With DC stepping up its game on the big screen, Comic-Con has become an increasing battle between DC and Marvel in trying to wow attendees. DC was first out of the gate, announcing that after years of speculation and hope from fans, Batman and Superman will finally team-up on-screen in 2015.
The film will be a follow-up to Man Of Steel, although DC is keeping the actual title close to its chest. Henry Cavill will be back as Clark Kent, although there’s no word on who will be donning the bat suit. (The image above is the logo presented on stage at Comic-Con).
Man Of Steel helmer Zack Snyder is set to direct. He is also 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.
Greg Silverman, the President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production at DC commented, “Zack Snyder is an incredibly talented filmmaker, but beyond that, hes 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.
It’s believed that the storyline will be inspired by Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight returns, underlined at the Comic-Con presentation when actor Harry Lennix read a line from the graphic novel – “I want you to remember, Clark, in all the years to come, in all your most private moments, I want you to remember your hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you.
However Snyder clarified, “Were not adapting this thing [Dark Knight Returns], but it is the thing that will help us tell that story. It does suggest however that Batman and Superman will at least initially be in some kind of conflict, although we’d be willing to bet they eventually team up.
Laurence Fishburne, Amy Adams, and Diane Lane are all expected to return for the film.
Earlier rumours (via THR) had suggested DC would also announce Justice League for 2016 and a Flash standalone movie for 2017, however it appears this didn’t actually happen at the panel (that’s not to say it won’t happen in real life though).