Last week Warner Bros announced they’d be releasing the first teaser trailer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the anticipated 2016 sequel to Man of Steel (2013), in select theaters. Sometime between 24 and 48 hours later, that teaser was leaked online. So far I’ve seen mixed reviews of it, from “epic” to “underwhelming.” I guess my reaction is somewhere in between, or completely out in left field.
The teaser begins with images and narration suggesting a shift in the public response (orchestrated by Lex Luthor or the media?) to Henry Cavill’s Superman, from a welcome savior to a false god. Flash to Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne looking regrettably on a stored Batman suit. Next we see Batman looking up to a hovering Superman and saying, ever so gruffly, “Do you bleed? You will.”
At this point, my head fell into my hands in defeat. See, I’ve been over Batfleck for awhile and generally try to adhere to a “give it a chance” approach to movies (even when based on a beloved book). But right now, I’m struggling. Why do we need Batman in a Superman movie? Hasn’t Batman had enough screen time? Why does it have to be him that knocks Superman out of the air (I’m just guessing this will happen)?
Most comic enthusiasts will tell you of an unspoken (and sometimes very loudly spoken) rivalry among the fans of these two heroes. Perhaps because they’re both strong leaders; perhaps because they’ve got such different yet strikingly similar origin stories. And it’s true in my very household. While Bryan and I like both of them, we’re a house divided on who is best.
And now the epic question of “who would win: Superman or Batman?” is going to be answered in IMAX 3D.
As much as I hate to admit it, I’m just a little worried.