'Batman Azteca': Batman's First Spanish Language Film Ordered By HBO Max
HBO Max has ordered the caped crusader's next animated film, and it's not what you would expect. While we have seen Batman in the animated medium before, it's never been like this. For the first time, viewers will see a version of Batman in the Spanish language, embracing the historical settings of the Aztec Empire. To ensure the authenticity of the project, Warner Bros. Animation has teamed up with a Latin American studio, Anima and Chatrone, to produce the project.
Over the years, we have experienced many different people taking up the cowl and embracing the name of Batman. This iteration will not be of a Latino Bruce Wayne variant. Instead, Deadline reports, the story will follow a young man by the name of Yohualli Coatl as he attempts to avenge the murder of his father at the hands of Spanish Conquistadors. After escaping this tragedy, he makes his way to the capital city of Tenochtitlan to warn the King Moctezuma of the occurring invasion. There, he trains in the temple of the bat god Tzinacan and takes up his new mantle as this film's version of Batman. Training with his mentor and assistant Acatzin, Yohualli prepares to fend off the Spanish invasion and avenge his father's death.
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This movie will be fully committed to embracing the heritage, history, and art of Latin America. The film will be entirely produced in Mexico and feature local talent for the art direction. They have also hired Alejandro Diaz Barriga, a specialist in Mesoamerican studies, as a consultant to ensure that the representation of the Aztec people remains consistent and appropriate with historical accuracy. With Juan Meza-Leon (Harley Quinn the Animated Series; Rick and Morty) serving as director, and Horacio Garcia Rojas (Narcos: Mexico) voicing the lead protagonist, this is shaping up to be an exciting, groundbreaking project.
As far as we know, this film will be a completely Spanish-spoken film. There have yet to be any announcements for a release date or as to whether there will be an English dub. Regardless, superheroes as iconic as Batman have been shown to transcend race and language, allowing anyone to imagine themself under the cowl. Do not let the language of the film dissuade you. DC has proven time and time again that its animated features aren't worth missing. Keep an eye out for Batman Azteca: Choque De Imperios when it lands on HBO Max.
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Source: Deadline