‘Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice’: Heroes & Villains
Warner Bros./DC will take a big step forward with their DC shared movie universe (also known as the DC Extended Universe) in 2016, beginning with Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. That Zack Snyder-helmed film continues the story of Henry Cavill’s Superman (depicted in Man of Steel), while also introducing Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman.
Several other key DCEU characters will make their debuts in Batman V Superman, ranging from villains both iconic in status (Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor) and lesser-known, but all the same important (Tao Okamoto as Luthor’s bodyguard, Mercy Graves). In addition, Snyder’s film looks to include appearances by Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman and Ray Fisher as Victor Stone in his pre-Cyborg days, but the film’s main focus will be on exploring the relationship between the eponymous superheroes (and, to a lesser degree, Wonder Woman).
The first of these Batman V Superman images shows Cavill’s Man of Steel in what appears to be the abandoned ruins of Wayne Manor. Bruce Wayne’s old home seems to still provide a cover for the Bat-Cave after all these years (reading between the lines of the film’s trailer footage), which could explain why Kal-El is paying the estate a visit whiles tensions are running high between him and Affleck as the Caped Crusader. Cavill has acknowledged that Batman V Superman is foremost “an introduction to Batman” and an expansion of the Justice League movie universe, rather than another Superman story
Affleck as Bruce Wayne, dressed in what has been described as a “reinforced mech-suit equipped with strength-augmenting armor,” in order to give Bruce a fighting chance when he squares off with Superman (though, the Kryptonite at his disposal will probably be more useful). This element likewise reflects the influence of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns comic book on Batman V Superman, as the former also revolves around an older and world-weary Batman who then emerges from retirement (as does Affleck’s version) and uses similar Bat-technology to battle Superman.
The last of these new Batman V Superman images depicts Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor on the floor of his own, Lexcorp-owned basketball court. This pic further drives home just how much the new version of Mr. Luthor has been influenced by the modern age of Silicon Valley and social media billionaire types. Eisenberg’s portrayal of the villain and his eccentricities were partly featured in the full-length Batman V Superman trailer, enough so to make it clear that (his colorful tendencies aside) this new Lex means business, where it concerns his yet-to-be-revealed evil plotting.
And yes, at some point in the Batman V Superman script by David S. Goyer (Man of Steel) and Chris Terrio (Argo), Eisenberg’s Mr. Luthor will lose that ridiculous hair (be it a wig or not).
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice will be in theaters on March 25th, 2016; Suicide Squad on August 5th, 2016; Wonder Woman – June 23rd, 2017; Justice League – November 17th, 2017; The Flash – March 23rd, 2018; Aquaman – July 27th, 2018; Shazam – April 5th, 2019; Justice League 2 – June 14th, 2019; Cyborg – April 3rd, 2020; Green Lantern – June 19th, 2020.
Sparx Entertainment 