First posters for Batman v Superman

I like these. They are simple as hell, but I am digging them.

First image of Superman from Batman v Superman

And it looks a lot like The Dark Knight Rises posters. I am disappoint.

Familiar or not, this image does tease Superman's arrival in Gotham. The bleak surroundings kind of give it away. It leaves the curiosity of whether the next poster will be Batman in Metropolis.

Batman vs. Superman budget set; more details revealed

Production is moving smoothly for Zack Snyder's sequel to Man of Steel. We have new behind the scenes details on the film including budget, filming location, and when filming is set to wrap up.

Michelle Grinnell, public relations for the Michigan Film Office, has stated that this film with have the state's biggest production since Oz The Great and Powerful. The budget has been set at $131 million and that's only for the Michigan location. That doesn't include other locations or post-production, so I am betting in the end the budget will surpass $131 million.
In addition to the budget, we learned that filming will take all seven sound studios at Michigan Motion Picture Studios and will utilize other locations in the state. The other location we know of right now is Yorkville, IL where production is building the Kent Farm. Filming is set to wrap in August.


Sources: #1 #2

[Rumor] Bryan Cranston cast as Lex Luthor

Rumor alert!

I saw this a while ago, but some sources are claiming that Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) has been cast as Lex Luthor for a minimum of six films including Batman vs. Superman. Apparently they are postponing the official press release to give Breaking Bad a time to wrap up and so they can ride the momentum of the finale.

If this is true, Cranston will join Henry Cavill and new cast member Ben Affleck. In addition to Cranston signing for six films with an extension to 10 possible, Affleck has reportedly signed on for 13 Batman appearances. The role of Lex Luthor was previously rumored to be leaning toward Mark Strong (Kick-Ass), but seeing that he already appeared as Sinestro in the box office disaster Green Lantern, DC and Warner Bros. wanted to take a different route.

Batman vs. Superman is the next installment to the DC Universe that will hit on July 17, 2015.

[Update] Ben Affleck to play Batman

Apparently being in one bad comic book movie wasn't enough. Warner Bros. announced today after much speculation who will be playing Bruce Wayne (aka, Batman) in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel, Batman vs. Superman. That man is Ben Affleck.

Affleck previously played Matt Murdock (aka, Daredevil) in the 2003 Marvel bomb Daredevil. That movie spawned Elektra which was another awful movie, but that's another story. Despite it all, he did win Oscars and Golden Globes for his 2012 movie Argo so he does have some credibility. His Batman predecessors include Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, and Christian Bale.
One plus side about this whole ordeal is the story is describing Batman as a man older than Clark Kent who has already seen the battle scars, so hopefully this means we don't have to sit through yet another Batman origins story. If we do I might scream.

Now, this is some interesting news as it was previously rumored that Ben Affleck was set to direct Justice League. With this casting it does give some potential for Affleck to direct Justice League if Zack Snyder doesn't do it. Either way this is an interesting choice for me. I was not hoping for or expecting Ben Affleck. This is going to be interesting.

Batman vs. Superman (aka, Man of Steel 2) is set for release on July 17, 2015.


Here is the Warner Bros. press release:

"Ending weeks of speculation, Ben Affleck has been set to star as Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne.  Affleck and filmmaker Zack Snyder will create an entirely new incarnation of the character in Snyder’s as-yet-untitled project—bringing Batman and Superman together for the first time on the big screen and continuing the director’s vision of their universe, which he established in “Man of Steel.”  The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The studio has slated the film to open worldwide on July 17, 2015.
Last month’s surprise announcement of the new movie featuring both Superman and Batman created a wave of excitement and immediately fueled discussion and debate—among fans as well as in the media—about who would put on the cape and cowl of Bruce Wayne’s alter ego.
Snyder successfully re-imagined the origin of Clark Kent/Superman in the worldwide blockbuster “Man of Steel,” which has earned more than $650 million worldwide to date, and climbing.  The director will now create an original vision of Batman and his world for the film that brings the two DC Comics icons together.
Affleck will star opposite Henry Cavill, who will reprise the role of Superman/Clark Kent.  The film will also reunite “Man of Steel” stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.
In the announcement, Silverman stated, “We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular Super Heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill, and then some.  His outstanding career is a testament to his talent and we know he and Zack will bring new dimension to the duality of this character.”
Snyder also expressed his excitement about the casting of Affleck, noting, “Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman.  He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne.  I can’t wait to work with him.”
Kroll added, “We are so thrilled that Ben is continuing Warner Bros.’ remarkable legacy with the character of Batman.  He is a tremendously gifted actor who will make this role his own in this already much-anticipated pairing of these two beloved heroes.”
Affleck recently starred in the Academy Award®-winning Best Picture “Argo,” which he also directed and produced, earning acclaim and a BAFTA Award nomination for his performance in the film, as well as a number of directing honors.  In 2010, he starred in and directed the hit crime thriller “The Town.”  His recent acting work also includes “The Company Men,” “State of Play,” and “Hollywoodland,” for which he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.  Earlier in his career, Affleck starred in and co-wrote (with Matt Damon) “Good Will Hunting,” for which he won an Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay.
The new Super Hero film is being scripted by David S. Goyer from a story he co-created with Zack Snyder.  Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan and Wesley Coller serving as executive producers.
Production is expected to begin in 2014.
The film is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, and Batman characters created by Bob Kane, published by DC Entertainment."

[UPDATE] Ben Affleck has signed on for multiple films. Read about it here.



#Batman #JusticeLeague #BenAffleck #BenAffleckBatman

Man of Steel - Review

Clark Kent is put forced to face the truth of his race and his destiny after ancient members of his race come to find and destroy him on Earth. In an attempt to save the human race from General Zod's genocide, Clark is forced to reveal who he really is to the world in Man of Steel.


I'm going to jump right into this because I don't really have much else to start with. And yes, there are spoilers so beware.

1. It was way too long. They could have cut a half hour out and no one would have known the difference.
2. The whole Lois Lane knowing exactly who Superman was the whole time bugged me.
3. The beginning dragged a lot and despite the drag they didn't really reveal a ton of information. Zack Snyder did what he does best and focused on shots that aren't really relevant just because he can make them look cool.
4. There was a lack of downtime. The amount of constant action was a bit overkill.
5. The sound effects are downright painful. I consider myself an individual with good hearing, but when your ears start hurting and ringing because of the volume and high pitch of the effects there is a problem.
6. Clark got the Superman suit way too fast. Speaking of the suit, I still hate it and the new logo.


Now with that said, I do have to say that despite all that I did like Man of Steel. I enjoyed it a lot more than I was anticipating and I was very shocked. However, I still am not a fan of Zack Snyder. I think his overuse of visual effects and the lack of time management is ridiculous and I have felt that way for years.
I also felt that this movie had the origin but it lacked. They showed Clark being sent to Earth from Krypton and then it hit fast forward 33 years where he was working odd jobs in the Arctic trying to find where he came from. They used flashbacks as the explanation and even then it was really choppy. It's like they dragged on with the part on Krypton and then all of a sudden rushed through to play catch-up and gave him the suit. It's like they just assumed that everyone knows the Superman story. I like to think people do but not everyone. That is just a given and they ignored that.

Like I said, I did like it for the most part. I thought the effects although overused were pretty well done. I also thought the acting far exceeded my expectation. Henry Cavill was awesome and I absolutely loved Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe, and Michael Shannon. All of them were great. The only disappointment I really had was with Amy Adams. She was a terrible Lois Lane and I don't understand why she was cast.
I loved the parts where Clark was in Kansas and where he was searching for the right times to use his powers. I thought that was extremely well done. The only parts that really lacked, for me, was on Krypton and the battle in Metropolis. That just took too damn long.


What did you guys think of Man of Steel? The reception has been so mixed up so far.

New Man of Steel Image shows full costume

I really hate this new Superman suit. I haven't talked to one person yet who likes it.

Man of Steel gets seven images released

I guess I should see it. Michael Shannon looks badass.

New image for Man of Steel

Man of Steel Official Trailer debuts

I still hate the new logo and the new outfit, but this does look pretty decent for a Superman film.

New poster for Man of Steel

1. Why is it so damn fuzzy?
2. I really, really hate the logo.

Comic-Con: First poster for Man of Steel