Batman Vs. Superman: 3 Things that can Save the Film

Two of comic’s greatest heroes are clashing in 2016. When the tentatively-titled film, Batman Vs. Superman was announced, it brought an uproar of mixed opinions from fans. The film is facing skepticism mainly over character and cast choices. 

Many thought it was too soon to recast Batman after the successful Dark Knight trilogy with Christian Bale as the main role. All hope was not lost yet, however. The role of the villain, Lex Luthor, was widely rumored to be Bryan Cranston. This rumor was shot down when Jesse Eisenberg was cast for the part. According to IGN, Eisenberg’s Luthor is supposed to be a “tattooed skinhead who grew up as a street punk.” This is the polar opposite of how Luthor has been seen for years. The character has always been an older man, with a rich, prestigious presence to him. A tattooed skinhead street punk sounds nothing like the classic Lex Luthor we are all use to.

There is also skepticism regarding if it is too soon to have other heroes in the Man of Steel sequel at all. The Dark Knight trilogy did fantastic without any inclusion of other heroes. Is it really needed to included other heroes in order for the movie to be an enjoyable experience? Other than Batman, Gal Gadot is cast as Wonder Woman. There are also rumors circulating that more heroes may join the film, such as Green Lantern and Cyborg, but they are nothing more than rumors at the moment.

With the mixture of a list of controversial cast and characters, many believe this film is on the road to failure. However, I believe there are things that can be done to make the film a success, and truly make this a film about the World’s Finest.

3. Good Choice of Batman Villain

If the movie is centered around Batman, as well as Superman, it would make sense to also include a villain for him, too. I think it is time for Mr. Freeze to make a return. Most of you upon reading the past sentence probably saw a dreadful vision of blue Arnold Schwarzenegger. I do not think Mr. Freeze should be excluded from the list of hopeful villains to appear in the film because of the past version’s flop. The Mr. Freeze from Batman & Robin (1997) was disliked due to casting, writing, and the suit.

Freeze is a deep, torn character, that would fit in perfectly in today’s cinema. If the right actor were cast, and if the suit looked similar to the one in the videogame, Batman: Arkham City, I believe he would be an excellent addition. He has not been used in a Batman film in such a long time, and he has became popular from the recent videogames. With his popularity today, lack of use in film, dark story, and use of special effects, Mr. Freeze can be a great addition.

The Joker is another great choice. What would make him such a great addition to the film would be if he had the right actor to portray him. Who would be a good fit? Well, think of the Joker’s laugh for a moment. Which Joker did you just hear laughing in your head? I’m guessing it was likely Mark Hamill. Mark Hamill has supplied the Joker with his iconic laugh in cartoons and videogames for years. His Joker laugh is the Joker laugh. With modern makeup and effects, it would be no issue to make him look like the Joker. A Joker that looks the part (due to effects) and with the perfect laugh, would be a Batman fan’s dream come true.

2. Not a Justice League Movie

I believe DC is trying to make a Justice League movie as soon as possible to compete with Marvel’s films, which does make sense. However, it must be executed in the best way possible. Tossing in a bunch of superheroes in the Man of Steel sequel is not the way to do it. The characters will not have enough screen time, and the film will seem rushed. Even if all the characters get enough screen time, the entire film will be drowned in origin stories, taking away from the actual conflict of the film. DC should leave Batman and Wonder Woman in the film, and release standalone films for the rest of the Justice League members. Besides standalone films, they can take a different approach and use television shows for the lesser-known characters. Using Green Arrow and the Flash from their television shows can work well. They would not need to movies for the lesser known characters that would flop and risk losing money. Also, if these heroes have their own origins explained within their respected TV shows, there would be no time wasted in the Batman Vs. Superman movie or the foreseeable Justice League movie with origin stories.

As for Batman’s origin story, it is pretty well known among fans. Something that I definitely do not want to see, and others may agree, is a half hour dedicated to seeing Batman’s back story after already seeing it in the previous Batman movies. We all know it very well. Bruce Wayne’s parents die at the hands of a thug, thus Batman is born to seek justice in the city. Seeing another origin story so quickly after the end of the Dark Knight trilogy would be redundant. The film must already have Batman established as a character, and maybe simply a five minute flashback showing the memory of the death of young Bruce’s parents.

1. Ideas from The Dark Knight Returns

*Following includes spoilers for The Dark Knight Returns animated film and comic.*

The Dark Knight Returns is a comic book and an animated movie, in which Batman is returning from retirement at old age, to regain justice in Gotham once again. As he is doing pursuing what he believes to be justice, the government sees it as anarchy, and sends Superman to stop this vigilante. There are many things that Batman Vs. Superman can benefit from this piece. The Batman used in the new film is supposed to portray an older Dark Knight, so the following situations would work nicely in the new film.

First, the fight at the end of The Dark Knight Returns would be a great part to include in the upcoming movie. As seen above, Batman uses a rather larger suit than normal, which gives him increased strength and protection. He also has gadgets that can actually harm superman, like draining the city’s power grid with his suit, and giving Superman one massive shock. Another weapon he uses is a sound wave gun, which actually harms the Man of Steel, as well. A powerful suit is not enough, however. How does the Dark Knight plan to assure his victory over the the super-powered Kryptonian? Planning and kryptonite. The Green Arrow shoots a bolt of kryptonite at Superman, allowing Batman to defeat him (although he does not kill him). He does this to send Superman a message, which is simply to leave him alone.

This scene can work wonders in Batman Vs. Superman for various reasons. The fight is simply epic and well executed, and would look spectacular in live-action on the big silver screen. Rather than that, it could give Green Arrow a great entrance into the DC cinematic universe. I know I previously stated a lot of heroes with origin stories were not needed in this film. However, a smart way to execute this would be to use the Green Arrow used in the television series, Arrow. This would bring popularity to the television series, and introduce a character for the foreseeable Justice League movie, without a long, dragged out origin on the big screen.

Second is the deadly duel between Batman and the Joker, if DC decides to include the clown at all. The Joker also returns at old age to wreak chaos and death through Gotham. The Dark Knight is done seeing the Joker continually kill as a result of him not killing the psychotic clown. Batman and the Joker have a last fight, where Batman ultimately kills the old clown. This would add a dark undertone to the movie, and the older age part would also work for the Joker if they decided to use Mark Hamill.

Thankfully, according to IGN, Zack Snyder, director of Batman Vs. Superman is already considering using aspects from The Dark Knight Returns in his film. 

Do you agree with these ideas? Disagree? Will the film be a huge success or flop?

What do you think? Leave a comment.