In its largest global simultaneous launch to date, Spotify will debut the new audio series Batman Unburied next month with nine separate adaptations to bring the podcast to listeners around the world in their own languages. The series is the first project to debut as part of Spotify's multi-year agreement with Warner Bros. and DC Comics.
When Batman Unburied drops on May 3, in addition to the English-language version there will also be eight adaptations of the original English-language script, developed for Brazil, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, and Mexico. Each iteration will feature local original talent and production teams, and the adapted scripts are specifically crafted to reflect the culture and language that Spotify says will remain true to the core story.
“With the global launch of Batman Unburied, we are excited to bring the iconic franchise and the legacy of Batman to our hundreds of millions of listeners around the world,” said Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s Chief Content and Advertising Business Officer. “Through our extraordinary partnership with Warner Bros. and DC, we have the unique opportunity to usher in a new era of the universally beloved DC Super Heroes through the world of audio, voiced by all-star casts.”
Created by Executive Producer David S. Goyer, Batman Unburied is described as a psychological thriller that will take listeners on a new journey deep into the mind of Bruce Wayne, complete with a slew of dark twists and turns with a number of classic Batman villains making an appearance. When audiences meet Bruce Wayne he is a forensic pathologist, working in the bowels of Gotham Hospital and tasked with examining the victims of The Harvester, a gruesome serial killer preying on Gotham’s citizens. Not only will Wayne be forced to face his own mental demons, but he will also have to overcome them to save the citizens of Gotham as his alter-ego Batman.
“The power of podcasts has never been more evident than it is with David Goyer’s spine chilling soundscape masterpiece that tells the transcendent story of the one and only Bruce Wayne,” said Ostroff.
Actor Winston Duke, known for his role in movies such as “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” will lead the U.S.-based cast. The roster of international Batmans will include actors Rocco Pitanga (Brazil), Dali Benssalah (France), Murathan Muslu (Germany), Amit Sadh (India), Ario Bayu (Indonesia), Claudio Santamaria (Italy), Ryohei Otani (Japan), and Alfonso Herrera (Mexico). Production for the series is currently underway in all markets.
"David Goyer, this amazing cast and the entire Batman Unburied team have created a Batman experience that stretches the narrative podcast medium to new levels along with your expectations on how immersive and compelling a Batman story can be,” said Peter Girardi, Executive VP of Alternative Programming for Warner Bros. Animation. “I could not have asked for a better way to kick off our creative partnership with Spotify."
DC Comics and Warner Bros. in June 2020 announced a multiyear deal to produce and distribute an original slate of narrative scripted podcasts based on a range of characters from Batman and Wonder Woman to Harley Quinn, Superman and the Joker. The partnership with Spotify — the first to involve the intellectual property of the entire DC Universe — will leverage iconic characters in new stand-alone podcast series.
Under terms of the deal, Spotify will have a first look at original scripted narrative DC podcasts, including new shows based on the vast universe of premier, iconic DC characters. Under the partnership, the initial slate of projects will also tap into Warner Bros.’ broader collection of titles to produce additional series. In addition to producing narratives based on existing characters and established franchises from across Warner Bros. and DC, the companies will also collaborate to create new programming from original intellectual property.