While we wait for filmmaker Christopher Nolan (Inception, The Dark Knight, The Prestige, Batman Begins, Insomnia, Memento) to return to the Batman franchise (the third film isn't expected until the summer of 2012), Warner Bros. keeps interest in the DC Universe high through direct-to-video animated films under producer Bruce Timm (Justice League, Batman: The Animated Series). Warner Bros.' direct-to-DVD division, Warner Premiere, has released seven titles in four years: Superman/Doomsday in 2007, Justice League: The New Frontier and Batman: Gotham Knight in 2008, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies in 2009, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths this past February. The eighth entry in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies collection, Batman: Under the Red Hood, hits virtual and real video shelves July 27th.

From the description available online, the trailer, and a newly released clip, Batman: Under the Red Hood leaves the Red Hood's identity as a central mystery for Batman to discover. To talk about the Red Hood character from the DC Comics universe is to talk about who wears the mask and his relationship to Bruce Wayne/Batman. But rather than spoil that bit of information for anyone unfamiliar with the Red Hood from the comic books, let's just say that he isn't an entirely new character. He's key to Batman's run in the comic books, but not in any of the films.

What we can mention, though, is that comic book writer Judd Winick (Teen Titans, Green Arrow & Black Canary, Ween, among others), wrote the script for Batman: Under the Red Hood. For better or for worse (many fans thought the latter), Winick introduced the Red Hood and his origins to the DC Universe in a controversial story arc, "Under the Hood," that ran in Batman from February 2005 through April 2006. Since then, the Red Hood has been a recurring antagonist for Bruce Wayne/Batman. He also played a significant role in more recent issues as Dick Grayson (the first Robin) and Tim Drake (the third Robin) struggled over who would take Batman's cape and cowl in Bruce Wayne's prolonged absence from the DC universe.

Here's the first clip from Batman: Under the Red Hood:



Timm and his director, Brandon Vietti, selected well-regarded actors to provide the voices for key roles: Bruce Greenwood steps in to voice Bruce Wayne/Batman; Neil Patrick Harris voices Dick Grayson/Nightwing; and Jason Isaacs handles the voice work for longtime Batman nemesis Ra's al Ghul. Jensen Ackles, Dean Winchester on the CW's series, Supernatural, takes the center mike as the enigmatic Red Hood.

And in case you missed it, here's the trailer. Batman: Under the Red Hood is rated "PG-13 for violent content and some drug references."

So, are you excited, unexcited, or indifferent to the latest addition to DC's animated universe?