The Teen Titans have had their ups and downs over the years in DC Comics, going from a second-tier novelty title–as our own Eric Diaz investigated–to the title that single-handedly saved DC from bankruptcy in the ’70s. They reached prominence on the small screen with a beloved animated series, but were sort of on the wane until the recent Rebirth became one of the flagship books of the new era. Now we’re getting a first look at a brand new Teen Titans animated film, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, which will be based on one of their biggest comics arcs.
The next DC Animated Universe movie will be Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, the second Titans-centric film in the direct-to-home-entertainment series, following 2016’s Justice League vs Teen Titans. Since 2014, and the ostensible end of the Timmverse continuity, the films have followed the New 52 continuity, focusing on that regime of Justice League, the Batman Family and others. Teen Titans: The Judas Contract will be the first hearkening back to a much older run of comics, though it will still remain in the current continuity.
“The Judas Contract” was a 1984 story arc of Tales of the Teen Titans by team creators Marv Wolfman and George Perez which is still considered one of the most controversial storylines of the era. In it, the secret origins of Deathstroke–the Titans’ longest-running and most fearsome enemy–are revealed, as is the revelation that brand new Titan Terra has been working with Deathstroke the whole time, and has also been carrying on a sexual relationship. This was especially shocking because, while Deathstroke was clearly middle-aged, Terra was 16 years old.
It seems fairly unlikely that they’ll stay THAT true to the original source material; we can already see that things are changed up, with Blue Beetle being added to the roster of Titans in the movie, replacing Cyborg who is currently on the Justice League in the comics and movie continuities. And, really, the betrayal of the character will be big enough; no need to make it a creepy pedophile thing, too, even if Deathstroke is a bad guy.
Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is directed by Sam Liu and written by Ernie Altbacker and will see Christina Ricci and Miguel Ferrer join a voice cast that will include returning DC animated film staples Sean Maher, Kari Wahlgren, Jake T. Austin, Taissa Farmiga, Brandon Soo Hoo, and Stuart Allan.
Let us know what you think of “The Judas Contract” being adapted to animation. Will they go full-controversy or keep it slightly more chaste? Let us know in the comments below!
Images: DC Comics/DC Entertainment
Kyle Anderson is the Associate Editor for Nerdist and an avowed DC Comics fanboy. Follow him on Twitter!
