Batman: Caped Crusader Is A Must-Watch After Sebastian Stan’s The Batman 2 Role

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Sebastian Stan has been confirmed to play Harvey Dent in the upcoming The Batman Part II, adding to the excitement surrounding the movie. While fans wait for its 2027 release, director Matt Reeves has a Batman series available on Prime Video, and a second season is already being planned.

Although several villains are planned for The Batman 2, Sebastian Stan as Harvey Dent is generating the most excitement. Many fans believe Stan is ideally suited for the role, and the way director Matt Reeves will depict the character – including the circumstances surrounding his injury – has sparked a lot of interesting theories, making the movie highly anticipated.

We might have a good idea of where Harvey Dent’s story could go, thanks to Matt Reeves’ animated series, Batman: Caped Crusader. Season 2 is expected in 2026, and since Reeves is involved as an executive producer, it’s worth watching before The Batman Part II to get a sense of what’s to come.

Batman: Caped Crusader Is A Spiritual Successor To Batman: The Animated Series

Image via Prime Video

Though Batman: Caped Crusader isn’t directly connected to The Batman beyond a small contribution from Matt Reeves, it feels like a prequel to Batman: The Animated Series. Considering the 90s cartoon is widely considered a classic, it’s understandable why DC wanted to create something similar.

Bruce Timm, the creator of Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS), has contributed to many Batman projects over the years, but Batman: Caped Crusader feels closest in spirit to his original work. The new show embraces a 1940s visual style and the same dark, intense atmosphere that made BTAS so beloved, while also being willing to try bold new things.

Caped Crusader reimagines familiar villains in exciting new ways. Characters like the Penguin and Harley Quinn feel completely revitalized, and supporting characters such as Harvey Bullock and Renee Montoya have significantly expanded roles compared to other adaptations.

The series also includes lesser-known villains like Firebug, Onomatopoeia, and Gentleman Ghost, which contributes to the show’s unique identity, for better or worse. Despite some uneven episodes, Batman: Caped Crusader is actually quite good – much better than some critics have said. It’s definitely worth watching, particularly if you were a fan of Batman: The Animated Series.

Harvey Dent Is The Most Interesting Character In Batman: Caped Crusader

Image via Prime Video

The show features a lot of interesting characters, but Harvey Dent is particularly memorable. He’s often seen as one of Batman’s most compelling villains, and he plays a significant role in Caped Crusader, appearing throughout the first season and becoming central to the storyline in the final episodes.

I’ve always loved Harvey Dent’s story, and this take on him is really interesting. Like a lot of Batman stories, he begins as someone who genuinely wants to help the city, running for mayor with good intentions. But what sets this version apart is that you see his flaws and willingness to cut corners right from the beginning. He wasn’t perfect even before he became Two-Face – he was always a bit of a rule-bender when it came to getting his campaign off the ground, and it makes his fall that much more tragic.

His descent into becoming a villain felt believable and emotionally impactful. Like the version from the 90s cartoon, Harvey Dent was a highlight of Caped Crusader season 1. The final two episodes, which centered on his transformation into Two-Face, were particularly strong and demonstrate why the show successfully carries on the legacy of Batman: The Animated Series.

Audiences initially connected with the character because of his existing friendship with Bruce. Now, he’s become the most compelling villain in the series. While the Joker’s arrival might shift that, whenever this character appeared on screen, the show was significantly more engaging, and it established a fantastic storyline for when he returns as Two-Face in season two.

The Batman Part II May Follow In Batman: Caped Crusader’s Footsteps & Shift Its Focus To Harvey Dent

Image via Prime Video

Details about the plot of The Batman Part II are still secret, but now that Sebastian Stan is playing Harvey Dent, the film might center around his story, similar to the animated series Batman: Caped Crusader. While Harvey’s character and what happens to him could be different, his importance to the overall story might be surprisingly similar in both projects.

If The Batman Part II focuses on a different villain, Harvey Dent could first appear as Gotham’s respected District Attorney and an ally to Bruce Wayne, with a relatively minor role at the beginning. Later in the movie, however, we might see more of his story develop, hinting at what’s to come for the character in Matt Reeves’ films.

It’s still unclear if the major injury to Harvey Dent will happen in The Batman 2, but even if it doesn’t, the film could begin setting up his story, much like it did with the Penguin. Either way, giving Harvey Dent a more prominent role as the story progresses seems like a good plan, especially since Caped Crusader has already shown that this approach can be successful.

The extended production of The Batman Part II makes it unclear what the overall vision is for Matt Reeves’ Batman world. However, it seems very likely that Sebastian Stan’s Harvey Dent will play a significant role in future installments. And based on what we’ve seen of Batman: Caped Crusader, that future looks promising.

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2026-01-23 17:03