Concept art from a cancelled Batman game has surfaced online, sparking all kinds of speculation about what could have been. Freelance concept artist Goran Bukvic released the drawings on ArtStation just recently, and now they're doing the rounds online.
So why has it got people talking? Well, for starters, the artwork depicts an older Bruce Wayne. He's still wearing the iconic suit, but he's got a grizzled grey beard — suggesting that the game would have taken place in the future. Meanwhile, other drawings show a younger Batman — a new Batman — who's decked out in what looks like a more technologically advanced suit. It sports a red Bat symbol, which fans of 1999's Batman Beyond (or Batman of the Future, depending on where you live) animated series might find interesting.
In Batman Beyond, an elderly Bruce Wayne is forced to retire from his role as Gotham's guardian. He recruits a teenager named Terry McGinnis to be the new Batman, and Terry ends up with a futuristic suit not too dissimilar from the outfit that's shown in this concept art.
Could there have been a Batman Beyond-based game in the works at one point? We might never know for sure. In the post, Bukvic doesn't reveal any details on the project itself — just that the art was for a "cancelled game a long time ago". There's some speculation that this art is linked to Warner Bros. Montreal's cancelled Batman: Arkham Knight sequel, but again, there's currently no confirmation.
Anyway, as cool as this concept art is, we're going to have to make do with Gotham Knights and Rocksteady's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Both games will supposedly release next year.
Would you have been up for a game featuring an older Batman? Let your imagination run wild in the comments section below.
[source artstation.com, via twitter.com]
Comments 28
Man, imagine a world with a Batman Beyond game. One can only dream.
Batman ran it's course during the PS3 days for me. I know there's a lot of fans. At least this was a different look for the guy.
I would absolutely love a dark and gritty Ninja Turtles game made by Rocksteady. It seems like it would have been right up their alley.
With that beard we could have got Batman BOYond.
Man I saw that younger Batman concept art and the Batman Beyond theme song instantly started playing in my head. I'd definitely buy it if they made it.
Kinda reminds me of Rob Zombies Halloween 2 when Michael Myers had a beard. Made sense for him though I guess... can’t imagine him taking the time to shave in between murder sprees 😂
Batman doesn’t have any excuse though.
This was just his covid beard.
@Constable_What Definitely. Batman Beyond was one of my favorite cartoons.
Batman Beyond would work brilliantly as a PS5 game, the raytracing would totally help with the neon soaked Gotham aesthetic.
Honestly it would have been cool to have this as a true finale to the Arkham games. Kind of blending Batman Beyond into the series. Call it Batman: Arkham Beyond.
Looks like Bruce's leg is in a bat-brace! Could've been fun, playing as old man Wayne.
@Deadlyblack maybe Batman: Beyond Arkham, but in any case, a great idea!
Concept art usually does nothing for me, but this looks bad ass.
why....in the world....would Batman ever wear a beard? like, imagine James Harden trying to be Batman lol. it'd be a BIT of a giveaway...
The dark knight returns...batman comes out of retirement (looked old and grizzled in the graphic novel)..would make an awesome game or the long halloween...
@Northern_munkey I was thinking of the exactly the same novel. Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller(?)
@J2theEzzo ha ya first thing i noticed and was going to post about it but ya beat me to it ... BAM*!... bat-brace haha glorious!
I wish I hadn't seen this cause I really would have liked to play it ☹️
Cool beard Bruce. Hey, you know who has one just like that... Oh my god!
That Batman Beyond suit is sick. I'm guessing Bruce is either in retirement and coming out of it or its open he's Batman as it shouldn't take much to put two and two together with that beard.
A Batman Beyond game was rumoured to be in development before Arkham Knight came out
God of War 5 is deterrent example, why geront hero is stupid idea. I'm really glad Batman Beyond got scraped, coz no one wants to play his hero on retirement...
Although Knight was a disappointment in many aspects, and I was burned out afterwards, I am very much ready for a new Batman game. I don't mean like Gotham Knights (which looks cool to be fair, and Bruce is definitely appearing as the Talon), but another Arkham style game is needed. Or maybe a Nightwing game in Bludhaven. Or maybe a Teen Titans game...
A cyberpunk theme Batman Beyond game for PS5 would of been awesome.
Looking mighty ripped there into old age birdman! Proof it’s only ever a muscle suit
Bearded batman... No wonder it got canceled
Bat of Man.
You get one gadget the entire game, the batarang.
@Telekill I would kill for that turtles game!! But it has to be based on the OG and the OG live action film, not the Nick reboot. That, I would seriously preorder. I'm pathetic, and I don't care!
@NEStalgia We're on the same page. OG all the way.
@Ilovecoffee @WallyWest @Deadlyblack @nessisonett @SoulsBourne128 @Brydontk @Constable_What There's a chance in another reality or timeline we did get that Batman Beyond game, but we'll never find out...
Seriously though, I would have bought a Batman Beyond game day one, loved the cartoon as a child (and still do as an adult).
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