‘Batman vs. Superman’ Delayed to 2016; Up Against Unannounced Marvel Movie

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

The rumors surrounding Warner Bros.’ unofficially titled Batman vs. Superman movie have been at a fever pitch lately. Rumors (and “speculation”) ranging from a Kryptonian Wonder Woman to Denzel Washington as Lex Luthor (or Green Lantern) to Jason Momoa as Aquaman.

For clarification, the only things officially confirmed about Batman vs. Superman is that Zack Snyder (Man of Steel) will direct the film from a screenplay written by David. S Goyer (Batman Begins). Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne are reprising their roles from Man of Steel. Joining them are Ben Affleck as Batman and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. Batman vs. Superman was expected to release in the already crowded summer of 2015, but now it’s been delayed.

Today, Warner Bros. announced it would be moving the release date for their untitled Man of Steel sequel to May 6th, 2016. That’s nearly a year after its initial release date of June 17th, 2015.

Here’s the official press release:

BURBANK, CA – January 17, 2014 – Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that the release of Zack Snyder’s untitled Superman/Batman film has been moved to May 6, 2016, allowing the filmmakers time to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story. The decision was made following the shift of the start of production to second quarter of this year. The Studio has also set a July 17, 2015, worldwide release date for its as-yet-untitled all-new Peter Pan adventure. Joe Wright will direct the epic live-action film about the boy who would nevewouldr grow up, created by J.M. Barrie. The dual date announcement was made by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

In short, the start of production was unexpectedly delayed and pushing back the release date is to ensure the filmmakers have the time required for what will likely be a demanding shoot. Earlier today Batman-News ran a story claiming Ben Affleck had been injured on set and it was because of this production was pushed back. Deadline has since reached out to a Warner Bros. studio exec who debunked the story, saying, “We just want to do it right and need the time.”



Moving Batman vs. Superman back actually does more for Joe Wright’s Pan, which, had it stayed in its original release slot of June 26th, 2015, would’ve almost certainly been crushed by FOX’s Fantastic Four and Paramount’s Terminator.

The juggling of Batman vs. Superman‘s release date changes the competition the film will face upon its release. No longer being pitted against Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Batman vs. Superman will now square off against FOX’s X-Men: Apocalypse, which releases the following weekend. Then, the weekend after that, The Amazing Spider-Man 3 is expected in theaters.

Perhaps most importantly, though, Batman vs. Superman will go head-to-head with an as-yet-unannounced Marvel movie. After all, that May weekend has been staked out by Marvel for years. Without an Iron Man or Avengers movie in that slot, will Marvel blink and change the date of their unannounced film? Time will tell.

What do you think about the delay, Screen Ranters? Are you disappointed that you won’t be able to see Batfleck for another year? What Marvel movie do you think will go up against Batman vs. Superman? Let us know in the comments.

Man of Steel 2/Batman vs. Superman hits theaters May 6th, 2016.

Sauce: http://screenrant.com/batman-vs-superman-delayed-2016/

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[TheHobbitofDune]

Good, good... slow and steady always wins the race. This will also mean that there won't be any huge (keyword: huge) competition for BvS when it finally arrives. If it was supposed to come out in 2015, it would have probably been overshadowed by arguments pitting it against Avengers II. Now there can instead be discussions of the movie on it's own terms instead.

[RLYHYPERGUY]

I'm slightly disappointed because I was extremely curious to see what they'd do, but I'm glad they're giving themselves more time. Hopefully they use it wisely.

What really bugs me though is that we might have to wait longer to see the new Batsuit. 

[Darth Scorpious]

It honestly doesn't  bother me in the slightest. I loved the man of steel I grew up watching Christopher Reeves as superman and didn't think anyone could do the job as well as him but Henry Cavill was amazing but then they announced the sequel was with batman and Ben Affleck was batman. Then the rumours stared like Justin Beeber as Robin and the excitement just went out of the announcement. But I did read/hear that Robert Downey jr won't do another Iron Man film but he has signed up for 2 more Avenger films so Marvell could be realising Avengers 3 that same year

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

‘Batman vs. Superman’: Jen Garner Praises New Batsuit; Joaquin Phoenix Eyed for Lex Luthor?

Thanks to a year-long release date delay, it’s almost exhausting to now talk about Batman vs. Superman  - or Superman-Batman, Batman/Superman, “Untitled Superman-Batman Project,” Man of Steel 2 or whatever it is we’re calling it before somebody announces something official – especially with the knowledge that this conversation will now be lasting another two years. But here we are.

Today we at least have something a little more solid to report than the recent trend of wild character and casting rumors that sites all got from differing “inside sources” who can’t all be correct in what they’re saying. In that context, “a little more solid” means hearing praise from one of the stars’ wife, as well as an echo of an old casting rumor – albeit from a much more solid source.


Jennifer Garner (wife of Ben Affleck) was attending the 2014 SAG Awards when she was accosted approached by ET‘s Rocsi Diaz, who managed to broach the subject of the new Batman costume in just the classiest way possible. See for yourself (it’s just the first 33 seconds of video):

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st2rpSsnDfE" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st2rpSsnDfE</a>

You stay classy, ET.

So far, we’ve heard rumor that the BatAffleck version of the costume will adhere to the designs of artists Alex Ross, with a classic grey-on-black spandex or padded color scheme. Kevin Smith has also seen the new suit, and said the following:

“You have not seen this costume on film before. For a comic book fan, it was mind-bending… Because every other movie does this Matrix-y black armor thing…There wasn’t a single nipple on this suit. I think everyone is just gonna be like ‘Holy S**t!’ It’s its own thing. We haven’t been down this path before. Even the hardest core [most skeptical] person will be like ‘Alright, I’m ready.’…It seemed like it was very [Redacted] influenced.”



Garner’s comments basically corroborate that yes, it’s awesome, while also adding the insight that it’s tight. Take that how you will.

If “Alex Ross” is indeed the name that Smith has in his redacted section of the quote above, then Ben Affleck’s Batman will be sporting a throwback costume not yet seen on film – begging the question of whether or not the confirmed Superman suit re-design will also be headed in a more classical direction. We’ll see.



In their report about the Batman vs. Superman release date delay, Variety claimed to have inside sources telling them that Joaquin Phoenix (Her) is still very much up for the role of Lex Luthor in the film. In fact, “ball in his court” was the idiom referenced to explain the current situation.

When Variety dropped the first Phoenix casting rumor late last year, fans were instantly intrigued by the notion that it was Lex he was playing. Despite the antics surrounding his 2010 mockumentary, I’m Still Here, Joaquin Phoenix has come back and proven his acting prowess with standout performances in The Master and Her. The actor seemed to inspire hopes of a much more layered and complex Lex, rather than the hammy megalomania that actors like Gene Hackman or Kevin Spacey brought to the role – an approach that people seemed to expect from the other Lex casting favorite, Breaking Bad‘s Bryan Cranston (i.e., that old “Walter White/Heisenberg rountine”).



Personally speaking, the necessary switch between corporate tycoon – possible political shark – and evil genius is something that I would entrust to no one less than Joaquin Phoenix. I can see him in a board room matching wits and veiled threats with Bruce Wayne; I can see him staring down Superman in a public form, or trying to break his neck in a rabid superpowered third-act battle. I also see in Phoenix the necessary components of Lex – the smugness, psychotic indifference, god-complex mania, and most importantly, total conviction that he is mankind’s savior against “The alien.”

Batman vs. Superman will be in theaters on May 6, 2016.

Sauce: http://screenrant.com/batman-superman-joaquin-phoenix-lex-luthor-costumes-jennifer-garner/2/

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[TheHobbitofDune]

Personally speaking, the necessary switch between corporate tycoon – possible political shark – and evil genius is something that I would entrust to no one less than Joaquin Phoenix. I can see him in a board room matching wits and veiled threats with Bruce Wayne; I can see him staring down Superman in a public form, or trying to break his neck in a rabid superpowered third-act battle. I also see in Phoenix the necessary components of Lex – the smugness, psychotic indifference, god-complex mania, and most importantly, total conviction that he is mankind’s savior against “The alien.”

YES. A thousand times yes. I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

‘Batman vs. Superman’ Rumor: There Will Be Two Batman Costumes



Batman vs. Superman has been delayed until 2016, which means we’ve got two more years of hearing rumor, hearsay, and assumption leak onto the internet before “fans” and mainstream moviegoers finally get to experience Zack Snyder’s vision of the most epic superhero team up of all time.

The latest rumor concerns what may (or may not ) be the new costumes (plural) that Ben Affleck’s Batman will wear in Batman vs. Superman - along with our own speculation about what Snyder and co. could be going for.

If RUMORS are not your thing – if speculating and discussing comic book movies is not something you enjoy – then read no further. If you ARE interested, then by clicking through you acknowledge that your here to play in the land of hearsay and talk shop with other invested fans down in our comments section. None of the following has been CONFIRMED.



The multiple Batman costume(s) rumor comes by way of Latino-Review, which reports the following:

"The more interesting thing I’ve heard is that Batman will actually wear 2 batsuits in the film, but where as Grey-and-Blue has already been designed and Affleck has worn it, the second Batsuit is more armored like the one in the Dark Knight Returns and Kingdom Come comics.

According to the source, the plating is silver/white. The plates are attached to a black undercloth. The plates doesn’t cover his entire body. We see the black undercloth at the joints. Supposedly, it looks incredible. Equally, or maybe even better-looking than the other suit and it’s leagues above and beyond Bale’s suit from what I’m told… I’m told you’ll see it in February/Early march."

This report puts yet another brush stroke on what is quickly becoming a pretty clear picture. First came Kevin Smith’s hints that Snyder had gone with a costume that’s never been done on film yet, but that comic books would love (suggesting a more classical comic book look instead of black body armor, like the movies). Next, came rumor that artist Alex Ross’s designs would be incorporated into the film (designs echoed by artist Jim Lee, who helped launch the contemporary New 52 Batman costume). Even Ben Affleck’s wife Jennifer Garner’s claims that the new suit is hard to peel off lent certain credit to us seeing a gray spandex version of the Dark Knight.


Batman by Jim Lee

However, so far the talk has been of gray-on-black classic design; Latino-Review‘s report points to a blue-and-gray classic design. So that’s a discrepancy to keep an eye on. As for the armor claim: it makes sense, and here’s why:

From the start Snyder and David S. Goyer (whose script is being re-written by Argo’s Chris Terrio, by the way) insisted they were drawing inspiration from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, which climaxed in one of the most famous Batman vs. Superman battles, ever. In that battle, Batman had to armor himself up for specialized Superman combat, and logic follows he’d have to do the same in Batman vs. Superman.

There’s also the factor of Jim Lee. Right now, overwhelming evidence points to Jim Lee (either the man himself or his designs) being the basis for this new onscreen interpretation of Batman. If that’s true (remember, we’re only speculating here), then Lee has already sketched the classic costume (with both black and blue cowls) and a Batman alloy armor that sounds very much in line with Latino-Review‘s description:





It would make sense to have Lee – one of the main architects of DC Entertainment’s synergy-minded New 52 reboot – being the creative basis for the new Batman costume. Again: not saying that’s what’s DEFINITELY happening, just saying it would make sense and there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that Lee’s designs – or some variation of them – are where we could indeed be headed.

Armor, I think we can all agree, is a must. If BatAffleck is truly going to start out running around in something like the classic spandex costume, then part of the movie is likely going to involve Batman coming to terms that he’s on a whole new playing field with a guy like Superman around.


“I am the Batman now!”

An earlier rumor stated that at the start of the film we find Bruce Wayne semi-retired and enforcing order through a squadron of drones – which would establish the precedent for the Caped Crusader to have the sort of advanced tech array that could include armor and other anti-Superman weaponry. Just like in Dark Knight Returns. (See how I brought it all back around?)

Sauce: http://screenrant.com/batman-vs-superman-movie-costumes-armor-jim-lee-alex-ross/2/

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[Waxman]

I just hope the world doesn't end with a [zombie] apocalypse before the movie comes out like it did in the I Am Legend film which also featured a movie poster for Batman vs. Superman.

[JEStucker]

I think I'm one of the only comic fans not really looking forward to this... and I love me some Batman and Superman...  The whole thing so far just strikes a "meh" chord with me.  I didn't like Man of Steel at all, and actually forced myself to sit through all too many hours of it instead of just shutting it off and taking the disc out like my family was begging me to do.  I actually enjoyed Superman Returns more.  I just don't want to see the same treatment given to Batman that they gave to Superman, and I definitely don't want to see it done to the rest of the JLA.  DC/Warner just doesn't seem able to make a good comic movie yet.  Their animated features and series are awesome, but when they put things on the big screen, they just seem to be lacking...

I want to see Affleck as Batman, I am optimistic about this... but so far all I've got is Marvel/Disney did it first and so far, they seem to have done it better.

[Kresnik]

I have a feeling this film will not be released ... Which I would not be sad.

I despise every thing that is Superman as I hate god like characters immensely ... A good super hero has a fatal flaw and an interesting one at that not fear of the Periodic Table of Elements...

Ben Affleck I think would make a great batman... I could care less who was superman I hate the character so much I would be rooting for the kryptonite.

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

I have a feeling this film will not be released ... Which I would not be sad.

I despise every thing that is Superman as I hate god like characters immensely ... A good super hero has a fatal flaw and an interesting one at that not fear of the Periodic Table of Elements...

Ben Affleck I think would make a great batman... I could care less who was superman I hate the character so much I would be rooting for the kryptonite.

Calm down, Luthor. The alien isn't real.

 

[RLYHYPERGUY]

I have a feeling this film will not be released ... Which I would not be sad.

I despise every thing that is Superman as I hate god like characters immensely ... A good super hero has a fatal flaw and an interesting one at that not fear of the Periodic Table of Elements...

Ben Affleck I think would make a great batman... I could care less who was superman I hate the character so much I would be rooting for the kryptonite.

I can totally understand. At first, he appears to be boring because of his power, but there still are quite a few interesting things you can do with him.

First of all, you could just make a story where everything goes fine and he saves the day in order to inspire good in the readers. Superman was actually created to cause wonder and amazement and lead people to better things, which is why Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster based him off of the Biblical characters Moses and Samson (not starting a religious debate, just stating a fact). One way to make him interesting is to exploit that sense of wonder and inspiration, which does come across as cheesy, but there's nothing wrong with a little cheese (I like it on my burgers)!

The second way is to make conflicts that are not based around physical prowess. The Richard Donner series (well, the first two) understood this perfectly. They didn't challenge his moral authority or physical ability, they challenged his emotional state. They asked, "does this alien have a libido, and how can we exploit that?" This is why his romance with Lois was so prominent in those movies. In fact, it was the main conflict, all the villain stuff was the B-plot! In Superman II, she acted as his own personal Delilah (again, just stating a fact, although more of an analysis this time) when he gave up his powers for her. In the Donner movies, Lois was his fatal flaw, which is probably the most interesting way I've seen Superman challenged, even if I'm a little iffy on the way they resolved it (turning back time? Ehhhhh...).

There are other ways to make him interesting, such as making him a villain, but I feel like that's too simple, has been done to death, and can overshadow the real appeal of his character. Ultimately, it just takes a good writer to make him interesting, the same as with any other character. Superman just happens to be harder to work with because you don't have the aided benefit of flesh-and-blood fragility.

I don't want you to feel like I'm attacking you or anything, I just wanted to start a conversation. I'm sure there are plenty of things you like that I don't get. For example, I don't like chocolate, and most people do! I'm not going to say that it can't be delicious because it clearly is to others, but it's just not my thing. We all have personal preferences and it's fun to compare opinions and share our reasoning behind them and things like that. I don't know about you, but I love doing it!

By the way, I'm also looking forward to Batfleck.  

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

So in a way his fatal flaw in MoS is humanity, it's his home and wants to protect his family; you can get at Kal simply by hurting innocent people.

Even though his primary method of attack is to punch things, he doesn't ever want to hit anybody and doesn't want others to hit each other.

He's kind of protecting the world from itself.

[RLYHYPERGUY]

So in a way his fatal flaw in MoS is humanity, it's his home and wants to protect his family; you can get at Kal simply by hurting innocent people.

Even though his primary method of attack is to punch things, he doesn't ever want to hit anybody and doesn't want others to hit each other.

He's kind of protecting the world from itself.

Yeah! He does damage it in the process but he's still learning. Plus, it gives them great material for Luthor or even Batman to work with in the sequel. I have to admit I'm not a fan of conflicts that span multiple movies, but it's kind of inevitable these days.

MoS had good stuff to work with, and now the sequel has more to work with.

[Kresnik]

I just don't think I enjoy characters that don't take a lot of damage.  Not a fan of Wolverine... Not a fan of Hulk... Superman...etc the god like aspect is just annoying to me.  I prefer characters like Batman for DC, The Punisher for Marvel etc more or less the street level of justice and not the high flying world saving god complex mutants/ aliens etc