Batman vs. Superman is now two years away from release. Here is everything we currently know about the next DC Comics movie.
When Man of Steel arrived, fans were promised the start of a DC cinematic universe to rival Marvel's. At the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con, the announcement was made that Man of Steel 2 would be more than just a sequel, and instead plant the seeds of a Justice League movie. While the film still doesn't appear to have an official title, here is everything we currently know about Batman vs. Superman.
The Story
Zack Snyder is co-writing the story with David Goyer (who will then pen the screenplay), which is said to draw some inspiration from The Dark Knight Returns, the classic story by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, and Lynn Varley which climaxed with an impressive street fight between Batman and Superman. While there are likely going to be some similarities, Goyer has stated that the film won't be an adaptation of that work. It seems possible that some of their conflict may stem from the controversial ending to Man of Steel, as Mr. Goyer promised, "we will be dealing with this in coming films...He isn't fully-formed as Superman in [Man of Steel], and he will have to deal with the repercussions of that in the next one."
As for what else Batman vs. Superman has in store, well...it looks like we're going to get a gathering of heroes. The next film after this one has officially been revealed as a Justice League movie, which will also be directed by Zack Snyder. We figure that whatever differences Bats and Supes have with each other in this one should be resolved by the time they get around to Super Friends: The Movie in 2018.
The Cast
Henry Cavill will return as Superman and Ben Affleck will play Batman/Bruce Wayne. Affleck fits the mold of the "older and wiser" Batman who "bears the scars of a seasoned crimefighter" that Warner Bros. was looking for, which neatly sidesteps the need to re-establish Batman's origins on screen once again.
While the first live-action meeting of Batman and Superman is historic enough, Batman vs. Superman goes even further, by introducing Wonder Woman into the mix, played by Gal Gadot. There's no word yet on just how large her role in the film will be, but this will mark the first appearance of Wonder Woman on the big screen, and her first live-action appearance (not counting an unaired NBC television pilot from a few years back) since Lynda Carter hung up her bracelets in 1979.
At least one villain has finally been cast, though. Jesse Eisenberg is taking on the role of Superman's arch-foe, Lex Luthor. David Goyer has stated that "Lex [Luthor] in this world is more a Bill Gates or Rupert Murdoch like character. He's probably a multi, multi billionaire. He's not a crook." While this quote comes from an interview that was conducted well before the Batman vs. Superman announcement, Goyer's vision for Lex would certainly put him in the same social circles as someone like Bruce Wayne. Zack Snyder describes Luthor as "a complicated and sophisticated character whose intellect, wealth and prominence position him as one of the few mortals able to challenge the incredible might of Superman."
Jeremy Irons will play Batman's right-hand man, Alfred Pennyworth. While we don't know how much from previous incarnations of the character Irons will draw on, Alfred is described by Zack Snyder as "Bruce Wayne’s most trusted friend, ally and mentor, a noble guardian and father figure. He is an absolutely critical element in the intricate infrastructure that allows Bruce Wayne to transform himself into Batman."
Recently, the film has added three supporting castmembers in unidentified (but not comic book based) roles. Holly Hunter, Callan Mulvey, and Tao Okamoto have joined the cast in roles created specifically for the film.
The film has apparently also cast Ray Fisher as Vic Stone...who is also known as Justice League member, Cyborg.
Unconfirmed rumors indicate that the word is out for Dick Grayson, in his secret identity as Nightwing, to make an appearance, with Adam Driver's name initially having surfaced as a contender for the role. However, Driver has denied any involvement with the project, and his current commitments to the new Star Wars trilogy now safely rule him out.
The Rest
Principal photography is scheduled to begin any minute now. However, some second-unit filming has already commenced, including at a football game between rival college teams from Metropolis and Gotham (this might be where Vic Stone/Cyborg is introduced), as well as locations in Illinois which have doubled as the Kent farm. Kevin Smith has seen a photo of Ben Affleck in a Batman costume, which he describes as something "you have not seen...in a movie before." Here's hoping that means it has some blue and grey...and maybe a yellow oval.
Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, and Diane Lane will also reprise their Man of Steel roles. Batman vs. Superman is produced by Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder. Hans Zimmer will return to provide the score for the movie. However, Zack Snyder recently said that they'd want Mr. Zimmer back "as long as he'll have us" but seemed to confirm that Zimmer wouldn't reuse any previous Batman themes, in order to distinguish this version of the character from Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight films, which Zimmer also scored.
Batman vs. Superman will open in the US on May 6th, 2016.
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Disqus - noscript
... Besides the Ben Affleck as Batman part ... It all sounds GREAT!
If they left Batman out and replaced Zack Snyder this would be a great movie!
Agreeing with the "it sounds great except for Ben Affleck" thing. He doesn't fit the mold of an "older and seasoned Batman" let alone just "Batman."
Seriously aren't you people forgetting one thing about Batman. He's a figure that can be constantly reinvented, this version is gonna be different deal with it.
Holy links, Batman!
Zack Syder, please do not change wonder womans origin. Kryptonian amazons is the worst idea. Do not do it. Do not power down wonder woman. Stay true to the comics do not screw wonder woman up. If you want to make the greek gods aliens fine, but not from krypton. Give us the wonder woman we all know and love...if anyone can pull this off it is you, but no kryptonian amazons or de-powered wonder woman. I would rather you not use her than see you screw her whole history up. Stay true to wonder woman.
It's stupid because never ever in her origin has any writer turned her into a Krptionian throughout her 73 something years. I also never ran into any alien versions. That means she would have the same weakness as a Kryptonian same powers and same body structure. No connection to magic and the greek side of DC. ugh smh
True. ZS is pretty flat when it comes to plots and BA isn't great for batman. I personally would build upon the cosmic aspect of DC since Earth was just attacked by aliens. Introduce more of them. Show that Martins and GL were looking at the battle, seeing Earth already has a guardian
it might be a bad version though
a version that has to be able to be on his A game at all times in order to live in a world of aliens and gods? (like the comics) I think we're going to see the best Batman ever in this movie. the world around him is only going to bring out his strengths and true potential
"Here's hoping that means it has some blue and grey...and maybe a yellow oval. " let's hope not. These movies are modern, not Silver Agey.
They wouldn't be Kryptonian Amazons. At best, they could be descendants of Kara Zor-El 18000 years removed from their ancestor. That doesn't make them Kryptonian in the least. Kara's Kryptonian DNA would degrade after 18000 years of mixing with human DNA.