Rumor: Dick Grayson (Robin) will also appear in Batman vs. Superman
DC and Warner Bros. clearly don't know what they want to do with their next major film, Batman vs. Superman. Or rather, they have an asinine plan in place to shape their film universe in the Marvel mold, but are going about it in the most ridiculous way. I've already addressed some of the bigger issues plaguing the film that go beyond Ben Affleck's casting as Batman, and Alex has written about the third DC tentpole character, Wonder Woman, also rumored to appear in the film. If new rumors are to be true, it goes to show exactly how out of touch and unorganized the powers that be at DC and WB truly are.
Latino Review has been rocking it all year with their exclusive scoops on the superhero film circuit, breaking news about such things like major casting and plot points for Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars Episode VII, amongst other films. The site's El Mayimbe recently posted a video (which you can watch below) detailing the new casting call he uncovered recently involving DC and WB casting for Dick Grayson, Batman's kid sidekick, Robin, who later grew up to become the Teen Titans' Nightwing.
The studio is looking for a "young, John Hawkes-type [...] Caucasian, who can do martial arts who's 5'10"." He also reports that the role has already been auditioned for, perhaps not for an acting role, but stunt roles. With news that Affleck's Batman will be an older, weary, and jaded version of the character, it's not without reason to believe that the call for Dick Grayson will portray him as a young adult. Indeed, Mayimbe also addresses rumors that a narrative point in Batman vs. Superman will circle around the strained relationship between Bruce Wayne and his former young charge, Dick Grayson.
Let's take a second and reflect here: WB and DC want to create a thriving universe in the way Marvel has been successfully doing for the past seven years. However, they're forcing the subject by stretching Batman vs. Superman too thin with major DC characters Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and now Robin/Nightwing, with no word on who the actual villain/villains will be. This is too much, too soon, guys! Regardless, if the rumors are indeed true, and Dick Grayson will be in the film, who would you like to see behind the mask? I have a few ideas, but I'll hold onto those for a little while...
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[via Latino Review]
Batman vs. Superman set to enter production next month
It's been a little more than a month since the Batfleck announcement rippled across the internet. In the interim, internet communities have died down following the initial throngs of people both hating and defending Ben Affleck's casting as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the upcoming sequel to Man of Steel, Batman vs. Superman. As "fans" boycotted the announcement and began writing petitions to remove Affleck from the role, Warner Bros., DC, and director Zack Snyder have pushed forward with the upcoming sequel. So much so, in fact, that pre-principal photography is set to take place in a little over a month from now (October 18) if a French casting call is indeed true.
Further adding fuel to the rumor fire is Batman vs. Superman screenwriter David S. Goyer stating, "One of the things that has been fun for us, is we’re a bit a further a long than what I think people realize." While that's not a confirmation by any means, it shows that Snyder and company are doing their best to get production going as fast as possible. It won't be enough to bump the film up from its tentative Summer 2015 release date (which is typically prime time for large Hollywood blockbusters), it'll give the studio enough time in post-production to polish it up as much possible before rabid fanboys find more to complain about than Ben Affleck's chin not being suitable enough for Batman's cowl.
[via /Film]
Ben Affleck cast as Batman in Batman vs. Superman
Two weeks ago when a purported short list of actors DC and WB wanted to portray Batman in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel, unofficially titled Batman vs. Superman, I said: "If WB and DC seriously want to get to the same level Marvel’s on, they’re going to have to nab a big name actor..." At the time, I mentioned Jon Hamm (Mad Men), because he's personally my first choice as Bruce Wayne/Batman, but also easy to accept as a superhero, given the fact that he hasn't been around the superhero film block.
Apparently, WB and DC were aiming even higher, as reports have confirmed tonight that none other than Ben Affleck will don the cape and cowl as the next in line to portray The Dark Knight. The news practically comes out of left field as Affleck is notoriously picky for the roles he plays these days, preferring to stay behind the camera. Also keep in mind that this won't be the first time he's played a superhero as he's also infamously known for portraying Daredevil in the Marvel film adaptations of the blind superhero. Of course, this was before the genesis of Marvel Films' success as both Daredevil and its spinoff, Elektra, tanked pretty hard.
Affleck, if memory serves me correctly, claimed that he wanted no part in another superhero film again. Last fall, it appeared that he'd stay true to his word, as WB was rumored to approach him to direct their film version of The Avengers, Justice League, to which he decline. However, considering Affleck's business relationship with Warner Bros. (WB distributed the last two films he directed, Argo and The Town), it kind of makes sense that he'd keep the relationship going.
With Affleck joining DC's ranks, it appears that WB is doing what they can to compete with Marvel in the theaters. If Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) also joins the film as Lex Luthor, we might have a good old fashioned film rivalry brewing, as well as a great summer for comic book and superhero film fanatics.
Zack Snyder's official statement on the casting:
Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry [Cavill]'s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can't wait to work with him.
[via /Film]
Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin on rumored shortlist to play Batman in Batman vs. Superman
Pre-production on the unofficially titled Batman vs. Superman film hasn't even begun yet (pre-pre-production?), yet rumors are flying out over which actors Warner Bros. want to portray Batman in the upcoming film. Earlier in the weekend, a report came out that WB was looking for an older actor to portray the Dark Knight, preferably somebody in their 30s or 40s. A day later, a shortlist of actors has popped up including a few interesting names.
Josh Brolin (Oldboy) and Ryan Gosling (Only God Forgives) are the two biggest names on the list, which also includes Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike), Richard Armitage (The Hobbit), Matthew Goode (Watchmen), and Max Martini (Pacific Rim). Obviously, with such a high-calibre film as Batman vs. Superman, Warner Bros. will want to grab an equally attractive actor to fill theaters. However, they'll also want a young enough actor who could possibly be willing to portray the superhero in future films, as well. Brolin could make for an interesting Batman, but I don't really think he'd be interested in the role. Gosling, meanwhile, doesn't fit the Bruce Wayne/Batman archetype, either; the same goes for Goode. Armitage could be a good fit, though. Martini and Manganiello, I'm not too familiar with.
Personally, I think Jon Hamm (Mad Men) would be the greatest Batman of all time. Granted, I don't really care much for Batman as a character, but Hamm is one of my favorite actors, and his Don Draper character basically is Bruce Wayne minus the mass wealth and superhero persona. Original reports had him on the shortlist, as well, but his name mysteriously dropped from the updated version. If WB and DC seriously want to get to the same level Marvel's on, they're going to have to nab a big name actor, and Hamm would be the perfect first step for that plan.
[via Collider]
Man of Steel sequel being directed by Zack Snyder, will also feature Batman
The stage has been set for the unified expansion of the DC film universe with the announcement that the Man of Steel sequel will also feature Batman. Dark Knight Trilogy director Christopher Nolan will continue his role as executive producer, but will also have at least some sort of role involving the plot, considering Batman's inclusion.
Of course, the announcement carries many questions, the least of which is who will actually play Batman. Christian Bale has been very adamant about not portraying Batman again. Who can possibly follow Bale's legendary performances as the future of Batman, both in "Man of Steel 2," but also going forward as DC grows its film stable. Furthermore, exactly what kind of Batman would be in use?
Production for the film won't begin until next year with a Summer 2015 release targeted.
[via Collider]