Come 2015 and comic book fans will have ample reasons to celebrate. To see Batman and Superman in one movie is complete paisa vasool, critics agree. But they also wonder what the script will be like. As for who will win this unique battle, one has to wait and watch, says Shibaji Roychoudhury
‘I want you to remember, Clark, in all the years to come; in your most private moments, I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you...’
Approximately, 6,500 fans in Hall H at Comic Con San Diego went berserk when Harry lenox (who played General Swanwick in Man of Steel) recited these lines. Zach Snyder broke the news that the MOS sequel, which will start shooting in early 2014 will be a Batman/Super-man face-off inspired by Frank Miller’s graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns.
“let’s face it. It’s beyond mythological to have Superman and our new Batman facing off, since they are the greatest superheroes in the world,” Snyder said at the Comic Con post-event Press conference.
Comic book critics and fans couldn’t have asked for anything more. “It is one of the bravest attempts ever. Every superhero fan has always wanted to see the two biggies pitted against each other. And if they can pull it off right, this will be bigger than The Dark Knight series and The Avengers. Even the Justice league won’t be able to compete with a Batman vs Superman film,” John Campea, independent filmmaker, says.
Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns in 1986 had earned $500,000 and went on to become a cult classic graphic novel. But as per comic book experts and critics, what can be justified in a comic book will not necessarily work on the big scream.
“In the comic book, Superman with the mere flick of his finger injures Batman severely. However, it’ll will look stupid if the same is done in the film. Both David S Goyer (writer) and Snyder will have to ensure that the battle between the two iconic characters comes across as balanced and believable on screen,” Campea added.
Adding to that, American Internet personality and known comic book and film critic Jeremy Jahns said: “A lot of my friends keep telling me that Batman is super smart and will come up with something to take down Superman. While Batman may be super intelligent, he is only human. Superman, on the other hand, is from a much more advanced planet and is basically God. For the two to fight as equals, Batman will have to devise a realistic method to make Superman weak and bring his strength down to human level. Kryptonite is one way that this can happen since, in MOS, we saw how Superman couldn’t withstand the krypton atmosphere in General Zod’s ship”.
Jahns’ opinion apart, the primary question that still remains unanswered is the casting of Batman, since Christian Bale has refused to continue as the Dark Knight. Experts are speculating about who could be the ideal actor to fit into the black uniform, next to ‘Superman’ Bruce Wayne.
“I have three choices who I think would be ideal to play Batman — Army Hammer, luke Evans and Guy Pierce. I know a lot of other names like Michael Fassbender, Matt Bomer, Jake Gyllenhaal and James Franco are constantly being tossed around as potential actors who can play the caped crusader, but I don’t really see them as Batman,” Tony Stevens, a New Zealand-based comic book critic, says.
Experts are also speculating on whether Batman will be a carry over from the Dark Knight series into this film or he will be a Christopher Nolan-type Batman. “I think that they are trying to illustrate the relationship that Batman and Superman are going to have, which is that they are not going to be pals but by the end of the movie they’ll probably work for the common good of mankind,” Sean Whitmore, a US-based comic book critic, said.
Snyder has already confirmed two things — Miller’s novel will only be an inspiration. The actual story would be very different from it. He also mentioned that, unlike in the book, Batman won’t beat Superman, but they will fight. One possible approach can be the introduction of lex luthor.
“The plot for this one could be on the line that billionaires lex luthor and Bruce Wayne are trying to build-up Metropolis after the destruction caused by the Kryptonians and while, Batman is known for not trusting anybody, especially aliens from outer space, lex has issues with Superman from the beginning.
“Hence, this mistrust and the concern for national security of a second alien invasion could be reason enough to trigger a conflict between the two superheroes,” Jahns surmised.