Zack Snyder took the lectern at Comic-Con 2013 because "some shit's going to happen up here". And it certainly did, with the announcement that Warner Bros. is planning a Superman / Batman team up for the near future, following up from this year's Man Of Steel. Looks like 2015, the biggest year for blockbusters ever, just got even bigger.
"I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for supporting the movie," said Snyder. "It was great working with such an awesome character and have everyone respond. But I wanted to come up personally, because I know there's been a lot of speculation about what we're doing, and I wanted it to come from me and say that it's official that we're going to do another Superman movie.
"The truth is I'm not going to tell you what it's about, but I can say that maybe there's a single element that will be in the film that I could help you out with. And so I was thinking about how to do that, and I pored through the DC Universe to find a way to tell you this thing, and I came across a thing that might sum it up. We're writing it now, so it doesn't exist, but there's a thing to help you understand. So I have a friend here, Harry Lennix, who was in Man Of Steel, and I bring him out because his voice is better than mine. He's going to read a little thing - we're not adapting this thing, but it will help you."
Lennix reads: "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." Yes, that's a quote from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns and yes, the crowd went *utterly *mental.
Then they show the Superman shield with the Batman logo imposed behind it and the place erupts. "WHAT THE SHIT WAS THAT?" screams moderator Chris Hardwick, expressing what we're all feeling.
There you go. Superman and Batman together in next movie. [pic.twitter.com/cw6IuRG6TO](http://t.co/cw6IuRG6TO)
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) [July 20, 2013](https://twitter.com/EricVespe/statuses/358684995843420160)
Superman and Batman, onscreen together. Geeks, it's Christmas come early. Also, now that this press release has landed, there's further confirmation that David S. Goyer will be scripting Supes' cinematic adventures once more, and that this will be a new Batman, not the Nolan Batman.
Official Warner Bros. press release:
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.