Batman vs Superman Preview

We all knew that Man of Steel was the start of bigger and hopefully better things between Warner Brothers Studios and their DC Comics properties. At the most recent Comic Con as we all well and know that the sequel would be titled Batman vs Superman. This was interesting as we have always heard of studios thinking about pitting these two massive characters that are so recognizable by the public against one another but up until now it has never happened. Director Zack Snyder has gone on to say that he drew from the popular comic book series "The Dark Knight Returns" when collaborating with David Goyer on the script but the biggest news coming from this project was the fact that it seems as if they are speeding up the process of including other members from the Justice League in an attempt to rival the success of Marvel with The Avengers. Gal Gadot had recently been cast in the film as none other then Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman and it also seems likely that The Flash will make a brief cameo in the film. Make no mistake, this is a knee jerk reaction to the success of Marvel and they are also trying to capitalize on the notion that movie going audiences seem okay with big cinematic universes now that connect multiple films together with more spectacular stories as well.

Even though this film seems to have more and more of a Justice League movie but Snyder and Goyer continue to insist that it is still the sequel to Man of Steel. Hell, it still has the minor characters like Lois Lane, Perry White in it as well. In the film we have to see the birth of Clark Kent. I know that maybe weird to hear but the person we saw in Man of Steel was not Clark Kent. Clark Kent is a facade who he chooses to wear to hide his true persona as the Last Son of Krypton. When viewers made complaints about Henry Cavill's performance in Man of Steel they frequently pointed out that he was not aloof or clumsy like previous incarnations of the character. That judgement is completely off base seeing as how Cavill's Superman was just that, he WAS Superman. There was no facade yet where he would appear aloof or clumsy. In the sequel, we would have to see Cavill play the duality of Superman and Clark Kent seeing as how in Man of Steel he had gotten a job at the Daily Planet.Then comes in the other fact that the villains present in the sequel will be from Superman's gallery of rogues. Lex Luthor is the clear cut favorite as he could come in easily and pit Metropolis against him for the destruction of the city in his fight against General Zod. However, he would still need a physical threat and something on a much bigger scale to really make this movie different from previous Superman vs Lex films. Thus, I think it is likely that Lex will be the creator of Metallo from the junk left from Zod's ships and the wreckage of the world machines.

The other aspect of the film that will be interesting is how much does Ben Affleck's Batman factor into it. All that we know for sure is that he will be an older Batman who has been retired and a bit more world-weary. My honest gut feeling is that this is the start of the Justice League, but like Iron Man 2, it will still be focused on the titular character and in this case it is of course Superman. Batman and Wonder Woman will essentially be that of the SHIELD presence in Iron Man 2. Batman and Wonder Woman come to Metropolis under their alter egos, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince respectively. As they arrive to Metropolis, they investigate this "Superman" figure that saved the city sometime ago under the believe that he could be a horrible threat to humanity or it's greatest savior as they are currently the leaders of a secret society tentatively known as "The Justice League". At some point, most likely due to Superman wanted to go on his own and be closed off to the world he will push away Batman leading the two to come to a fight in which they essentially work out their differences. I almost can guarantee that Batman will also "win" the fight as Superman will still be distraught from taking his first life, and the last remaining Kryptonian aside from himself leading him to set a rule where he does not kill. Thus, knowing that Batman is still after all just a man he will be pulling his punches.

This would be an effective film for Superman while also effectively setting up future characters in this DC Cinematic Universe. Overall, I still think it is too quick of a build as they are hurrying it all up in a knee jerk reaction to the success of Marvel. Batman and Superman are known commodities among film audiences whereas Wonder Woman has never been on the big screen, so putting her in this film makes sense from certain story stand points but the regular film viewer will have no idea who she is and presumably write her off as Bruce Wayne's newest girlfriend. It is also rumored that the film could feature other members of the Justice League in a small cameo kind of role, with Flash being the most likely. Which can work if it is just something where he comes zooming by witnessing a gigantic fight where Superman does a noble act saving the Earth. All in all, it is still too early to say much more about the film as we still really know nothing. All of this is just how I think it can be done well and simple predictions.