When Agents of SHIELD producer Geoffery Colo tweeted the cast and crew were working on another project…well, I doubt anyone would have predicted a DC crossover.
But that’s basically what we got: a video of SHIELD star Jeff Ward as Batman.
No, Ward isn’t taking over as the Caped Crusader. The video parody aims to raise money for entertainment professionals out of work due to the ongoing pandemic.
Check out “Fund the Bat” below.
The 7+ minute clip shows Ward as Batman, who’s fallen on hard times due to COVID-19. Apparently, Alfred’s caught the virus, leaving Batman to manage Wayne Enterprises’ funds on his own. His following bankruptcy results in a number of downgrades in the superhero’s life. (Goodbye, Batmobile. Hello, car with a Batman sticker.)
In addition to Ward, “Fund the Bat” brought in Agents of SHIELD EP Jeffery Bell and composer Bear McCreary. Bell wrote and directed the short, while McCreary composed the music.
While the video keeps things light, “Fund the Bat” wants to acknowledge the real financial difficulty the pandemic caused the industry. The official GoFundMe page reads:
Though the Batman needs money, many others need it far worse.
That’s why every dollar donated to Fund the Bat is going to the Motion Picture Television Fund’s Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
Please give generously to support the thousands of out of work carpenters, hair stylists, drivers, make up artists, painters, set dressers, electricians, editors, grips, camera people, actors, writers and directors who created the shows and movies that have kept you entertained during this difficult time. Your gift is tax deductible.
Several Agents of SHIELD stars shared the video on social and encouraged people to donate. You can view the tweets from Clark Gregg and Ming-Na Wen below.
You can donate to the Fund the Bat campaign here.
