Summary

Iconic actor Lance Reddick’s final TV role is voicing Lex Luthor in
Kite Man: Hell Yeah!
animated spin-off series.
Kite Man, a lesser-known DC villain, is set to shine in his own animated show featuring his kite-related powers.
Warner Bros. has a slew of new animated DC projects in the works, including
Blue Beetle, Creature Commandos
, and a
Watchmen
movie adaptation.

While film fans are still mourning the untimely passing of actor Lance Reddick, his last ever TV role has been revealed. News broke on March 17 this year that the acclaimed actor, best known for his roles in The Wire, the John Wick franchise, and numerous voice roles in movies, TV, and video games, passed away at the age of 60. As well as an appearance in the new John Wick spin-off, Ballerina, and two other movies, Reddick also recorded lines for a new TV series, based on a cult DC comic book.

Kite Man: Hell Yeah! is an animated spin-off series from the animated Max series Harley Quinn series (staring Kaley Cuoco as Harley). Reddick will be voicing the iconic DC villain Lex Luthor in the first season of the upcoming show, Collider reveals. Lex Luthor was previously voiced by Giancarlo Esposito in Harley Quinn, but Lance Reddick takes over the role for the Kite Man spin-off.

Harley Quinn Release Date November 29, 2019 Seasons 4 Studio DC Universe Franchise DC Expand

One of DC Comics’ lesser-known characters, until his appearance in Harley Quinn, Kite Man’s powers are exactly as the name suggests. With no actual powers, mutations, or magical abilities, Kite Man is the villainous version of Batman, although instead of a mansion, a private butler, and countless gadgets, Kite Man has a kite. The new series was announced in 2022, and is expected to release on Max on July 18, 2024. No doubt DC fans cannot wait to see what the late, great Lance Reddick brings to the iconic role of Lex Luthor.

More Animated DC Projects Are in the Works

Kite Man: Hell Yeah! follows DC’s long-run of successful animated movies and series. While their live-action films have, naturally, found more mainstream success, some of the best DC Comics movies are in animation. The new show is also one of many new animated projects for DC. While some new shows like Kite Man: Hell Yeah! and the upcoming fifth season of Harley Quinn are set in their own universe, several of the new animated shows will take place in the new DC Universe continuity (led by James Gunn).

The most recently announced new animated series is Blue Beetle, which will give Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) a shot at redemption following the live-action Blue Beetle movie’s moderate reception but poor box office turnout. The new show is being overseen by Miguel Puga (The Casagrandes), with Cristian Martinez (Women of the Movement) writing the scripts. Warner Bros. hope that the new show’s success could lead to Jaime Reyes returning to the big screen in the future.

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Also inside the confines of the new DCU is the Creature Commandos series. Based on the underappreciated DC Comics team, this animated series is being written by James Gunn. Some of the show’s cast have already been revealed, with Anya Chalotra, Russ Bain, Viola Davis, Sean Gunn, David Harbor, Indira Varma, and Alan Tudyk all lending their voices to the series.

Finally, a new, two-part animated Watchmen movie is also in the works by Warner Bros. The new adaptation of Alan Moore’s seminal comic book series recently released its first trailer. However, the new adaptation has drawn criticism from many fans, who are questioning the need for another Watchmen adaptation.

Kite Man: Hell Yeah!
flies onto Max on July 18, 2024.