When the news came out at ComicCon that Batman would be joining Superman in the follow up to Man of Steel, like most, I was totally excited. I heard the line from The Dark Knight Returns, I saw the logo, and I lost control. But after some time to sit back and think about what this means, and to see some of the news/rumors already coming out about the movie, my mood has changed from excitement to disappointment.
Now, some of the news about this movie is strictly rumor at this point, but for the sake of this editorial, I'm going to assume it's mostly true.
The first rumor or idea that came out was partly influenced by Snyder's introduction to the movie with a line from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. The line suggested that the film wouldn't be as much of a Superman/Batman team-up movie, as it would be a Superman VS Batman movie. Now I know Snyder has said that just because he chose that line to introduce the movie, doesn't mean that he's adapting that story to the screen. But recently it has been reported that Snyder met with Frank Miller to toss around some ideas about the upcoming movie.
I have a problem with this. My problem is I don't want to watch the Avengers again. I don't want to watch Superman and Batman fight and disagree with each other for over half the movie. I want the two best DC heroes to become allies, and become friends, and become the founding members of the Justice League if that's what this film is eventually leading up to. I also don't want to see Batman come into the picture and come across as knowing what's best for Superman. I don't want to see an older brother/ younger brother, mentor/apprentice story. And I feel like if they choose to go down the VS road, that's exactly what we'll get. We'll get a Batman thinking he knows best, not trusting Clark, questioning him, doubting him. I loved Man of Steel because for me, it honestly gave me that sense of hope. The last thing I want is a dark, grumpy, Batman coming in and making us question the world's greatest superhero.
Another piece of news that's been rumored is that Warner Bros. and DC are looking for an older Batman, in the age range of late 30s to early 40s. Again these are just rumors, but names have been tossed around like Josh Brolin and Jim Caviezel.
I have a problem with this. This problem partly goes back to what I said previously about a mentor/apprentice relationship between Batman and Superman. Part of what I loved about the direction Snyder and company were going is that they were going to clearly establish that Superman is the top dog amongst heroes. He is the first, he is the best. WIth a 40 something Batman, that kind of goes out the window. That would make Batman a hero before Superman, and Batman having presumably almost 10 if not more years of hero work under his utility bet. Not so fast, I thought Man of Steel was the first building block for a DC Universe? Is it still the first movie in that universe, yes. But would Superman be the first hero? Would he be the reason other people suit up as heroes? Or even the reason a Justice League comes together? No. If Batman is the world's first hero, even if he's just kind of a Gotham City myth or legend, I think that takes away the significance of Superman in Man of Steel.
Those are just a couple of problems I see arising among fanboys. I could be totally wrong, I could just be voicing my own opinions. But I feel like if most people get over the excitement of seeing Superman and Batman on screen together, I think they are left with a lot of questions, confusion, and disappointment.
I loved Man of Steel. I loved the Krypton stuff. I loved how it really made you understand Clark's struggle. I loved seeing him put on the suit for the first time, and I really loved seeing him in his first fights. And after seeing it in theaters 7 times, yes, 7, I walked away every time with the same thoughts: I want more. I wanted more Superman. I saw all the open doors and all the unexplored ideas and all the ground work for a great Superman sequel, and I was excited for it. I was excited for Superman to finally get the same treatment as Batman. Three Superman movies. All Superman. All of his villains. All him.
But then a couple weeks ago that all changed. Now I have a Superman/Batman team-up/Superman VS Batman/Justice League lead-up/Man of Steel sequel. Yes I'll be excited when it comes out, yes I'll go see it, but is that really what we want? Really what Warner Bros. and DC need right now? I think not. With everything considered, I think they made the wrong call. A rushed call. And I'm afraid Superman fans may never get the Superman movie we want. Not a Krypton movie. Not a Clark Kent movie. Not a World's Finest movie. Not a Justice League movie. A SUPERMAN movie.