Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Batman Beyondsuccessfully builds uponBatman: The Animated Serieswhile standing on its own in the DC Animated Universe. The show moves into the future without losing its creative edge.
But fans of the acclaimed animated series might be surprised to learn that the iconic villain, Mr. Freeze, almost had a very different depiction than the one showed in the series.
While the episode featuring Freeze,Heart of Ice, went on to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing, the initial plan for the character inBatman Beyondcould have deviated from that well-established legacy.
Batman Beyond‘s Mr. Freeze Arc Could Have Taken a Wrong Turn
According to the initial script ofBatman Beyond, Terry McGinnis (the new Batman), would have stumbled upon a gruesome scene while grabbing a drink from the Batcave refrigerator: the severed head of Mr. Freeze.
This shocking image was intended as an edgy introduction for the character, a way to distance the show from the campier elements of the originalBatmanseries. However, the plan backfired spectacularly.Paul Dinistated inBatman Beyondsource book –Toyfare Magazine #20(viaDC Animated Universe Wiki):
“We were gonna have an episode where Bruce Wayne opens his freezer, Mr. Freeze’s head is in there in a jar, and he just says ‘Someday, Wayne. Someday I will turn your bones to ice, I will…’ and Bruce just slams the door. That’s what we wanted to do, but we’re doing something else.”
Thankfully, the showrunners realized how awful that would be. Not only is it super gruesome, but it totally disrespects a well-liked character like Mr. Freeze. They quickly scrapped the severed head idea, deeming it an“unfitting”and“embarrassing”end for such a beloved character.
DC Art Shows How Michael Keaton’s Batman, Christopher Reeve’s Superman, Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman Team up Would Look Like
In its place, Dini and Alan Burnett crafted a far more compelling arc for Mr. Freeze. Their revised plan, introduced in the fifth episode titledMeltdown, showcased a more relatable version of the villain.
TheMeltdownEpisode was a MoreFitting Return for Mr. Freeze
Introduced in the aptly titled episodeMeltdown, the revised plot offered a more complex look into the villain’s character. The focus shifted to Derek Powers, an evil industrialist facing a deadly illness. Desperate to survive, Powers tries to clone a new body for himself.
Mr. Freeze ends up being the guinea pig for this risky experiment. At first, it looks like it works out fine, and Victor Fries attempts to live a normal life.
But soon, he realizes it’s all gone wrong, and the ones he trusted have betrayed him. Seeking vengeance, the villainous persona of Mr. Freeze resurfaces.
“He has this genetic gift of being this big f**king dude”: Neither Christian Bale Nor Michael Keaton Will Ever be the Perfect Batman for Zack Snyder
Fans can be glad that Mr. Freeze didn’t meet such a grisly end. Instead, he returned in a more suitable and intricate manner in theMeltdownepisode.
WatchBatman Beyondon Max.
Shreya Jha
Articles Published :1042
Meet Shreya, FandomWire’s go-to Pop-Culture Writer. She holds a master’s degree in Journalism and a pop culture obsession that rivals even the most die-hard ‘Star Wars’ and Marvel fans.Her articles have been published in Animated Times, Creator Mail, and The Luxxe Mag. When Shreya’s not busy dishing out hot takes, she is lost in the world of rom-coms.
