Everything You Need to Know About Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice

Warning: This article contains potential spoilers for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, the Justice League movie, and more.

We always knew that Man of Steel would be the beginning of a new DC Comics cinematic universe. What we didn't know was that its sequel would be the movie that really introduced the rest of the DC Universe. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice isn't Man of Steel 2, that's for sure, and it's shaping up to be much more than just a Dark Knight Returns inspired hero vs. hero slugfest.

In fact, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is going to have to do all the heavy lifting that solo movies would ordinarily do, as it will introduce new versions of Batman and Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and possibly quite a few others (including the Flash and Robin). By the time the Justice League movie rolls around, you won't have to learn how the team formed, as it looks like this one will have gotten that out of the way for you.

So, while you wait for Batman v. Superman's March 25th, 2016 release date to roll around, we've got everything you need to know...and then some!

The Story

Zack Snyder co-wrote the story with David Goyer, and Chris Terrio (Argo) came in to help write the screenplay. The story draws 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 looks increasingly likely 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. There's a whole mess of DC Comics superhero movies on the slate, including Justice League and Justice League 2, both of which will 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. 

And speaking of all those characters...

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 v. Superman: Dawn of Justice 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. We do know that the character's origin will follow the recent New 52 reboot, so she's the daughter of Zeus and Queen Hippolyta.

Here's your first look at Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman:

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 v. Superman: Dawn of Justice 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."

As for other potential villains? Well...there are indications now that Brainiac is the guy manipulating Batman and Superman into fighting each other, and once his villainous presence is revealed to the world, it will lead directly into the first Justice League movie. We haven't verified this ourselves, but it would make sense.

[related article: Everything You Need to Know About the Justice League Movie]

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. Scoot McNairy has an unspecified role, too. Speculation on his part has ranged from Morgan Edge to Jimmy Olsen to Hal Jordan...we're hoping he's Blue Beetle, but wouldn't count on that.

Ray Fisher will play Vic Stone...who is also known as Justice League member, Cyborg. He's also scheduled to get a solo movie in 2020.

After a year of playing games with the press, it has finally been confirmed that Jason Momoa is playing Aquaman. There is also an Aquaman solo movie in development.

Jena Malone has a role in the movie, although what it is hasn't been revealed. We're fairly certain that she's playing Carrie Kelley, the female Robin who was introduced in The Dark Knight Returns comic, though.

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. Maybe this is Scoot McNairy's role. We have no clue.

The Rest

Principal photography began in Detroit in the spring of 2014, and will continue in Illinois, Africa, and the South Pacific. Some second-unit filming already took place, 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. Spy photos from the sets are starting to emerge around the web, as well, including shots of the LexCorp headquarters and a Superman statue under construction.

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, when Zack Snyder stated that they'd want Mr. Zimmer back "as long as he'll have us" he also 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.

And speaking of those Dark Knight movies, one thing that Snyder is now definitely carrying over from Nolan is the use of IMAX cameras. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice will be partially shot in IMAX, including for the Wayne family murder flashbacks.

Keep up with all our Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice news right here.

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