You guys sitting down? After months of rumors and speculation Warner Bros. made an official announcement at the San Diego Comic-Con — a Batman/Superman movie is coming in 2015! The movie will serve as a follow-up to Man of Steel and is being directed by Zack Snyder. Snyder is also co-writing the story with David Goyer, the man responsible for writing the Dark Knight trilogy with Christopher Nolan. Speaking of Nolan, he’ll be back as an executive producer for Batman/Superman. Based on the press release below it sounds like Batman is being “rebooted” here, and will not be played by Christian Bale. The movie will go into production next year and is targeting a Summer 2015 release.
Zack Snyder just took the stage at Comic-Con and brought up actor Harry Lennix to read a classic line from The Dark Knight Returns:
I want you to remember, Clark, in all the years to come, in all your most private moments. I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you.
Snyder said “we’re not adapting [The Dark Knight Returns], but it is the thing that will help us tell that story.” They then cut to a Batman/Superman logo to end the presentation.
Here’s an exclusive audio clip of the big announcement, a HUGE thank you to Adam Hlavac on Twitter for hooking Batman News up and providing great live coverage of the announcement!
Update: Check out HD video of the announcement here!
And here’s the official press release from Warner Bros.
BURBANK, Calif., Jul 20, 2013 — On the heels of the worldwide success of “Man of Steel,” director Zack Snyder is bringing together the two greatest Super Heroes of all time–Batman and Superman–for the first time on the big screen. 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 current hit, “Man of Steel,” has taken in more than $630 million at the worldwide box office to date, and climbing. Along with its star, Henry Cavill, the upcoming film brings back Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane. The new Batman has yet to be cast.
Snyder is 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.
Silverman stated, “Zack Snyder is an incredibly talented filmmaker, but beyond that, he’s 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.” Kroll added, “We are thrilled to be back in business with Zack and his team on this next movie. The success of ‘Man of Steel’ is a wonderful testament to the love and support that both fans and new audiences, worldwide, have for these characters. We are very excited to see what Zack has in store for all of us.”
Diane Nelson, President, DC Entertainment, noted, “Superman and Batman together on the big screen is a dream come true for DC fans everywhere. All of us at DC Entertainment could not be more excited for Zack’s continuing vision for the DC Universe.”
Zack Snyder, who made a surprise appearance at Comic-Con today, breaking the news to audiences there, later said, “I’m so excited to begin working again with Henry Cavill in the world we created, and I can’t wait to expand the DC Universe in this next chapter. Let’s face it, it’s beyond mythological to have Superman and our new Batman facing off, since they are the greatest Super Heroes in the world.”
The new film brings back Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder as producers. This time, Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas are serving as executive producers, along with Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan.
Thomas offered, “Whilst our ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy is complete, we have every confidence that Zack’s fresh interpretation will take the character in a new and exciting direction. His vision for Superman opened the door to a whole new universe and we can’t wait to see what Zack does with these characters.”
The film is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, and Batman characters created by Bob Kane, published by DC Entertainment.
