September 26, 2024
The Batman fan film, THE OATH, has reached one million views on YouTube. The fan-made prequel is set one week before the events of Tim Burton’s Batman (1989). Rather than featuring the Caped Crusader in the spotlight, THE OATH focuses on one night in the life of Gotham City police officer Sgt. Frank Kelly (played by Jerry Morgan).
The Oath has won top honors at several film festivals, including wins for Best U.S. Fan Film, Best Lighting, and Best Portrayal of an Existing Character, and the cast won for Best Performances at the Fan Fiction Film & Screenplay Festival in Toronto. Released in late 2022, the movie has also racked up nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Fan Film.
The 18-minute short film was filmed in Virginia, has collected its share of positive reviews, and was even labeled “studio quality” by Comic Book Resources (CBR).
So what does the one-million view milestone mean to the filmmaker and cast?
“I was excited when we hit 10,000 views, and then 100,000,” said filmmaker Johnny K. “To see our film reach a million views is unreal. This was two years of work for a non-profit passion project that no one will ever see a dollar from. I had a small story I wanted to tell about a Gotham City cop, set one week before Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) – a movie I’ve loved since I was a kid. I’m just happy that The Oath has found its audience and that our cast and crew are being recognized for their hard work.”
“I’m so thankful for the ability to participate on the team at Kaotica Studios with Johnny and the rest of the team,” said actor Jerry Morgan, who plays Sgt. Frank Kelly. “It was a great time making the film and seeing what it’s turned into. I’m just floored. Thank you to the fans who took time out of their day to watch our film. I hear it’s better the second time, so let’s bump those numbers up!”
“It’s an awesome experience and we’ve gotten so much positive feedback,” said Batman actor Guillermo Mejía. “It still hits me that it came out as well as it did. We had a really small group of dedicated people with big ambitions to get this done and make it look good. It makes me proud, awe-struck, and a little giddy to see so many people really enjoy it. Thank you so much!”
“Never did I imagine that I would be in a production that would be viewed a million times, win awards, and get to work with some amazing, talented people,” said actor Oz Keenum, who plays one of Carl Grissom’s mobsters – an original character named Jimmy Atlas. “I’m still floored by the level of quality of this production and the feedback we’ve been getting. Kudos to the whole cast and crew, especially to Johnny K. for the amazing vision he has for stories he wants to tell, and I honestly I can’t wait for the next one. I know you all want to see more of this Batman series. Keep asking; maybe we’ll get it!”
“It was a great honor to be a part of this film and I’m so glad that everybody has found us worthy of having represented the Burton-verse from Batman (1989),” said actor Chris Konke who played officer Joey Barnes. “I’ve actually read all the comments that everyone has left on the movie, and we greatly appreciate the feedback and really just the general camaraderie of Batman fanhood. Thanks again everyone!”
The Oath premiered in December 2022 and can be seen on YouTube, along with several behind-the-scenes features on the making of the movie, including costumes, interviews, music, outtakes, and more.
Did you like The Oath? Be sure to follow @KaoticaStudios on all social media for more! And be sure to check out this “THANK YOU” video from our cast!
* Batman and all related marks, logos, and characters are solely owned by DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment. This non-profit fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with DC Comics or Warner Bros. Entertainment. *
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