All is not lost, however! For those had to sit out on this year's mega meet-up of cosplayers and the creative minds who inspire them, we were still treated to what the convention had in store through a little thing known as the Internet. We may not have received the information at the same time as those who attended each panel, but it wasn't long before news of each teaser trailer and special guest popped up on social media sites.
One of things I look forward to the most about Comic-Con is what upcoming movies and franchises will be previewed there. This year, many companies were pulling out the big guns. Marvel, especially, had a lot to share with their fans. The Avengers 2, Thor: The Dark World, The Amazing Spiderman 2, and even the Guardians of the Galaxy all got their time in the spotlight. However, it was DC who had people talking the most.
Zack Snyder, director of 300, Watchmen, and this year's Man of Steel, announced that there will be a sequel to Superman's latest reboot in theaters some time in 2015. Not only will the film include the continuing adventures of Clark Kent and his Kryptonian alter ego, but another DC favorite will make an appearance. During the Warner Brothers panel, fans were blessed with a small teaser trailer for the movie's follow up, which contained one single, yet powerful, image; the outline of a bat shadowing the Superman symbol.
That's right, ladies and gentleman! The Dark Knight will be a part of the next Superman movie, and Snyder will return to the director's chair. Not much else is known about the film, however. Questions have already been raised as to exactly who will play Batman. The Dark Knight veteran Christian Bale has public relinquished the cape and cowl, and Joseph Gordon Levitt has yet to be confirmed as the next cape crusader, even after the ending to The Dark Knight Rises implied that his character, John (or "Robin") Blake will inherit the responsibility. It has also not been made official as to whether or not Henry Cavill will reprise his role as Superman in the upcoming movie.
Many others are questioning where the writers of the untitled Man of Steel sequel plan to take their inspiration for its storyline and script. Before the brief teaser was shown at the Warner Brothers panel, Henry Lennix (General Swanwick from Man of Steel) was introduced and read a passage from Frank Miller's graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns. There has been no word as to whether or not it will play a key part in the movie's plot, or whether or not they will lean more towards the classic World's Finest comics. With the increasingly dark and gritty tone of the past few DC films (overlooking Green Lantern....we're going to pretend that one never happened), Miller's critically acclaimed works would seem like the way to go. But until more information is available, fans will simply be left to speculate and hope for the best.
Now that you know the facts, here are my two cents on the development of the Batman/Superman crossover film.
I will start off by saying that Batman as always been my favorite superhero (or masked vigilante for those who do not consider him "super"). I did not grow up with the comic books, but spawned my love from the nostalgic Burton and Schumacher films. Even though I have come to realize the many faults found in Schumacher's Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, I cannot deny that I adored them as a kid. The revolutionary Batman: the Animated Series was another piece in what made me fall in love with not only the dark tales from Gotham City, but the entire superhero genre. And, of course, my obsession with the Dark Knight and his Rogues Gallery was reinvented with Christopher Nolan's re-imaginings. Recently, I have been making an effort to make myself more familiar with the universes found in both classic and current comics, but I must admit that I am not a complete expert in the area.
As for Superman...well, let's just say he's not my favorite crime-fighter. I never exposed myself to his comics or films, with the exception of my curiosity leading me to watch 2006's Superman Returns. That wasn't the brightest idea I've ever had. I wasn't expecting much out of Man of Steel, and while it is no way the best comic book movie ever created, it did manage to make the character interesting for me.
With that said, most of my opinions will be based on my personal knowledge of characters and track record of the superhero genre.
Like many fans, I am incredibly excited about what is to come. The idea of seeing two of the most well-known and loved superheroes battling it out/working together in one film is a dream come true. The Avengers has proved to us that a quality team-up film can be accomplished, but this is also where one of the problems lie. Marvel took its time to develop the universe of each character with their own story and reoccurring connections between one another through Nick Furry and S.H.I.E.L.D. Batman has had three movies in their new, gritty universe to lay out characters and tones. Superman, on the other hand, has not received the same treatment. True, he has only one new movie under his belt like Captain America and Thor had before The Avengers went into production, but it seems like we have barely scratched the surface of the hero himself. We've seen the origin story and the trials of him accepting who he really is. Yet, we have only just begun to see the hero emerge. The Marvel films made each origin story with The Avengers in mind; providing a well-balanced mix of origin, character development, action, and heroism in order to make sure the character was molded enough to match that of his fellow teammates. Nolan's Batman films were not made to lead into a meeting with Superman, or any other members of the Justice League for that matter (we'll get to that a little later).
On the subject of Superman only having one movie, what is the rush to bring in Batman so soon? Snyder's Man of Steel failed to match the financial or critical success as Nolan's Batman films, but that in no way means it was a bad movie. Apart for the excessive fight scenes toward the end of the movie, I thought it was a solid retelling of the character's origin story. Are the studios so afraid that, because it didn't quite live up to expectations, they have to bring in something that has already proven will fill the theater seats? Tom Preston, an animator and creator of "So, You're a Cartoonist?", made an interesting point when talked about DC's fear of taking risks in a DeviantArt journal entry. "People like Batman and they'll like seeing Batman fight Superman," Preston writes. "Forget the whole idea of building a relationship with Lois Lane or fighting off Lex Luthor, get Batman in there because The Dark Knight was a huge hit." Marvel has found an overwhelming amount of success through producing movies with different directors and styles, while still trying to maintain the prospect that these heroes will soon be brought together in one film. DC, making their movies apart without the preconceived prospect of a Justice League film, seem to be too afraid to take such risks. The same formulas, styles, etc. have been their saving grace for a while, but is it always wise to play it safe?
On the other hand, DC might be taking that desperate risk by putting Batman and Superman in the same film. A lot is at stake for both fandoms in this case, and it is indeed a jeopardous move to mix the two with the way the universes have been set up. Others may argue that DC is still cautiously testing the waters to see what will make them the most money without appearing to copy the success of their rivals.
In my opinion, I do believe DC is over-using their favorites. I love Batman, but I feel like it's too soon to see him again on the big screen, especially playing second-fiddle in another hero's movie. But if you think about it, can anyone really blame DC for being hesitant about taking risks? As much as it pains me to do this, I am going to bring up Green Lantern as evidence. One of the biggest flops of 2011, Green Lantern was DC's attempt to break away from Nolan's formula and try something new. What audience's got was an unlikable hero dressed in a poorly thought out CGI suit. After receiving devastating blows from critics, the hopes of a Justice League movie were dashed until the results of the latest Superman reboot were finalized. DC didn't want a repeat of Green Lantern (nor did anyone else), so they stuck with what was comfortable and what they knew would sell tickets.
Bringing Gotham's brooding vigilante to Metropolis seems like another example of how DC is bringing back what is familiar and popular with audience to ensure a box office success. However, DC is also giving their paying customers and loyal fans exactly what they want? Yes, their formula is something we've all gotten used to, but it's also something that many people have grown to love and enjoy. And some fans have waited for years to see a World's Finest adventure come to life. Snyder, whom I believe tries his best and is very passionate about these types of projects (even though not all of them turn out for the best), is just as excited about the prospects of his next Superman film as many of his viewers are. In a way, it seems that a lot of people are thankful for their methods of safety.
We've got a while before this film comes out, but I can predict right now that I will be one of many fans to hand over my money for an early preview of the next Man of Steel film. Even though I still believe it's too early for Superman and Batman to be crossing paths at this point, I won't lie and say that it is a factor that will keep me away from the theater. I know I will see it because it included characters I love and filmmakers I respect.
As to the question of whether or not we are prepared for the World's Finest? Call me in 2015 and I will let you know.
No comments:
Post a Comment