As readers on here should have noticed by now, the sequel for this year’s superhero blockbuster Man of Steel is going to be no less than the epic gathering of DC’s two most iconic characters, Batman and Superman. Now to be quite honest with you I for one did not expect this at all, so far it seemed that DC had played there cinematic gig safe without trying something different. Well, I gotta admit this is something different. A team-up movie “reintroducing” Batman and giving Superman the first sequel in over 3 decades (I'm not counting Superman Returns as a sequel, even though Singer was marketing it as such).
For me this is probably the best way DC could have chosen to bring back the caped crusader with a new actor after Christian Bale signed off with the The Dark Knight Trilogy. Furthermore, this is a smart way of eliminating one of the definite roster members before the Justice League film. Now they simply have to focus on introducing Flash, which seems done with the upcoming TV series, Wonder Woman, and perhaps Aquaman (I’m leaving out Martian Manhunter as I always pictured him being introduced in the actual JL movie) – I would love to talk on about the implications, a Batman and Superman team-up is going to have on the upcoming Justice League film, but I’m gonna save that for another article.
Anyway, onwards! Here is a list of 5 things that I would hate to see missing in the Batman & Superman movie. The reason I’m not calling it Batman Vs. Superman is because I’m hoping for a team-up movie rather than a mano a mano superhero brawl.
1. Lex Luthor
I wanted Snyder & co. to introduce him regardless of Batman appearing or not. But how brilliant is it that both Superman’s archenemy and Batman’s alter ego is business men of high stature in the DC Universe and is bound to either have met, heard off or in some way have encountered each other beforehand. Or perhaps they are going to meet for the first time in this movie. There is almost an infinite amount of ways to write Lex Luthor and Bruce Wayne in to the same plot, it has happened many times in the comics and I would be a little disappointed if it were not to happen in this movie. An idea that I heard on this site was to have LexCorp being the major investor in restoring Metropolis and making the city safe after the alien attack from Krypton. I think this coupled with Wayne Enterprises having something to do with the restoration as well could set up a meeting between the two and at the same time lure out Metropolis finest journalists, aka. Lois Lane and Clark Kent. Additionally, it seems that while I was writing this article, Snyder has talked about Luthor and actors have stepped up to claim the part. So, this one might already be set in stone.
2. Confrontation
As already stated I do not want a full scale fight between the two heroes, but I don’t think you can have a Batman/Superman film without showcasing the vast gap between the two characters’ ideals and methods.
Superman is out in the open, even though the Man of Steel supes seems to be annoyed with the government monitoring him, he is still per definition out in the open and likes it that way. Batman however lives in the shadows and is opposed to the government and all the officials’ way of doing business. This difference should prove for some great debates. Hell, the very nature of the two should spike debate throughout the entire movie. Their relationship has always been changing in the comics and it is not hard to see why. So, there are many more gaps to be explored, which should promise more verbale confrontation and maybe, just maybe, a small physical one between The Dark Knight and The Man of Steel. News are however pointing sharply towards a reimagining of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, and even though I love the story I would hate for it to be presented on screen at a moment, where DC needs to form a bond between their two most influential characters. That is if they are even aiming for a JL motion picure? At least I hope that the Miller novel only serves as profound words on the undeniable distance between the two. Which is actually what the graphic novel showed the best.
3. Bat Villain
This is in my book a nobrainer. If Batman is there, it makes sense that at least one from his rogue gallery shows up at some point in the film. I am not saying that they should copy the comics and bring in the Joker teaming up with Lex Luther, which however while we’re at it, would be so F’ing awesome. I am just saying that showing Batman catching a famous Bat villain in the opening scene of the movie or having Deadshot being hired by Luthor to assassinate someone and then being foiled by Batman is fine. Hell, it is better than fine, it is a nod to the fans and respectful to The Dark Knight legacy. Batman needs his villains. But, I am not for a second doubting that Snyder & co. have not thought about this and is including someone from the Batman mythology. If it turns out to simply be Vicky Vale, who by the way would work excellent opposite Lois Lane, or Commissioner Jim Gordon and some of his GCPD squad, I will still be happy. They just need to tie some of Batman’s world, Gotham, with the shining city of Metropolis, in order to further visualise the stark contrast the two characters represent for one and the other. And I think a Bat villain is a brilliant way to do this.
4. Love Triangle
I know, I know. Why does there need to be boring and flat love stories in every CBM, and especially in a what is sure to be one of the biggest superhero action films, with DC’s two greatest heroes at the peril. Well, the truth is that romance is essential to the average moviegoer and if it is done right can actually elevate the story. I already mentioned Vicky Vale above, which is off course a big love interest of our favourite billionaire Bruce Wayne, but Vicky is not the only one Bruce has been flirting with over the years. Clark’s truly, Lois Lane, is actually one who has caught the eye of Mr. Wayne on one or more occasions, and I would really LOVE to see a little romantic drama between the three. There is no doubt that the Lois Lane in Man of Steel does not like authority figures and men in stiff attire, but this is the perfect way to show what a womanizer Bruce Wayne truly is, something that we really haven’t seen in any of the many Batman movies. In the end Clark should off course end up with his dear Lois Lane, but why not have the boys fight a little for her first.
5. Brainiac
Now hold on a minute! First Lex Luthor, then a bat villain and now Brainiac? Are you trying to make Spiderman 3? Hang on for a second, because I know people have been speculating that Brainiac will be the villain in the next Superman film, and it is not a bad idea. Including Lex Luthor and a villain like Deadshot, is just the icing on top of the Villain cake. Brainiac, if included, would have to be the centre. He alone should be the force which the two supers should have to reckon with. In my opinion he is by far enough evil power to keep the two heroes busy, but having Luthor in the background through the film, and even tying him to Brainiac in some way will make this movie all for the better. I’m not normally the big speculator, but if Brainiac somehow was on board either Kal-El’s ship or one of Zod’s then he could already be on earth, maybe even in Metropolis. Maybe, maybe LexCorp could have found him and Luthor could have used his technological advancement and intelligence to rebuild Metropolis and make it safer – And by safer I mean installing highly advanced surveillance units developed through Brainiac. When Luthor then losses control over Brainiac, the android then controls the entire city and can easily defeat both Batman and Superman. Now, as you can probably tell, I do not know that much about Brainiac besides what I’ve seen on the Superman Animated Series. But I do know that he is an interesting character, both for Superman and for Batman. A chance for Superman to battle not only using his brawn but also his brain and a chance for us fans to finally see the world’s greatest detective at work. Furthermore, I think it would be a shame if Bats and Supes teamed up simply to fight a man with a lot of money (to put it mildly). A Superman & Batman movie is up there with The Avengers and it deserves a villain worthy of the two. Either that or have the balls to cast a new Joker and let him team up with Luthor!
So, there you have it. I have loads and loads of additional things, which I want to see in the Superman sequel. But to be 100% honest, what I most want to see is what the title is already promising: Superman and Batman together on the big screen. But, what do you guys think? What would you like to see in the movie? And furthermore who do you think should play the very important role of Bruce Wayne/Batman? Discuss and comment below.