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Zack Snyder Discusses BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN Production, Casting Backlash, Merging Mythologies And More

We heard some words from director Zack Snyder about Batman vs. Superman earlier today, and now, he has spoken in much more detail. In an interview with Hero Complex, the 300: Rise of an Empire producer offers a production update on the Man of Steel sequel. He confirms that filming begins in about a month, and goes on to discuss the historical aspect of Batman and Superman finally sharing the big screen. “We’re getting ready to start shooting in a month or so. It’s going great. I’m very excited. It’s very fun to get into this world with different heroes coexisting in the same universe, but a lot of balls in the air as they say. As a fan, it’s an amazing opportunity. You know, Superman and Batman in the movies have never existed in the same frame together. So it’s an interesting historical thing. We were just testing the suits, right? The new Batsuit and the Superman suit. It wasn’t even with the actors, right? It was just to see ‘em. I was standing there, they were standing next to each other. And I was like, “Guys, someone take a picture! This has never happened before.” We slightly dork out. Like, “Are you kidding me?!”” 

Snyder goes on to address the negative feedback to the film’s biggest casting choices – Ben Affleck as Batman, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. He reaffirms that the casting is based on the characters’ portrayal in the script, and then shares his enthusiasm for Eisenberg’s take on Luthor. “There are two ways to think about it. We know the material. Unfortunately, the fans don’t know the material. So, we’re casting according to what’s happening in the script. And we’re hoping that leads to enough originality, enough perspective on what we’re doing that you get something fresh and exciting. I understand the canon. I’m not crazy. I know what these characters need from a mythological standpoint. I think Jesse is going to be an amazing Lex. Let’s not forget he was nominated for an Academy Award. It’s not like I just grabbed my friend to play the guy! This guy’s the real deal. By the way, in looking at all the talk-back, you can get all different perspectives in there too. Some people are hating to hate. Some people — someone did some fan art. And you look underneath and someone wrote, “I guess I can see it.” Honestly, are you kidding me? Just stop it! It’s reassuring and frustrating at the same time.” 

Finally, Snyder talks about the merging of the Superman and Batman universes. With the mythology officially created in Man of Steel, the director says it’s now time to “let ’em [characters] loose” in building upon that foundation. “[The movie] literally takes the “Man of Steel” and “Batman” universes and explodes them. You’re not as tied to the mythology. In “Man of Steel,” we had to create an origin story, a mythology, and there’s a lot of energy into that, which we love doing. Don’t get me wrong. But when you think about how fun it is too — now that you’ve got these characters — to now let ‘em loose. That’s fun!” With the 300: Rise of an Empire press junket ongoing, we should expect to hear more from Snyder in the coming days.
Batman vs. Superman (not the final title) is scheduled to hit theaters May 6th, 2016. The follow-up to Man of Steel, the next installment in the DC Cinematic Universe stars Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne. Zack Snyder directs from a script by David S. Goyer and Chris Terrio.

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WOBAM! Entertainment.