Batman Beyond successfully builds upon Batman: The Animated Series while standing on its own in the DC Animated Universe. The show moves into the future without losing its creative edge.
But fans of the acclaimed animated series might be surprised to learn that the iconic villain, Mr. Freeze, almost had a very different depiction than the one showed in the series.
While the episode featuring Freeze, Heart of Ice, went on to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing, the initial plan for the character in Batman Beyond could have deviated from that well-established legacy.
Batman Beyond‘s Mr. Freeze Arc Could Have Taken a Wrong Turn
According to the initial script of Batman Beyond, Terry McGinnis (the new Batman), would have stumbled upon a gruesome scene while grabbing a drink from the Batcave refrigerator: the severed head of Mr. Freeze.
This shocking image was intended as an edgy introduction for the character, a way to distance the show from the campier elements of the original Batman series. However, the plan backfired spectacularly. Paul Dini stated in Batman Beyond source book – Toyfare Magazine #20 (via DC Animated Universe Wiki):
“We were gonna have an episode where Bruce Wayne opens his freezer, Mr. Freeze’s head is in there in a jar, and he just says ‘Someday, Wayne. Someday I will turn your bones to ice, I will…’ and Bruce just slams the door. That’s what we wanted to do, but we’re doing something else.”
Thankfully, the showrunners realized how awful that would be. Not only is it super gruesome, but it totally disrespects a well-liked character like Mr. Freeze. They quickly scrapped the severed head idea, deeming it an “unfitting” and “embarrassing” end for such a beloved character.
In its place, Dini and Alan Burnett crafted a far more compelling arc for Mr. Freeze. Their revised plan, introduced in the fifth episode titled Meltdown, showcased a more relatable version of the villain.
The Meltdown Episode was a More Fitting Return for Mr. Freeze
Introduced in the aptly titled episode Meltdown, the revised plot offered a more complex look into the villain’s character. The focus shifted to Derek Powers, an evil industrialist facing a deadly illness. Desperate to survive, Powers tries to clone a new body for himself.
Mr. Freeze ends up being the guinea pig for this risky experiment. At first, it looks like it works out fine, and Victor Fries attempts to live a normal life.
But soon, he realizes it’s all gone wrong, and the ones he trusted have betrayed him. Seeking vengeance, the villainous persona of Mr. Freeze resurfaces.
Fans can be glad that Mr. Freeze didn’t meet such a grisly end. Instead, he returned in a more suitable and intricate manner in the Meltdown episode.
Watch Batman Beyond on Max.
