BATMAN: KNIGHTFALL Animated Film Saga in the Works at Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Animation is diving deep into one of Batman’s darkest and most iconic storylines. During the “The Art Knight: Batman in Animation” panel at New York Comic-Con, the studio officially announced that a multi-part animated film adaptation of Batman: Knightfall is currently in production. The first chapter is expected to arrive in 2026, with a release date to be revealed later.
For longtime Batman fans, this is a big deal. Knightfall is considered one of the most influential arcs in the Caped Crusader’s comic book history. Originally published between 1993 and 1994, the story was created by comic legends Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, Dennis O’Neil, Peter David, Jo Duffy, Jim Aparo, Graham Nolan, Norm Breyfogle, and Jim Balent.
The saga famously introduced Bane, the calculating brute who not only outsmarted but physically broke Batman.
The official synopsis for the upcoming film teases the scale of what’s to come:
“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.”
The first installment, titled Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall, will be directed by Jeff Wamester and written by Jeremy Adams. The production team includes Rick Morales as supervising producer, with Jim Krieg and Kimberly S. Moreau producing. Sam Register and Michael Uslan are attached as executive producers.
While parts of the Knightfall storyline have influenced other Batman adaptations, most notably The Dark Knight Rises with Christian Bale and Tom Hardy, this marks the first time the full arc is being adapted directly for the screen.
Warner Bros. Animation has delivered some decent Batman films over the years, from Batman: Death in the Family to Batman: The Killing Joke and Batman: Under the Red Hood. With Knightfall, they’re tackling one of the most brutal and emotionally charged chapters in Batman’s legacy.
It looks like fans will finally get to see the complete rise and fall, and eventual rebirth, of Gotham’s Dark Knight brought to animated life.
Would you be hyped to see Batman: Knightfall finally done justice in animation?