Batman has seen various incarnations over the years, whether it be live-action or animation. The character remains one of the most beloved among the pantheon of DC heroes, and multiple stories surrounding the character continue to be adapted. One of the unique iterations of the character was 2018’s Batman Ninja, putting a Japanese spin to the character.
The animated film received mixed reviews from fans and did not garner much hype and excitement from general audiences. Now, a sequel has been announced titled Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League. But most fans are either uninterested or pissed at the creators for not attempting other comic arcs that are more memorable and beloved by the community.
Fans Are Not Happy With the Sequel Announcement to Batman Ninja
2018’s Batman Ninja transported Batman from his home city Gotham to many years in the past in feudal Japan. He and Catwoman work together to stop all of Gotham City’s criminals who have already arrived years prior, from wreaking havoc and altering history. However, not all fans connected with this unique premise when it came out (via IMDB).
Now, a sequel to the film has been announced, and it’s titled Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League. Despite Batman Ninja being a visually striking film, many fans had problems with its plot, direction, and its pacing. Getting a sequel was not on their bingo card of 2024.
While there are some who are excited about a sequel, most fans are uninterested and would rather see another Batman adaptation that is more worthy. Some are complaining that studios are not adapting the recent beloved crossover comic storyline Dark Nights: Death Metal and are instead focusing on a sequel to Batman Ninja. Here are some of the reactions on X,
Ain’t nobody watching pic.twitter.com/0bXPM3Aoor
— AlwayzHoodie (@AlwayzHoodie) May 30, 2024
Why?
— ᴊᴏʜɴ ᴡɪɴɢᴍᴀɴ 𒉭 (@JonathanAl47) May 30, 2024
A Batman Ninja sequel but we still can’t get them to adapt the Death Metal storyline I swear they hire anybody in the film industry these days…
— Josh Sweat Truther (@EaglesBurna) May 30, 2024
Ngl the first movie sucked a$s apart from the stunning visuals
— WWF LEGACY (@WWFLEGACYYT) May 31, 2024
Yeah not feeling it pic.twitter.com/fJa2HgcamJ
— Mike (@AwesomeMike650) May 30, 2024
Japanese actor Kōichi Yamadera voice Batman in the Japanese version of Batman Ninja while Roger Craig Smith voiced the character in the English dubbed version. While fans are not thrilled with the announcement, the sequel can impress fans if it corrects the problems of the first film and brings a more cohesive narrative. It remains to be seen how the sequel tuns out to be.
Jeffrey Wright Has Not Read A Script For The Batman 2 Yet
2022’s The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves, presented the quintessential detective side of Batman and him solving a complex mystery looming over Gotham. People loved the new take on the character and are excited to see more of him in the announced sequel. However, production delays have caused the film to be pushed to a 2026 release date.
Reeves seems to be still perfecting the script of the film as Jeffrey Wright, who portrayed James Gordon in the 2022 film, recently told Entertainment Tonight that he has not read any script yet. However, he trusts Reeves to bring a wonderful script and is excited to get back on set when the time comes. Wright said,
Clearly, I’m Lieutenant Gordon at the end of the film, the first film, so we may be moving up in the ranks, I suppose, but I haven’t seen anything yet. I’m being patient, letting Matt Reeves do his thing — which is going to be magical and wonderful — and looking forward to diving back into it when the time comes.
The first film had Robert Pattinson as Batman along with Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell playing prominent characters.
The sequel titled The Batman – Part II set for a theatrical release on October 2, 2026. Farrell is set to return as Penguin in his own series on Max premiering in late 2024.
