No matter how hard we try to keep them in check, expectations for the Saturday Hall H panels at Comic-Con always run pretty high. A good indicator would be the fact that, as of this year, camping out overnight in line is a must if you want to ensure you’ll make it inside for the first panel of the day. Yes, even though Hall H is currently the biggest venue of the convention center, holding 6700 Comic-Con-loving souls.
The 2013 Saturday lineup included, as we told you in previous posts, the main presentation for Marvel Studios. That was preceded by the mighty Legendary and Warner Bros. panels. From Godzilla to Jeff Bridges and Seventh Son to Sandra Bullock and Alfonso Cuaron with Gravity to The LEGO Movie, it was a blockbuster show and did not disappoint.
But the show wasn’t over yet.
Zack Snyder was introduced to thunderous and prolonged applause from the crowd. He officially announced that Man of Steel 2 has been confirmed, to more thunderous applause. He then introduced actor Harry Lennix to read something, ostensibly because Lennix has a more impressive voice than Synder. Lennix did not disappoint:
I want you to remember Clark. In all the years to come. In all your private moments. In all the years to come, my hand at your throat. I want you to remember, the one man who beat you.
Then this logo was tossed up on the screens (aintitcool‘s turned out better than mine):
The quote is from Frank Miller‘s 1986 DC comic Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Snyder went on to explain that “we’re not adapting this thing, but it is the thing that will help us tell that story.”
Wow. Here’s the official Warner Bros. press release, which includes such terrific tidbits as the fact that Snyder will be writing the story with David S. Goyer (Man of Steel, the Dark Knight trilogy), who will then write the screenplay, and that Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas (Man of Steel, the Dark Knight trilogy) will be executive producers :
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.
Other than Henry Cavill reprising his Man of Steel role as Superman, no cast announcements have yet been made, but we’ll keep you posted.
Man of Steel 2, starring Henry Cavill, is slated to hit theaters Summer 2015.
