The rumors surrounding Warner Bros.’ unofficially titled Batman vs. Superman movie have been at a fever pitch lately. Rumors (and “speculation”) ranging from a Kryptonian Wonder Woman to Denzel Washington as Lex Luthor (or Green Lantern) to Jason Momoa as Aquaman.
For clarification, the only things officially confirmed about Batman vs. Superman is that Zack Snyder (Man of Steel) will direct the film from a screenplay written by David. S Goyer (Batman Begins). Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne are reprising their roles from Man of Steel. Joining them are Ben Affleck as Batman and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. Batman vs. Superman was expected to release in the already crowded summer of 2015, but now it’s been delayed.
Today, Warner Bros. announced it would be moving the release date for their untitled Man of Steel sequel to May 6th, 2016. That’s nearly a year after its initial release date of July 17th, 2015.
Here’s the official press release:
BURBANK, CA – January 17, 2014 – Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that the release of Zack Snyder’s untitled Superman/Batman film has been moved to May 6, 2016, allowing the filmmakers time to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story. The decision was made following the shift of the start of production to second quarter of this year. The Studio has also set a July 17, 2015, worldwide release date for its as-yet-untitled all-new Peter Pan adventure. Joe Wright will direct the epic live-action film about the boy who would nevewouldr grow up, created by J.M. Barrie. The dual date announcement was made by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
In short, the start of production was unexpectedly delayed and pushing back the release date is to ensure the filmmakers have the time required for what will likely be a demanding shoot. Earlier today Batman-News ran a story claiming Ben Affleck had been injured on set and it was because of this production was pushed back. Deadline has since reached out to a Warner Bros. studio exec who debunked the story, saying, “We just want to do it right and need the time.”
Moving Batman vs. Superman back actually does more for Joe Wright’s Pan, which, had it stayed in its original release slot of June 26th, 2015, would’ve almost certainly been crushed by FOX’s Fantastic Four and Paramount’s Terminator.
The juggling of Batman vs. Superman‘s release date changes the competition the film will face upon its release. No longer being pitted against Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Batman vs. Superman will now square off against FOX’s X-Men: Apocalypse, which releases the following weekend. Then, the weekend after that, The Amazing Spider-Man 3 is expected in theaters.
Perhaps most importantly, though, Batman vs. Superman will go head-to-head with an as-yet-unannounced Marvel movie. After all, that May weekend has been staked out by Marvel for years. Without an Iron Man or Avengers movie in that slot, will Marvel blink and change the date of their unannounced film? Time will tell.
What do you think about the delay, Screen Ranters? Are you disappointed that you won’t be able to see Batfleck for another year? What Marvel movie do you think will go up against Batman vs. Superman? Let us know in the comments.
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Man of Steel 2/Batman vs. Superman hits theaters May 6th, 2016.
