Update: An official press release for the Dark Knight Returns-inspired film, as well as a logo (via Film.com), can be found below and above, respectively, along with video:
NEXT DC SUPER HERO MOVIE IN PRE-PRODUCTION
Director Zack Snyder Unites Superman and Batman in One Explosive New FilmBURBANK, CA, July 20, 2013 – On the heels of the worldwide success of “Man of Steel,” director Zack Snyder is bringing together the two greatest Super Heroes of all time—Batman and Superman—for the first time on the big screen. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution,Warner Bros. Pictures.
The current hit, “Man of Steel,” has taken in more than $630 million at the worldwide box office to date, and climbing. Along with its star, Henry Cavill, the upcoming film brings back Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane. The new Batman has yet to be cast.
Snyder is co-writing the story with David S. Goyer, who will then pen the screenplay. Production is expected to begin in 2014, with an anticipated release date in Summer 2015.
Silverman stated, “Zack Snyder is an incredibly talented filmmaker, but beyond that, he’s a fan first and he utterly gets this genre. We could not think of anyone better suited to the task of bringing these iconic Super Heroes to the screen in his own way.” Kroll added, “We are thrilled to be back in business with Zack and his team on this next movie. The success of ‘Man of Steel’ is a wonderful testament to the love and support that both fans and new audiences, worldwide, have for these characters. We are very excited to see what Zack has in store for all of us.”
It was exactly (and only) one year ago, today, when The Dark Knight Rises was released, so forgive us for thinking the following news has a bad case of “too soon.” According to The L.A. Times, Warner Bros. and DC will, at this afternoon’s Comic-Con panel, announce a Superman-Batman film, returning the Man of Steel team — director Zack Snyder, screenwriter David S. Goyer, and star Henry Cavill — and, essentially, making for a sequel to last month’s superhero picture. After that? Movies.com claim The Flash hits in 2016, followed by Justice League in 2017. One after the other, lined up and shot down.
Like it or not, Christian Bale is unlikely to hop back in the Tumbler: he’s gone on record to explain his departure from the role, while, more damningly, Goyer already noted that this DC universe — most clearly illustrated by a Wayne Enterprises satellite that creeps up during Man of Steel‘s four-hour climax — is separate. (Did this get too nerdy? My apologies.) One doubts that even Christopher Nolan, rumored to produce, would change this order of things.
So you have to recast Batman just after a wildly successful Batman series came to its end, and you’d need to fit him into the second installment of another character’s own rebooted franchise — with that, alone, maybe a few problems could be detected. Don’t be skeptical of that which has not been made, yes, but as someone who basically hated Man of Steel, enthusiasm for the project is mild. Curiosity, however, remains — mostly as to just how you’d make this work. A small question, normally, but arguably the biggest when we’re looking at a hypothetical situation. Maybe I’d prefer to keep it that way, permanently.
What do you think of this DC business? Does it seem like a wise direction?