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Frank Miller discusses seeing The Dark Knight Returns referenced in recent DC films, calling his relationship with Hollywood adaptations “healthy.”
The critically acclaimed graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns helped to elevate the career of legendary writer/artist Frank Miller. Now, over 30 years years later, Miller has opened up about seeing his work referenced on the big screen.
During an appearance on The Beard and The Bald Movie Podcast, Miller was asked his feelings on seeing director Zack Snyder reference his comics material in recent DC films such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. “At first, my reaction was to be very territorial and all that,” Miller said. “And now I’ve kind of sat back and with a much deeper breath and longer view on the whole thing and all I can say is: this is great.
“I mean, I came in and I came up with my idea for The Dark Knight Returns,” Miller continued, “and that basically was the big splash I made, which started my whole career going. And since then I’ve seen the two fields collaborate back and forth. I benefited greatly from Dark Knight Returns and so have they and continue to. And it can only be looked at as a healthy relationship.”
Dark Knight Returns material referenced in Snyder’s films includes Batman silhouetted against a lightning bolt, as well as the mech suit Batman uses to fight Superman in 2016’s Dawn of Justice. Meanwhile, Zack Snyder’s Justice League features a shot of Batman standing atop the bat-tank that appears almost identical to a panel straight out of Dark Knight Returns. Snyder and Miller are no strangers to each other, mind you, as Snyder adapted the 1998 graphic novel 300, which Miller both wrote and illustrated, with the similarly titled film releasing in 2007. Naturally, Snyder has expressed his desire to adapt The Dark Night Returns one day.
The Dark Knight Returns follows an older, weathered Batman who finds himself coming out of retirement to take on everything from the Mutants street gang to classic villains such as Two-Face and the Joker. The story casts returning heroes like Catwoman, Green Arrow and Superman in a grimmer perspective while also introducing a new Robin in that of the young Carrie Kelley. The four-part miniseries was generally well-received upon release, and today is largely considered to be one of the most influential Batman stories.
Currently, The Dark Knight Returns has only been adapted in animated form, with a two-part adaptation having been released between 2012 and 2013. The animation features voice work from Peter Weller as Batman and Michael Emerson as Joker. The Dark Knight Returns Parts One & Two can be found on DVD, Blu-ray and digital streaming services.
Source: The Beard and The Bald Movie Podcast, via Screen Rant
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