman comics.
Part One of the trilogy, Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall premiered at the 2026 edition of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival with an official release planned for later this year.
Batman: Knightfall stars Anson Mount as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Michael Mando as Bane, Pablo Schreiber as Jean-Paul Valley/Azrael.
When the mysterious behemoth known only as Bane frees Batman’s entire Rogue’s Gallery from Arkham Asylum, the Caped Crusader is pushed to his mental and physical breaking point.
Batman: Knightfall is based on characters from DC and the DC Comic Book Event, Batman: Knightfall by Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, Dennis O’Neil, Peter David, Jo Duffy, Jim Aparo, Graham Nolan, Norm Breyfogle, and Jim Balent.
Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall is directed by Jeff Wamester and written by Jeremy Adams. Rick Morales serves as Supervising Producer alongside Producers Jim Krieg and Kimberly S. Moreau. Sam Register and Michael Uslan are Executive Producers.
Trachtenberg is the director of 10 Cloverfield Lane, Prey, Predator: Killer of Killers, Predator: Badlands, and more.
Trachtenberg will produce the animated project with Ben Rosenblatt.
Uncle Buck becomes the Boogey Man when a horror-obsessed, unlucky schlub accidentally kills the legendary slasher Nighty Night, he inherits the mantle of the monster—right as he’s stuck babysitting his niece and nephew for thirteen nights of terror. Now, as rival killers crawl out of the shadows to seize the throne, Freddy must drive cross-country to break the curse, protect his family… and prove he’s finally good at something, even if it’s being evil.
Paramount Animation has said the project is a PG-rated horror film.
Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment are bringing The Transformers: The Movieback to theatres for its 40th anniversary, inviting fans to relive the action, the music and yes… that moment.
The loss of Optimus Prime remains one of the most talked-about moments in franchise history. As part of the year-long “Apology Tour,” Hasbro is leaning into that shared experience, bringing fans together to grieve, heal, and reminisce at special fan events all year long, including the film’s return to theaters.
Beginning September 17, 2026, in honor of Transformers Day, the beloved 1986 animated film— presented in 4K—will roll into theatres across the U.S. with a wide theatrical release through September 21 as a special limited-run cinema experience. Select international markets are expected to launch day-and-date with the U.S.
Originally released in 1986, The Transformers: The Movie marked the franchise’s first feature film and raised the stakes in ways audiences did not see coming. What started as an epic battle between Autobots and Decepticons quickly became something more, introducing the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, the planet-devouring Unicron, and a turning point that left a generation of fans emotionally unprepared for what a children’s film could deliver.
Optimus Prime’s fall in a final showdown with arch-nemesis Megatron remains one of the most controversial moments in franchise history. Four decades later, fans are still talking about it. Now, they can experience it all over again together in theaters, this time knowing exactly what’s coming and choosing to show up anyway.
The film features an unforgettable voice cast, including Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Frank Welker (Megatron), Orson Welles (Unicron), Judd Nelson (Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime), Leonard Nimoy (Galvatron), Eric Idle (Wrek-Gar) and Robert Stack (Ultra Magnus).
Tickets for The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary will be available later this summer and at participating theatre box offices (theatre locations are subject to change). For more information and to be among the first notified when tickets go on sale, visit Fathom Entertainment.
Alongside the cinema experience, fans can expect additional anniversary surprises across toys, merchandise, publishing, and more because 40 years later… it still hits like a truck.
DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation is heading to the 2026 Annecy International Festival where it will show off some of what’s coming from the companies.
DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation unmask their super-powered slate, delivering first looks and creative insights into the next era of DC animation. Peter Safran (Co-Chairman and Co-CEO, DC Studios) and Sam Register (President, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe) will host a panel featuring executive producers Tom King (Mister Miracle), Rick Morales (Creature Commandos), Jake Wyatt (My Adventures with Superman, My Adventures with Green Lantern), Josie Campbell (Starfire!), and Matt Beans (DC Super Powers).
Full Programming Slate:
World’s Finest Animation: DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation Showcase
The Super Heroes and Super-Villains of DC take center stage at Annecy as super friends Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios preview their upcoming slate. Join Peter Safran (Co-Chairman and Co-CEO, DC Studios) and Sam Register (President, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe) as they host a panel featuring producers Tom King, Rick Morales, Jake Wyatt, Josie Campbell, and Matt Beans for exclusive first looks and behind-the-scenes insights into highly anticipated series, including Mister Miracle, My Adventures with Green Lantern, Starfire!, Creature Commandos, Batman: Caped Crusader, and more. From bold new visions to iconic characters reimagined, get a front-row seat to the future of DC animation.
Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall – World Premiere Screening
From Warner Bros. Animation, DC Studios, and Warner Home Entertainment comes Batman: Knightfall, a multi-part animated event bringing to life one of the most iconic and beloved runs in the rich history of Batman comics. In Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall, when the mysterious behemoth known only as Bane frees Batman’s entire Rogue’s Gallery from Arkham Asylum, the Caped Crusader is pushed to his mental and physical breaking point. Based on characters from DC and the DC Comic Book Event, Batman: Knightfall by Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, Dennis O’Neil, Peter David, Jo Duffy, Jim Aparo, Graham Nolan, Norm Breyfogle, and Jim Balent.
The Art of Adaptation: SuperMutant Magic Academy
Produced by Cartoon Network Studios for Adult Swim and based on the Eisner award-winning graphic novel from Jillian Tamaki, SuperMutant Magic Academy is an animated comedy/teen melodrama about the unusual humans and mutants that attend an ailing public boarding school. Between alchemy class, dodgeball, and theatre club, unlikely friends Marsha and Wendy wrestle with the mysteries of the teenage heart (and dragons). Join producers Calvin Wong and Jillian Tamaki for an exclusive exploration of the creative and production process behind bringing this award-winning graphic novel to life.
Adult Animation Comedy Showcase: Living the Dream & Keeping Up With the Joneses
Warner Bros. Animation and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe preview two original half-hour comedies – Living the Dream and Keeping Up With The Joneses – offering a first look at the creative and comedic vision behind each series.From early development to creative execution, the panel offers insight into how original ideas are brought to life across studios and continents—delivering fresh voices, distinct visual styles, and boundary-pushing humor for global audiences. Expect fresh perspectives, bold creative choices, and a glimpse at the next wave of animated comedy. Panelists include Living the Dream Executive Producer George Gendi and Keeping Up With The Joneses Executive Producers Hugh Davidson, Rachel Ramras, and Larry Dorf.
Coming to Adult Swim, Keeping Up With The Joneses is a half-hour animated comedy that follows the Newberry family as they try to “keep up” with their staggeringly wealthy Dallas neighbors – including the one next door, Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys.
Coming to Netflix, in Living the Dream, best friends Des and Ray are a couple of really cool guys from London who should have made it big by now but haven’t but still could. Instead, they’re stuck at a we’re-gonna-save-the-planet type company called Ecofood, doing “social media” for hardly any money. Now they must navigate awkward workplace romance, HR blunders, directives from the L.A. office and Ray’s dad’s disapproval. Could be worse, but could be much, much better.
Studio Focus Sessions
Creative executives from Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe highlight projects from their current and upcoming kids, young adult, and adult slate. Enjoy exclusive news and first looks from the always original Cartoon Network Studios, the iconic characters of Warner Bros. Animation, and the whimsical world of Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.
Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming‘s Powers is coming back to television, but this time as an adult animated series. The series is currently published by Dark Horse Comics and in development by Netflix along with Dark Horse Entertainment‘s Keith Goldberg and Chris Tongue who are executive producing.
Bendis is writing the pilot while Oeming is helping with the visual development for the show.
Powers follows two Chicago homicide detectives who work on cases involving individuals with superpowers.
The comic was first published by Image Comics debuting in 2000 and later moved on to Bendis’ Icon imprint with Marvel, then to DC as part of Bendis’ Jinxworld imprint and now with Jinxworld at Dark Horse celebrating 25 years. The series has had numerous volumes with over 100 issues and graphic novels released so far.
This isn’t the first time Powers has been adapted. It was part of Sony’s push into original programing for the PlayStation, PlayStation Plus, and PlayStation Network. It starred Sharlto Copely and Susan Heyward lasting two seasons after debuting in March 2015.
To save the universe, he really will need to be… [slam to title card]
Invincible is an adult animated superhero series that revolves around 17-year-old Mark Grayson, who’s just like every other guy his age — except his father is the most powerful superhero on the planet, Omni-Man. But as Mark develops powers of his own, he discovers his father’s legacy may not be as heroic as it seems.
Invincible Season 4 arrives March 18 on Prime Video!
