'Batman: The Killing Joke' R-Rated Animation Revealed In First Trailer

Late last year, Warner Bros revealed plans to create 'Batman: The Killing Joke,' an animated R-rated movie with Mark Hamill back as the Joker. The project has been underway since then, and the company has just revealed it in its first trailer. By all accounts, it appears the movie will stay true to its polarizing graphic novel foundation, and it brings with it a solid R-rating.

The animated movie is based on the 1988 graphic novel by Alan Moore, a dark installment in the Batman universe and one that, we've been promised, will be largely followed by the movie. This is the first instance of a DC Universe original movie being given an R-rating; it comes from Warner Bros Animation and Warner Home Entertainment.

The movie features Mark Hamill as the Joker, Kevin Conroy as Batman, and Tara Strong as Batgirl (Barbara Gordon). Earlier this month, Warner Bros Animation President Sam Register said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly:

From the start of production, we encouraged producer Bruce Timm and our team at Warner Bros. Animation to remain faithful to the original story — regardless of the eventual MPAA rating. The Killing Joke is revered by the fans, particularly for its blunt, often-shocking adult themes and situations. We felt it was our responsibility to present our core audience — the comics-loving community — with an animated film that authentically represented the tale they know all too well.

The movie is a direct-to-disc release and will be available as a Blu-ray, DVD and digital HD video this upcoming July.

SOURCE: YouTube