Article by Adam Poncharoensub
To my pleasant surprise, WB and DC have decided to release a Deathstroke animated feature film. Similar to Vixen and Freedom Fighters: The Ray, Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons‘ first incarnation was as animated webseries on The CW Seed. Originally, it consisted of six episodes lasting approximately 6 minutes each. And like Vixen and The Ray, they’re adding a ton of new content and releasing it into as a feature length flick. A few days ago, WB dropped the trailer and release date for Deathstroke: Knights and Dragons.
Check out the trailer below:
Having never seen the original webseries, I’m very disappointed that there are no actual dragons. Either way, it looks like we’re getting a pretty gritty, R-rated action flick worthy of Deathstroke the Terminator.
No dragons, but a ton of action
Check out the details below:
Go behind the mask and into the deep backstory of one of DC’s most revered anti-heroes in Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons, a new entry in the popular series of DC Animated Movies. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Blue Ribbon Content and DC, the feature-length animated film will be released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting August 4, 2020, and on Blu-ray Combo Pack on August 18, 2020.
Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack (USA $24.98 SRP; Canada $29.98 SRP), which features a Blu-ray disc with the film in hi-definition, a DVD with the film in standard definition, and a digital version of the movie.
Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons offers a new take on the Deathstroke legacy. Mercenary and master assassin Slade Wilson leads two lives: one as the relentless killer known as Deathstroke, and the other as a dedicated family man. When these worlds collide, forced together by the vicious terror group known as H.I.V.E., it is the killer in Slade who must fight to save his loved ones, as well as what remains of himself. With his soul torn apart and his young son held captive, Deathstroke will have to atone for the sins of his past to fuel the battles of his future!
Revamped origins
Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Michael Chiklis (The Shield, The Commish, American Horror Story: Freak Show) headlines the cast as Slade Wilson/Deathstroke, alongside Sasha Alexander (Rizzoli & Isles, Shameless, NCIS) as Wilson’s wife, Adeline “Addie” Kane Wilson. The cast also includes Chris Jai Alex (ThunderCats Roar, Extraction) as The Jackal; Faye Mata (League of Legends) as Jade/H.I.V.E Queen; Griffin Puatu (Beastars) as Joseph/Jericho; Imari Williams (Transformers: Rescue Bots, LEGO DC: Shazam! Magic and Monsters) as President Nichols; Asher Bishop (The Angry Birds Movie 2) as Young Joseph; Colin Salmon (Krypton, Arrow, Die Another Day) as William Wintergreen; Delbert Hunt (Bad Henry) as Bronze Tiger; Panta Mosleh (Always Be My Maybe, Pass The Salt) as Lady Shiva; and Noshir Dalal (Red Dead Redemption II) as Kapoor; Castulo Guerra (The Usual Suspects, Jane The Virgin) as General Suarez; and Minae Noji (General Hospital) as Secretary of State.
Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons has been produced in a dual format – initially as animated shorts, the first five of which appeared on CW Seed. With a runtime of 87 minutes, the feature-length Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons film has nearly 50 minutes of never-before-seen content, including the film’s thrilling climax. The film is rated R for bloody violence/gore, language, disturbing images, and some sexual content.
A gritty, violent tale worthy of Deathstroke
Sung Jin Ahn (Niko and the Sword of Light) directs the film from a script by J.M. DeMatteis (Superman: Red Son, Batman: Bad Blood). Sam Register, Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter serve as executive producers.
“Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons gives DC Animated Movies’ their first true look into the complicated backstory of one of DC’s most controversial characters – Deathstroke is sometimes villain, sometimes anti-hero, and always deadly,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Senior Vice President, Originals, Animation and Family Marketing. “Michael Chiklis does an incredible job capturing the ruthless approach and conflicted internal struggles of Deathstroke.”
Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons Special Features
Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital
- Deathstroke: One-Man Death Machine (New Featurette) – Some think he’s a villain. To others, he’s an unsung hero of secret wars fought all over the world. One thing’s for certain: When you see the orange-and-black mask, Deathstroke is coming!
Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons will also be available on Movies Anywhere. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts.
For you Gotham fans, it’s a real treat to hear Michael Chiklis. For those who didn’t know, Chiklis brought to life Gotham‘s version of Executioner. Overall, I’d say he was a pretty great choice.
And lastly, here’s the epic cover art for Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons:
A pleasant surprised indeed, expect to see Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons The Movie starting on August 4, 2020, with a physical media release on August 18, 2020.
Images, Video and Press Release Courtesy of DC Entertainment