A new Batman movie...based on toys?

Transformers, G.I. Joe, The Lego Movie, we have reached a point where we no longer should  be surprised when a movie comes out based on a line of toys. Yet I still can't help it after DC Comics announced a new line of animated shorts and an animated movie based on lines by Fisher-Price and Mattel. 

Debuting on May 12th, Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts will be based on the Batman Unlimited toy line by Mattel. The movie will include characters like Batman, Nightwing, The Flash, Green Arrow, Red Robin, and the Penguin. The movie will be released direct to video. There will also be a sequel later this year.

Warner Bros will also be releasing the DC Super Friends based on a line of toys by Fisher-Price. This will be a series of 15 animated shorts, all about 3 minutes long. This will include characters from the Justice League.

The concept of basing a movie off of a toy based off of a comic book character seems rather peculiar, especially after seeing toys based off of movies for years. But when you think about it, it seems to make sense. The line of toys probably reaches a larger demographic than the comic books.