Direct-to-DVD Teen Titans in Trouble?

[Midnite]

Source

Direct-to-DVD Teen Titans in Trouble?
Source: James Harvey February 28, 2008


The World's Finest reports that direct-to-DVD release Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is in trouble. Here's a clip:

According to Marv Wolfman, one of the screenplay writers for the direct-to-video Teen Titans: The Judas Contract animated feature, the DC Universe Animated Movie could be in trouble.

Wolfman states the movie is currently on hold because, according to Warner Home Video, there may not be a big enough audience for the Teen Titans: The Judas Contract animated feature to be successful. Teen Titans: The Judas Contract was originally scheduled to be the third DC Universe Animated Movie before Warner Home Video delayed it, opting to produce Batman: Gotham Knight and Wonder Woman instead.

Nooo.................. anyone want to join me on a trip down to WB?  :twisted:
*Takes pitchfork*

[Panther_Gunn]

Wolfman states the movie is currently on hold because, according to Warner Home Video, there may not be a big enough audience for the Teen Titans: The Judas Contract animated feature to be successful.

Sounds to me like they painted themselves in a corner on that one.  They went way too far with the anime influences, and essentially limited their audience.  Hopefully they'll leard from this.  The fact that a Wonder Woman title might come from this should be a bit of a salve on the wound, though.

[zuludelta]

Sounds to me like they painted themselves in a corner on that one.  They went way too far with the anime influences, and essentially limited their audience.  Hopefully they'll leard from this.  The fact that a Wonder Woman title might come from this should be a bit of a salve on the wound, though.

Actually, it's quite the opposite. Glen Murakami's Teen Titans is the most successful recent cartoon translation of a DC property in terms of popularity among the target 6 to 8 year old demographic, according to Cartoon Network VP Sam Register. Far from "limiting their audience," using the anime-inspired influences greatly broadened the appeal of the characters among younger viewers, which was the plan in the first place, as Sam Register has stated in interviews, Murakami's Teen Titans was intended to introduce the characters to a younger audience and audiences who weren't comic book readers... in his own words:

six and seven and eight year olds, were not gelling with the Justice League and some of the more of the fanboy shows...The main mission was making a good superhero show for kids. Now if the fanboys happen to like the Teen Titans also, that's great, but that was not our mission.

As Marv Wolfman stated in a recent interview, the upcoming Judas Contract animated feature was going to be "done straight" (no "anime influences") because the feature was going to be targeted towards an older audience than the one for Murakami's Teen Titans.

I think the decision to ditch the Murakami designs and continuity for one more faithful to the comics is probably one of the reasons why the feature's producers think it might not have a large enough audience to justify the cost of producing it. Now, that's not because I think that Murakami's designs and revision of Teen Titans continuity is superior to the comics mind you (although I like what he did in terms of making it accessible to pre-teen kids), but the bulk of the market for a Teen Titans cartoon is going to be pre-teen kids and younger adolescents who grew up watching Murakami's version of the Teen Titans. Since this new Judas Contract feature wasn't meant to target that particular demographic, I can understand why the producers suddenly got cold feet with regards to the project.

[stumpy]

That was my thought, too. There could be way more people who saw the cartoon show than who read the comic books.

That said, I would have liked to see a not-targeted-at-six-year-olds TT movie. The TT cartoon series never did anything for me, when I briefly tried to get into it. I don't like the anime style. Note that I didn't say I dislike it; it's not bad, but it's also not cool or special. I just don't care about it.

I think it's too bad that marketing folks still don't seem to have worked out that "animated" doesn't mean "just for kids". I don't know if it's a generational thing or just simple lack of imagination, but it still seems like there is an attitude that, if it's animated, then the concern is often about how many kids will watch it (and then how many lunch boxes, action figures, T-shirts, and sweetened cereals they can license from it). That's just my impression, of course. After almost twenty years of The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and Family Guy doing well with adult audiences (and South Park being explicitly for adults), there is some progress (as with the recent Justice League and Superman: Doomsday releases). But, if the TT movie wasn't going to appeal to the kids that saw the TV show, why not try and figure out how to reach older audiences who might appreciate a well-told superhero story?

[rain]

This is pretty unfortunate.

Judas Contract remains one of my favorite story arcs every in comics. It was a well written peice of work (and well drawn) that really does stand the test of time.

I guess we need to face reality as comic fans: the few thousand of us who would actively run out and buy this just aren't worth the production costs.

The product has to be expanded to reach a wider audience in order to be economically viable.

Look I can't stand the current TV version of the Titans. But then I thought the Timm version of Batman was crap too. I will conceed it's popluarity though.

Keep in mind I beleive 50,000,000 Elvis fans can be wrong.
But 50,000,000 records solds speaks volumes.

Seeing Judas Contract come to life as it was in the comics, without some "stylized" (read:simple and cheap to draw) animation style would be a dream come true. I don't care who voices it, as long as it plays out just like the comics and vaguely resembles George Perez's vision of it.

But I don't think my dream come true would make enough money money to break even.

And all I have to do is look at my straight to DVD version of Doctor Strange to realize it.

[The Hitman]

Huh. The way I read this, it seems like the producers are afraid that pre- teen will rush out and buy it, or rent it, and be shocked by the darker approach.

Case in point:

When the Superman:Doomsday came out, I had a great deal of young kids (and their parents) buy it. I also had roughly 60% of those parents return it, confused and appalled at some of the images and themes that were present. They took no time in researching the film, or for that matter, notice that the hologram cover depicted a bloody "S," they just blindly assumed that it was based on the animated series.

And if consumers had that kind of reaction, considering Superman: TAS was arguably for teens to adults, imagine what the reaction would be if the parent of a 4 or 5 year- old picked up the Teen Titans film, thinking it'd be a fun romp through pseudo- Anime Land.

(After re- reading through the previous posts, I guess Zulu already covered this point. Oops.)

[BentonGrey]

This makes me quite sad......and I point the finger of blame squarely at the Teen Titans show!  Of course I'm exaggerating, but if that show had made an effort to walk a finer line, like Batman:TAS, then, for one, I could have watched it without wanting to rip my eyes out, and for two, they would be able to make the jump to a more serious movie.  I mean, look at Mask of the Phantasm, that movie was pretty dark and serious.  It even made my wife cry at points (which I still hold gives it credence as one of the greatest animated features EVER, because it can move a jaded non-comic fan to tears), and yet, I went to see it as a boy and loved it!  The problem is that Hollywood constantly pitches to the lowest common denominator, thus we have entertainment for children (and adults) that is painfully stupid.  If they gave kids something to rise up to, like Timm's Batman, they would.

[Midnite]

Warner Bros. Animation is having second thoughts about producing the TEEN TITANS: JUDAS CONTRACT animated DTV movie. I've just today exchanged emails with Marv Wolfman on the subject.

I wrote:

Hi Mr. Wolfman,

The site Business Wire posted the official press release for Batman: Gotham Knight yesterday. I see that one of the extras is a sneak peak at the Wonder Woman animated DTV. I assume that this must mean that the Wonder Woman DTV has been bumped ahead of Teen Titans: The Judas Contract.

Do you have any insight as to why this was done? I can easily understand Batman: Gotham Knight getting pushed ahead of Teen Titans; it had to be finished in time to be released before The Dark Knight. I just don't understand why the Teen Titans DTV didn't go into production after Gotham Knight was completed; although, I did wonder if something was up when casting announcements of Keri Russell for Wonder Woman and Nathan Fillion for Col. Steve Trevor were released. Any light that you can shed upon this development would be greatly appreciated. Let me know if you would not like to be quoted.

Mr. Wolfman's reply:

Titans is on hold as WB isn't sure enough people know what the Titans is. If enough people write into the WB animation perhaps they will realize there's a large audience for it.
-M

We need to write to Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Premiere to let them know that a sizable audience has been waiting for this movie. Remember to be polite and to the point. For now, I have the following contacts from the Batman: Gotham Knight press release:

Mr. Wolfman writes: "I was told either Warner Home Video website or the DCUonDVD.com website and post comments. Truth be told I can't find a place to post but that doesn't mean it isn't there. Sorry I can't find out more."

I don't have a lot on confidence in emails to company dump sites. You may be better off directing letters to the following persons:

Diane Nelson, President, Warner Premiere
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.
4000 Warner Blvd., Bldg 2, #103
Burbank, CA 91522
diane.nelson@warnerbros.com

Lisa Judson, President, Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.
4000 Warner Blvd
Burbank, CA 91522-0001
lisa.judson@warnerbros.com

Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.
4000 Warner Blvd., Bldg 160, #12112
Burbank, CA 91522
ron.sanders@warnerbros.com

And the big kahoona would be:

Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group

But we should probably focus on the other three.



Sample email 1:

Hello.

I am concerned for the "DC Universe" animated DTV movie, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract. I am hearing that this project is on hold because WB executives are questioning whether there is enough public familiarity with the Teen Titans. This seems like a baseless concern to me. The Teen Titans animated series received terrific ratings at Cartoon Network. Many viewers have been very loyal to the show. There are popular websites devoted to the series and to the original Teen Titans comics.

Please, do not delay this movie any further. I know that Mr. Marv Wolfman turned in the completed screenplay some time ago. I look forward to seeing a preview of Teen Titans: The Judas Contract as a special feature on the upcoming Wonder Woman animated film DVD. Thank you for your time.

Regards,

[full name]



Sample email 2:

February 28, 2008

Lisa Judson - President, Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522-0001

Ms. Judson,

I am concerned for the "DC Universe" animated DTV movie, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract. I have been eagerly awaiting this feature-length movie ever since the "DCU" films were first announced. I have recently become aware that this project is on hold because WB executives are questioning whether there is enough public familiarity with the Teen Titans. I am not certain how this ever became a concern. The Teen Titans animated series received terrific ratings at Cartoon Network. Many viewers have been very loyal to the show. There are popular websites devoted to the series and to the original Teen Titans comics.

Please, do not delay this movie any further. I know that Mr. Marv Wolfman turned in the completed screenplay some time ago. I look forward to seeing a preview of Teen Titans: The Judas Contract as a special feature on the upcoming Wonder Woman animated film DVD. Thank you for your time.

Regards,
[name]

Let's start sending in those emails people!

[B A D]

You have a fundimental problem putting out even a semi adult teen titans product right now. The judas contract involved some HEAVY issues. Not the least of which was Terra and Slade getting busy, and the fact that Terra was an absolute whack job.

I preface this by saying I was and am a Teen Titans cartoon booster - It brought both my kids firmly into the comics camp, and inspired my daughter to read on her own. The cartoon network knocked the ball out of the park with that show.

Now, picture a less than informed geek parent like me, purchasing the Judas Contract because little Billy and Sally want their Deen Ditans fix. They're expecting "BOO-YAH!" and such when what they're gonna get is far, f ar, far more complex than that. The letters will go out . Pitchforks will be sharpened. Torches lit. Game over.

[Previsionary]

As much as I want to support the, "started as a kid show, but the movie was more adultish and the parents will send letters" camp, I can't put all that blame on a company when there is a content rating right there on the box and the parents should, at the very least, read the box to see if it's appropriate for their child. So, I can't support that argument just because it should be the individuals job to moderate what is appropriate for their children and not the company for trying something new. If they have time to write and send letters, then they certainly have time to read a box or to ask someone if the movie would be appropriate for a child under a certain age.

Let's not forget that the last teen titans movie (TT: in tokyo) and even the cartoon show itself did tackle some dark/more mature stories than you would normally see in a kids cartoon (this generation at least). Judas Contract would just ramp that up a lot more. As much as I liked the anime-esque show, I did want to see a more true to comics version of it, so I hope it is made.

[B A D]

Heh. You're actually trying to make the point the point that the American consumer be held responsible for its own purchases. Thats funny.

I don't mean to sound flippant (well, yes I do) but this is the same stupid culture that sues because our coffee is too hot, and that protests at the drop of a hat when somebody in some obscure frame of reference is deemed  insulted because something that was said was completely taken out of context. I don't blame WB at all for being careful in its decision making process, no matter how absurd it seems on the surface. And I WANTED  to see the Judas Contract. that would have been awesome.

[Previsionary]

You're totally right. I keep forgetting that responsibility for our actions/freedoms have shifted to other organizations/corporations when we don't feel like being blamed. This movie should never be made! If it is...I'll totally sue Warner brothers, BAD, and that monkey in the zoo just because...well, I dont need a reason. :P

[B A D]

exactly.

[rain]

I don't mean to sound flippant (well, yes I do) but this is the same stupid culture that sues because our coffee is too hot, and that protests at the drop of a hat when somebody in some obscure frame of reference is deemed  insulted because something that was said was completely taken out of context. I don't blame WB at all for being careful in its decision making process, no matter how absurd it seems on the surface. And I WANTED  to see the Judas Contract. that would have been awesome.

QFT

As someone who works in Customer Service and handles "supervisor escalations" I simply cannot agree with this point more.

[thanoson]

I found they kinda covered the Judas Contract when Slade took over Terra's body. I mean, what could be more destructive to a 15 year old girl than to be told that he has complete control over her body, forcing her to do things she didn't want to do? That episode was for us I believe.

[B A D]

I never looked at that episode that way. Ill have to re watch it.

[Silver Shocker]

With this talk about "kid-friendly TT" versus "darker, more adult TT", I'm hoping most viewers apreciated the Trigon storyine in the cartoon? And understood the somewhat humourous (in light of Identity Crisis) subtext of the Kole episode where Dr. Light was in it? Or the episode "Birthmark" for a even better example? Teen Titans was a bit childish for a my tastes (the chibi visual gags bugged me a bit), but they did do some dark stuff once in a while.

[Previsionary]

Yessir, I brought that up in a post. Teen Titans did quite a few darker storylines that people overlook because it was marketed to kids. In the last movie, Robin was framed for murder, no? The Terra storyline was much more mature than most cartoon at the time and a few of Robin's stories were dark as well. It wasn't always super kid friendly, but I don't remember any complaints being filed...but then again, cartoons seem to be becoming more and more tame when compared to the ones prior. Quite a regression, really.

[Silver Shocker]

I remember the Robin "haunted" episode, the one that channelled a certain Brad Pitt movie. that was pretty creepy/dark.

I always firmly believed "Birthmark" (where Raven is pursued by a now-demonically powered Slade) to be symbolically a defile story.  [edit: the autocensor strikes again] Raven flees hopelessly against a bad man who she's powerless against, finally gets caught, and put through a kind of tramatic experiance that leaves her outfit somewhat tattered, and her hair longer (for whatever reason). The thing that gave me such a vibe was at the end when she is cutting her hair alone in her room.

I've never read the old comics, but I read recently that some stuff was left out of the cartoon's adaption of the Trigon storyline for content purposes. I have no idea what exactly but I found there was some pretty demonic themes in that storyline. The fact that it had several episodes devoted to it throughout the season was especially notable, rather than just one or two.

One could argue the Brotherhood of Evil storyline was dark, not because it was violent or anything, but just because the characters seemed to be in more danger and peril than usual.

I am dissapointed Judas Contract won't be made. I'm not familiar with the comic story but have it was very good many times, and I would have loved to watch it when it came out. It's too bad it got the axe.

I do agree that there is more censorship in cartoons these days then there used to be. The 90's Spider-Man cartoon suffered pretty badley under that. (as mentioned recently in the Spider-Man cartoon thread).

[Midnite]

Our grass-roots campaign is paying off. Warner Home Video confirms that the Teen Titans: Judas Contract  movie is still on the development slate. Newsarama's  Steve Fritz reports through his "Animated Shorts" column:

One quick news bit that couldn't wait - one of our best sources at Warner Bros. Home Video has been reading. They wanted you all to know the following about the planned Direct-to-DVD release of Teen Titans: Judas Contract.

"Teen Titans: Judas Contract is one of a number of stories in development within the DC Universe Animated Original Movie series," said our source. "We'll be announcing future plans as titles begin production over the next few years."

I'm not sure that we can call this a complete win yet; however, we defininitely have WB's attention (although, I wonder if they just want the e-mails to stop!).

Source: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=149803

[Midnite]

Warner Home Video has elaborated a bit on upcoming DC Universe Animated Original Movies , and the news is not good for Teen Titans fans. After mentioning the direct-to-video Wonder Woman movie that's due for release in February 2009, the post says:

There will be at least two more long-form Batman-themed releases under the DC Universe Animated Original Movie name, with the possibility of using the banner name to revisit previous established properties, such as Justice League Unlimited . Timm has gone on record saying there's a good chance fans will be seeing Justice League: World's Collide , the script by Dwayne McDuffie that bridged the popular Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series. However, fans should not be looking forward to Teen Titans: The Judas Contract anytime soon, as that project has been put on indefinite hold for the foreseeable future. Lack of fan support remains the key issue in Teen Titans: The Judas Contract remaining on the backburner.

The complete story is here: http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=222

I say that if Warner Home Video wants to see fan support, let's give it to them. Brief, polite, written letters are probably more effective than e-mails or on-line petitions. They provide the person with something that can easily be shown to others. Here are the addresses:

NOTE: According to a story posted: Thurs., Apr. 24, 2008 in Variety , "Lisa Judson is exiting as head of Warner Bros. Animation after only 10 months in the position, with her responsibilities to be consolidated under Warner Bros. Television prexy Peter Roth."

Peter Roth
President, Warner Bros. Television Production
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522
peter.roth@warnerbros.com

Diane Nelson, President, Warner Premiere
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.
4000 Warner Blvd., Bldg 2, #103
Burbank, CA 91522
diane.nelson@warnerbros.com

Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.
4000 Warner Blvd., Bldg 160, #12112
Burbank, CA 91522
ron.sanders@warnerbros.com

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

As bad as that may be, the idea of getting Justice League: World's Collide, or anything TAS, is just plain exciting.  More than makes up for it, really.