We’re only a week away from the release of the highly anticipated “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and it is without a doubt that we can feel the excitement in the air. Local cinemas have begun selling early release tickets (check GSC or TGV right now!), merchandise have gone on sale ahead of time, heck..some fans are even planning their outfits for the premiere.
But while you wait, arm yourself with all the need-to-know information in this handy guide. You may or may not be pleasantly surprised, depending on how big of a Batman/Superman/Batman and Superman fan you are ;)
1. The Batman versus Superman film is not a new idea
It’s a new idea to us but the people at Warner Bros. and DC would know that a Batman and Superman face-off concept has been in talks for years. In fact, the idea was pitched over a decade ago by BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker (of “Seven” fame), with Wolfgang Petersen attached to direct. Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, James Franco, Jude Law, and the late Paul Walker were all in consideration for either the role of Batman or the role of Superman. However, due to the ever-changing plan of studios, it got lost in all the shuffling. And eventually, the project was cancelled altogether because Warner Bros. wanted to focus more on Superman and Batman solo projects.
2. Working hard and playing even harder on set
Security was so tight during the early days of production that Ben Affleck (Batman), Henry Cavill (Superman), and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) were all made to wear big, black Jedi-like robes whenever they were on set and not filming a scene. Despite the need for secrecy, Zack Snyder still found a way to make hard work look fun when he uploaded a picture of Henry Cavill in one of those robes, which would later garner a hilarious response from J.J. Abrams :D Also, let’s not forget that one time when Henry Cavill and his co-star Amy Adams (Lois Lane) took on the #ALSIceBucketChallenge on the set of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” in full costume!
3. A never seen before version of Batman onscreen
Although Batman has appeared in 8 live-action films to date (3 of which are Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy), none of them explored the character like “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” will. The Batman in this film is retired from active duty, possibly due to the loss of a partner and/or other close friends. In fact, according to Zack Snyder, Batman is about 46/46 years old in this movie. But thanks to Superman and General Zod’s super-powered battle in neighbouring Metropolis, an ageing Bruce Wayne (played by Ben Affleck) is lured back into the Batman suit, determined to do something about the metahuman threat that Superman presents.
4. Expect to see more than one villain
We already know that Superman will be fighting General Zod and that Batman will be taking on Superman while swatting Lex Luthor away on the sidelines. But that doesn’t sound epic enough for something that’s the size of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”. According to the official synopsis on IMDb, fans can expected to see more than one villain in the film. Namely, a formidable threat (even to Wonder Woman and Superman) and a physical force to be reckoned with, Doomsday. How terrifying is this evildoer, you ask? He killed Superman in the comics back in the 1990s. Just putting it out there.
5. A new look for Superman’s regal suit
If you’ve studied the trailer long and hard enough, you’d notice that Superman’s suit looks a little different from 2013’s “Man of Steel”. This is because the suit has had an update to match the overall aesthetics of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”. Academy Award-winning costume designer Michael Wilkinson ensured that the suit is now a brighter hue of blue to make Superman stand out more. The chest insignia was given line details to match the prominent “S” logo seen in all the marketing materials and the yellow background was made into a bright gold. And it’s probably not going to be obvious but the Joseph Campbell quote, ”Where we had thought to stand alone, we will be with all the world” was translated into Kryptonian and placed on the suit’s “S” shield, cuffs, belt, and bicep.
6. Bruce Wayne does not live in the Wayne Manor
The places of residence are given different takes in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”. While Clark Kent lives in an apartment with Lois Lane, Bruce Wayne does not live in the Wayne Manor (home to his deceased parents Thomas and Martha Wayne). Instead, he lives in a modern cottage by a lakeside within the Wayne Property called The Glasshouse. It is unclear what happened to the original Wayne Manor, but it does look frightening and dilapidated, supposedly a mirror of Bruce Wayne – broken and without hope. The only other time that the Wayne Manor was destroyed in a live-action film was in 2005’s “Batman Begins”, when the main part of the mansion razed in a fire caused by Ra’s al Ghul. As an effect, in 2008’s “The Dark Knight”, Bruce Wayne relocates to a 2-storey tall penthouse apartment within a hotel he purchased as the Wayne Manor was being reconstructed.
7. The film will pave the way for Justice League
It’s all already in the name, actually. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is called as such because it will be used to promote “Justice League” parts 1 and 2, which will both be directed by Zack Snyder. In the comic book miniseries, “The Dark Knight Returns” (where “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” borrows its thematic arc and tone from), Batman and Superman fight long after the Justice League is disassembled. In this movie, they will fight before the Justice League is even formed. The sequence is going to be pretty interesting because we’re going to go from “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (multi-hero team-up) to “Justice League” (an even bigger team-up) to “Suicide Squad” (a bad guy team-up). No rest for the wicked though because Justice League begins filming in Spring 2016.
8. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is Wonder Woman’s debut
Believe it or not, despite being created way back in 1941, Wonder Woman has never been featured in a movie. We don’t even know how that can be remotely possible! But it’s going to be fun to see what Zack Snyder will be able to do with the character in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”. Rumour has it that in the film, Wonder Woman (played by Gal Gadot) is an immortal who has existed through many key eras of history, and is supposedly investigating a government conspiracy to track down metahumans. And her role will be key to shifting the story towards Justice League. Wonder Woman will also be getting her own solo movie later on :)
9. The “DC Trinity”, together for the first time
How did the 3 superheroes (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman) get their nickname, the “DC Trinity”? It was based on “Batman / Superman / Wonder Woman: Trinity”, a 2003 3-issue limited series written and drawn by Matt Wagner which establishes the meeting of the 3 legendary superheroes. With Superman’s strength and powers, Batman’s expertise in tactics and strategy, and Wonder Woman’s unwavering will and wisdom, the DC Trinity are a perfectly formed team of justice and might. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” will mark the first time that the DC Trinity are appearing together in official live-action media. It will also be the first live-action film to include Batman, Superman, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman together.
10. Casting criticism from far and wide
The situation wasn’t always fine and dandy for the “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” cast. Ben Affleck’s casting caused significant backlash from comic book fans, with multiple online petitions demanding his removal from the role. Unlike previous Batman actors, he was not considered intimidating enough for the role by the protestors. Fans also criticised Gal Gadot’s small frame in contrast to Wonder Woman’s warrior-like build in the comics. Gal Gadot responded to those criticism and stated that she has been participating in various training regimens to achieve a body that stays closer to the source material. Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor) was not spared either. Fans called him out to be “too young for the role” and “not physically imposing enough”. It could or could not turn out be casting hell. We’ll find out when “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is released in a couple of days.
BONUS: Sorry, we don’t actually have a bonus little known fact about who will win and who will lose in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”. But we’ll tell you one thing – the cast of small screen DC series “The Flash” has put in some predictions.
Check it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2-cB-z7xqQ
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” will be released on 25th March 2016 in a cinema near you.
Sources: Screen Rant, Bam Smack Pow, Moviepilot, List25, Wayne Manor Wiki, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” Wiki.
