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The Hope for Justice
“Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice”
Ladies and gentlemen, two years out from its release date, at least we can take comfort in the fact that the title is awesome.
It’s common knowledge that the Man of Steel sequel will take super leaps and bounds towards a Justice League movie. Add in the fact that there will be an epic battle between arguably the two biggest superheroes of all-time and the potential for this film is becoming increasingly limitless.
Still, there are a few questions that remain/should be asked:
- Will Ben Affleck succeed as the guardian of Gotham? After Christian Bale’s masterful performance (and throw Christopher Nolan’s vision and expertise into that mix as well), all things Batman will be scrutinized. Quite frankly, after The Dark Knight trilogy, it should be. Playing this character is tricky because if an actor cannot make an audience believe they really are a dedicated and skillful crime-fighting force in an adult bat costume, while also gallivanting as a billionaire playboy in modern day Gotham City, well, then that universe falls apart in a hurry (remember George Clooney and Val Kilmer?). As we watch his portrayal on the silver screen, we’ll find out quickly what truly motivated this controversial casting decision.
- Why not give Superman a second movie by himself to battle with Lex Luthor and a surprise villain, in which Wonder Woman and/or Batman could be teased at the end of the sequel? Man of Steel was a gritty, realistic (for a superhero movie) story of how an alien adapted to his adopted planet, adopted parents and adopted citizens with his evolving super powers. It was an origin story. Consequently, this warranted only one scene of vintage Clark Kent flirting with Lois Lane. Shouldn’t fans get a full movie of Superman battling an enemy/enemies on Earth as a newly declared human within Metropolis with Lois Lane close by? Trust me, Superman can carry a movie by himself. Just judging by the title, a little patience would have been nice…
- Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor? If he can duplicate his performance from The Social Network, he could shine as the digitally-deft villain from the Millennial generation. Like Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder and Terence Stamp, Gene Hackman is forever treasured as an icon in the Superman cinematic universe. Fans will and should compare the performances of the aforementioned actors and actress from the 1978 classic to today’s portrayals. Like the Ben Affleck casting, the Eisenberg choice will go either really well or really badly. Quick question, was Billy Zane considered for Lex Luthor? Actually, that not a quick question, that’s a very serious question.
- Will Wonder Woman get a worthy and well-deserved character introduction with a background story or will she be introduced as more of a super sidekick? This is a powerful moment for a female superhero to shine in the spotlight for multiple generations of women and girls to see and relate to. Are they crowding the Justice pool with too many characters too quickly? Does Wonder Woman deserve an origin story?
The expectations will be super (pun intended) around this time in 2016 for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Will this movie do the modern superhero story and its beloved characters justice by soaring to new cinematic heights?
Either way, it seems fitting to put our hope in the man of steel.
Gal Gadot Looks Pretty Wonderful
For fans of Wonder Woman, the news that the 5’9” Israeli actress Gal Gadot will portray the female superhero equivalent of Superman was likely met with long, overdue jubilation. Plus, a dose of ambiguity. Why? Because Wonder Woman fans have long wished to see this lasso waving superhero on the big screen as the central figure and not necessarily as a supporting cast member, potentially.
(Zimbio)
The specifics of her role will remain a mystery for everybody around the world except the very select insiders: writers, producers and director of the “Man of Steel” sequel. Before too much speculation and analysis, there are some positive characteristics Gal Gadot will instantly bring to Wonder Woman, regardless of her ultimate character contribution.
First, she is absolutely gorgeous. Second, she has some film experience (mostly with the “The Fast and the Furious” movies) and, therefore, will bring a fresh face and impression to audience members. In other words, most people will see her as Wonder Woman and not as a character from a past project/series trying to portray Wonder Woman. She will be Wonder Woman. And third, she will inherently receive an elevated standing (at least initially) because of the nature and anticipation of the movie and the sensational credentials of the director, producers and writers of “Man of Steel” and, yes, “The Dark Knight” trilogy.
Interestingly though, has the global box office success of 2012s “The Avengers” (~$1.5 billion) and forth coming sequel put a rush delivery on the DC Comics super get together for The Justice League, despite the global box office success of summer blockbusters with solo superheroes in “Man of Steel” (~$662 million) and “The Dark Knight” trilogy (~$2.74 billion)? Without seeing the “Man of Steel sequel, it’s impossible to judge the decision to inject the DC Universe together so quickly after introducing Superman. Still though, seeing a longer, deeper character and story arc for Superman, Wonder Woman, the new Batman (maybe not so much) and The Flash would be legendary.
But, because of “The Avengers,” is there enough time or patience? Time will tell, but the fans were willing to wait (and excitedly!) during the 7-year, A-movie quality Batman trilogy…
Lassoing back to Wonder Woman, here are 10 questions (for today anyways) surrounding the announcement of her presence in the untitled “Man of Steel” sequel that will hit theaters in 2015, in no particular order:
- Doesn’t Wonder Woman deserve at least a solo movie treatment, given the story and cultural popularity of her character, plus her positive superhero image for girls and women alike?
- Will and how will her character fit into the darker, grittier Zack Snyder/Nolan superhero universe?
- What “world” will she, Superman and Batman exist in? Will there be multiple locations/cities?
- Will her costume have a narrative like Superman’s in “Man of Steel?” (ie- his suit was actually made of steel links) If so, what will it look like and what will the narrative be?
- Will Gal Gadot look like the Wonder Woman people know from the comics and television show or will she be a new, modern adaptation?
- There was no Kryptonite in “Man of Steel.” Will Wonder Woman keep her Lasso of Truth?
- Will Wonder Woman be merely introduced or will she feature in a starring role alongside Batman and Superman?
- Will Wonder Woman battle Batman and/or Superman?
- Will Alan Harper make an appearance somewhere in the movie as a star struck admirer while slinging his own Lasso of Truth?
- Bottom line: Will Gal Gadot define Wonder Woman for a new generation?
The anticipation will be wonderfully mysterious and intriguing.
“The Batkid Rises”
One week ago today, “Batkid” entered the psyche of men, women and children all across the country. When the Make-a-Wish Foundation joined forces with the city of San Francisco to transform their beloved “city by the bay” into the dark, mean streets of Gotham City, the people were looking for a hero to save them from a familiar gang of villains.
Here is a fan-made trailer of what transpired last Friday:
Batkid showed us all how to rise that day.
Happy Monday!
There were several highlights at this year’s Comic Con in San Diego. For instance, “The Big Bang Theory’s” Johnny Galecki disguised himself as a, “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” character and asked a question in front of, “The Big Bang Theory” panel on a main stage area. Once he removed his mask, the crowd erupted in cheers. Galecki then joined the panel on-stage.
Awesome!
However, there was one announcement that flew above the rest. With regard to superheroes, this paring absolutely takes the cake.
For those of us who have been following the subsequent moves of the super hit, “Man of Steel” and for those of us who love, “The Dark Knight” trilogy, Saturday morning was the day we had been waiting for…
We’ve all heard the news, but now it’s time to watch it:
What does this all mean exactly? While director Zack Snyder has said the sequel will not be an adaptation of, “The Dark Knight Returns” comic from which the quote was taken, it does offer an initial clue about the story. A few of the initial and prominent questions will nonetheless include the following:
Will we get the lighthearted jokes between Clark Kent and Lois Lane? How about some playful flirting between Superman (“that’s what they’re calling him”) and Lois Lane? Will we see more Superman rescues a la Christopher Reeve in 1978’s, “Superman?” Who will play the new Bruce Wayne/Batman? What will his personal story entail? What characters will surround Bruce Wayne/Batman? Will Superman and Batman have a common enemy/enemies? How will Metropolis and Gotham City merge?
We’ll all just have to wait and see. Unfortunately, the first teaser trailer won’t be released until well into the future. For now…
Have a Super Week!
Jimmy's Daily Planet 