Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice

1981 year. Young Bruce Wayne witnesses the murder of his parents Thomas and Martha Wayne as a result of an armed robbery. During the funeral, the boy runs into the forest and falls into the pit, populated by bats . Frightened animals break loose and surround Bruce, and then he slowly flies out of the cave with them (it turns out that this is just Wayne's dream).

Our days. It shows the battle of Superman ( Henry Cavill ) and General Zoda ( Michael Shannon ) through the eyes of Bruce Wayne ( Ben Affleck ), who is trying to save the employees of his company Wayne Enterprises in a panic-stricken Metropolis . The company building collapses during a fight between Superman and Zod, many people die, and Wayne, who saved the girl from the rubble of the building, watches as Superman and Zod fall along with the fragments of the satellite.

It takes 18 months. At the site of the kryptonite terraformer destroyed in the Indian Ocean , a huge stone of kryptonite is discovered. This alien mineral is interested in Lex Luthor ( Jesse Eisenberg ), the eccentric head of LexCorp. Fearing a potential alien threat, including from Superman, he plans to use this mineral to create a weapon to counter the Kryptonians, since the mineral has a destructive effect on the cells of these aliens. Luthor seeks from the authorities access to the krypton ship and the remains of General Zod for his experiments.

Superman during the rescue of his beloved Lois Lane ( Amy Adams ) in Africa is involved in an incident that kills many people in a shootout. Superman’s participation is the reason for the congressional process, in which many see Superman as a threat to the entire planet, despite all his attempts to help people.

Batman continues to fight crime in Gotham with increasingly harsher methods. He is interested in a certain “ White Portuguese ” who allegedly plans to bring weapons of mass destruction to the city. Through the Russian gangster, he manages to find out that Lex Luthor is involved in this case. Superman in the guise of Clark Kent continues to work for the Daily Planet and wants to write about Batman’s inhumane methods of fighting crime. Its boss, Perry White ( Lawrence Fishbourne ) does not let Kent's article go, explaining this by the irrelevance of such material. However, Kent continues to condemn Batman, since you can not be a hero, acting by criminal methods.

Bruce goes to a charity reception at LexCorp with the secret intention of copying data from the corporation’s server. There, he encounters a mysterious woman, Diana Prince ( Gal Gadot ), as well as Kent. Between Clark and Bruce there is a dispute about the legitimacy of Batman's actions, but their dialogue is interrupted by Luthor. When Bruce is in a hurry to pick up the copier from the server room, Diana is ahead of him. Later, she returns the device to Bruce, explaining that she could not decrypt it. She adds that Luthor has a photograph belonging to her.

While decrypting the data copied from Luthor, Bruce has a nightmare, where in the post-apocalyptic world Batman leads a detachment of mercenaries in a certain desert, trying to get kryptonite, but everyone is captured. Superman appears, who kills the remaining Batman people, and rips off his mask from himself, adding that “she” (Lois) died through his fault. Waking up in a dream, Bruce sees a temporary portal from which a person shouts that Lois Lane is the “key” and that Bruce was right about “him” (Superman). Waking up, Bruce learns from Luthor’s data that the Portuguese is a ship carrying kryptonite. He also learns about the meta-people (people with super-powers) that Luthor fears besides Superman: Flash ( Ezra Miller ), Aquaman ( Jason Momoa ), Cyborg ( Ray Fisher ) and Wonder Woman ( Gal Gadot ). The last one is Diana Prince, depicted in an old photograph in an Amazon costume.

Superman baiting continues. Wallace Kif, rescued by Bruce at the beginning of the film, writes the phrase “False God” on Superman’s statue and finds himself captured by the police. He is freed by Luthor, who offers to testify against Superman in Congress. At the same time, Kent receives an anonymous letter full of photographs of the murdered criminals in prison with the stigma of Batman with signatures about "judge, jury and executioner all rolled into one." On the night that kryptonite is brought on the ship, Batman tries to intercept the stone. On his way becomes Superman, who calls to stop lawlessness and flies away. Batman says, “You think you're immortal?” You are mistaken. "

Superman arrives at the Capitol hearing, where Kif is about to speak. Bruce, watching the broadcast on TV, asks for compensation payments to Kifu. It turns out that he returned all receipts with insulting inscriptions, accusing Bruce that he allowed Superman to act, as a result of which his company employees were killed. It further appears that Luthor planted a powerful bomb in Kif's wheelchair. The building explodes, everyone perishes (including Senator Finch), except for Superman. A wave of anger covers the world. Superman blames himself for not being able to prevent the disaster and is leaving for voluntary exile.

Angry Batman steals kryptonite from Luthor. Having lost his weapon against Superman, Luthor enters the destroyed Krypton ship and makes contact with the on-board computer. After reviewing the data of the ship, Luthor begins the creation of the “Devil” - a new monster to fight Superman from the DNA of Luthor and the body of General Zod.

Bruce prepares for a fight with Superman, producing grenades with kryptonite dust and a spear with kryptonite tip from the extracted stone. Luthor’s men abduct Martha Kent, Superman’s adoptive mother. Superman arrives at Luthor and finds out that if he doesn't bring Batman's head to Luthor in an hour, Martha will be killed. Superman flies to meet with Batman with the desire to persuade the latter to help, but Batman does not want to listen to Superman's arguments and begins the fight. As a result, he manages to knock the powerless Superman to the ground with the help of prepared kryptonite grenades. In preparing to deliver the final blow, Batman unexpectedly discovers that Superman's mother, Martha, may die. He recalls how his own mother (ironically, also Marta), once died before his eyes. The heroes team up against Luthor, and Lane arriving in time throws a kryptonite spear into the water.

Batman, on the tip of his butler, the head of his security service and the designer of all gadgets Alfred Pennyworth ( Jeremy Irons ), finds and releases Martha. In the area of ​​the alien ship, where Luthor created the monster, electric discharges begin to appear. Superman arrives at the ship and collides, according to Lex Luthor, with his "Doomsday" (Doomsday) . Superman begins the battle with the monster and after causing great destruction in the city, takes him into space, where the US government undermines both of them with a nuclear warhead. Doomsday falls back to Earth, where it continues to evolve, since it cannot be destroyed with conventional weapons due to its ability to absorb energy. At this time, Batman understands that the kryptonite spear remaining in the port of Gotham will help to defeat the alien monster and lure the monster into the port. Wonder Woman joins Superman and Batman, but they barely manage to restrain the monster. Lane tries to get a kryptonite spear out of the water, however, due to destruction, he is captured under water. Superman responds to her cries, who saves her and pulls a spear from under the water. With his last efforts, Superman pierces Doomsday with a kryptonite spear, however, a monster who lost his hand in a piercing pierces a Man from steel with bone that has not been fully regenerated, as a result of which Superman also dies.

Superman’s empty coffin is buried with military honors, and Kent himself is buried in a cemetery in his native Smallville . Lane learns that Clark wanted to propose to her. Luthor is imprisoned and Batman comes to his cell to brand the villain as a betarang. Luthor warns that Superman is finished and there is no one else to protect the Earth, and that the "monsters in the dark" will come soon. In a rage, the hero leaves the camera, driving a betarang into the wall. Bruce, anticipating the threat, asks Diana to help find the rest of the meta-people like her in order to create the Justice League.

The film ends with the following shots: a handful of earth on Kent's tomb begins to levitate - Superman slowly and gradually begins to return to life.

Until May 2014, the name of the film was not approved, and Batman vs. Superman was considered the unofficial name of the film. On the website of Warner Bros. , and also on Box Office Mojo, the sequel was listed as “The Untitled Zack Snyder Super Hero Film” ^{[6] [7]} . The project got its unofficial name after June 20, 2013 screenwriter David Goyer announced on the panel dedicated to Superman’s 75th birthday on Comic-Con that the alleged title of the painting is “Superman vs. Batman” or “Batman vs. Superman” ^{[ 8]} . A little later, ign.com reported that Warner Bros. Owned sites: SupermanVsBatman.com, and at the same time - BatmanVsSuperman.com; and also - BatmanVsSupermanMovie.com - which made it possible to assume that the sequel would be called “Batman vs. Superman”, and not “Superman vs. Batman” ^[9] .

In September 2013, film operator Larry Fong announced that the film would be called Batman vs. Superman. Later CEO Warner Bros. Kevin Tsujihara at a conference call with shareholders at the mention of a future project also called him “Batman v Superman”. In November 2013, the media published information about other possible film titles after Warner Bros. registered several domain names with the name “Man of Steel” and a number of different subheadings referring to Batman. Among the registered names were “Man of Steel: The Battle of the Knight”, “Man of Steel: The Darkness Comes”, “Man of Steel: The Fall of the Knight” and others ^{[10] [11]} .

On May 21, Warner announced the official title for The Man of Steel sequel: Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice ^[12] . Along with this, the official website of the same name was launched and the official logo was shown. In a press release, Warner representatives voiced the long-known cast and launched the production process. Some publications, in particular Variety , have suggested that the name of the film is associated with the future adaptation of the Justice League project, which plans to combine the main superheroes of this franchise ^[13] .

As a standalone movie

The first plan for the Batman and Superman movie came about in the summer of 2001, when Andrew Kevin Walker was hired by Warner Bros. for writing a script. Akiva Goldsman was later assigned to rewrite Walker's script.

In his version of the script, Bruce Wayne laid down his Batman mantle five years before the events described. By then, Dick Grayson , Alfred Pennyworth, and Commissioner Gordon were dead, and Bruce himself was tormented by a nervous breakdown and depression. He decides to marry his sweetheart Elizabeth Miller, and invites Clark Kent to be a best man. Clark himself is undergoing a divorce from Lois Lane and lives in Smallville with . During the honeymoon, the Joker kills Elizabeth and Wayne puts on his cloak again to avenge his archenemy. Superman tries to stop him and Batman accuses him of not interfering with the murder of Elizabeth. Superheroes converge in a decisive battle. But later it turns out that the clash of heroes was the plan of Lex Luthor and old friends team up to stop the supervillain.

Batman was supposed to play Christian Bale ^[14] , Superman - Josh Hartnett ^[15] , and Wolfgang Petersen ^[16] was supposed to be the director. Filming was scheduled for early 2003 and will be completed in six months. A release date was set for the summer of 2004 ^[17] . But the film was canceled so that the studio could focus on individual films of superheroes ^[18] , which became “ Batman: The Beginning ” and “ Superman Returns ”. Petersen hoped to make the film later, with Christian Bale as Batman. ^[nineteen]

In the first scene of the film “ I Am Legend ” (7 min. 47 sec.), The screenwriter of which was Akiva Goldsman , an unused poster of the film was shown - the Superman symbol inside the Batman logo ^[20] .

As a sequel to "Man of Steel"

On June 10, 2013, it was announced that film director Zack Snyder and screenwriter David S. Goyer would return to continue The Man of Steel ^[21] . Goyer had previously signed a contract for three films: Man of Steel, his sequel and the film Justice League . Christopher Nolan was also expected to return in the sequel as a producer (albeit to a lesser degree of involvement than it was in the first film) ^[22] . On July 20, 2013 at Comic-Con , Zach Snyder announced that in the sequel, besides Superman himself, another well-known DC Comics character, Batman, would also appear. In July, at the Comic-Con San Diego festival, Warner Bros. announced that Superman and Batman will meet for the first time on a large movie screen in the sequel to The Man of Steel, which will also be a reload of the Batman movie series . ^{[23] [24]} During the presentation, the audience heard from the lips of actor Harry Lennix a phrase from Frank Miller 's graphic novel “ The Dark Knight Returns ” (which Batman said in the comic strip) ^[25] :

I want you to remember, Clark , forever, so that you remember this at the most important moments of your life. I want you to remember this hand on your throat, so that you remember the person who defeated you.

The director of “Batman vs. Superman” was Zach Snyder, and David S. Goyer (in collaboration with Snyder) was chosen as the screenwriter ^[26] . The producers of the project are Deborah Snyder, Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan and Charles Roven; Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan are back as executive producers. The role of Superman in the sequel again went to Henry Cavill . Amy Adams ( Lois Lane ), Diane Lane (Martha Kent) and Lawrence Fishborn (Perry White) also returned to their roles.

On August 22, 2013, official information appeared that Batman would be played by actor Ben Affleck . The film itself was supposed to be released on July 17, 2015, however, the release was postponed to March 2016 ^[27] . This was necessary in order to bring all the ideas and aspects related to the work on the film to the end ^[6] . Also, the premiere was postponed to March 2016, it was justified by the creators, among other things, in order to avoid rolling competition with the film “ First Avenger: Confrontation ”, which was released on May 6, 2016 ^[28] .

The film also features such characters as Barry Allen / Flash performed by actor Ezra Miller , Arthur Curry / Aquaman performed by Jason Momoa and Victor Stone / Cyborg performed by Ray Fisher , who had a small cameo in the film and whose roles will be expanded in future films. ^{[29] [30] [31]} In the short scene of the film, Steppenwulf was also introduced, who will become the main antagonist in the film Justice League . The scene was not included in the theatrical version of the film, but on March 28 it was published on the network of Warner Bros. itself, ^[32] before it was included in the Special Edition, which contains about 30 minutes of additional scenes. ^[33]

In May 2014, it was reported that the film would be called “Batman vs. Superman: At the Dawn of Justice”. ^[34]

Characters and Actors

On June 20, 2013 at Comic-Con, it was announced that Henry Cavill would again play the role of Superman , Amy Adams would return to the role of Lois Lane , Diane Lane would play Martha Kent and Lawrence Fishborn - Perry White ^{[35] [36]} . After the release of Man from Steel on the screens, ComicBookMovie reported that Batman could be played by actor Tyler Hacklin , but the company itself did not give official confirmation of this rumor. ^{[37] [38]}

At the end of July 2013, rumors circulated that in the sequel Batman would be much older than Superman , and that Warner Bros. studio already looking for candidates for the role of Batman over the age of 40 years ^{[39] [40]} . Many resources put forward their assumptions about who exactly will play this character; Among the main contenders for this role were such actors as: Richard Armitage , Josh Brolin , Ryan Gosling , Joe Mangagnello , Max Martini , Matthew Goode , Scott Adkins , John Hamm , Karl Urban , Eric Bana ^{[41] [42]} .

On August 17, 2013, Cosmic Book News started a rumor that a source from DC Entertainment provided them with a list of actors who will be auditioned for the role of Batman, and such names as Wes Bentley , Jake Gyllenhaal , Luke Evans , Ben Affleck . The resource also reported that the character role tests will be held in September / October 2013; and that the first candidate for the role of Batman - Tyler Heklin , according to the film company, looks too young for this role and therefore he will not pass the tests ^{[43] [44]} .

On August 22, 2013, official information finally appeared about the performer of the role of Batman - he was actor Ben Affleck ^[45] . In 2003, he had already played another comic book character - Daredevil ^[46] . Also in 2006, Affleck wore a Superman costume in the George Reeves movie .

September 12, 2013 the head of Warner Bros. Kevin Tsujihara reported exactly what Batman will be played by Ben Affleck: “... Batman [in the film] is a kind of tired, exhausted and mature character. He has long been at his post ” ^{[47] [48]} .

Affleck himself in an interview spoke about why he again agreed to get into the skin of a superhero:

This was a unique approach to Batman, which nevertheless did not go against mythology. I became interested. Suddenly, an understanding of the character came to me. When people see the film, it will make more sense than now or even than for me initially. I do not want to give out details, but the idea in the new Batman is not to try to compete with Batman Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan, but at the same time exist within the canon. Our version will be older and wiser, especially in terms of its comparison with Superman Henry Cavill.

- ^[49]

Although Warner Bros. and DC Entertaiment did not officially confirm the presence of this character in the film, on August 8, 2013 several sites reported possible candidates for the role of Superman’s sworn enemy. For example, Digital Spy reported that it is possible that actor Mark Strong will play this character ^[50] , while the Latino Review website suggested that actor Brian Cranston will play Luthor ^[51] . After 3 days, the resource metro.us reported that Brian Cranston "is not averse to playing Luthor in the sequel." ^[52] At the end of August 2013, MSN Entertainment reported that Cranston denied the rumor of his involvement in the film. ^{[53] [54]}

On November 7, 2013, Variety reported that Gal Gadot , Elodi Jung and Olga Kurylenko are being considered for the role of Wonder Woman ^[55] . In early December 2013, it was officially announced that the Israeli actress Gal Gadot, known from the Fast and the Furious films, will play the role of Wonder Woman. At the casting, the actress thought she was trying on the role of Catwoman , not Wonder Woman. ^{[56] [57]}

On January 31, 2014, American actor Jesse Eisenberg and British actor Jeremy Irons joined the project, they will play the roles of Lex Luthor and Alfred Pennyworth ^{[58] [59] [60]} .

On April 3, 2014, the company announced that Kallen Mulvey , Tao Okamoto and Holly Hunter had joined the cast of the film ^[61] . On April 25, Variety, citing reliable sources, announced the replenishment of the cast of Batman vs. Superman, Ray Fisher will play Victor Stone, better known as Cyborg, his role will be more of a cameo ^[62] . At the end of June, it became known that Scoot McNairie joined the cast , but his role is still kept in the strictest confidence. McNary was supposed to play a significant DC Comics character. ^[63] Also in June, actor Jason Momoa got the role of Aquaman as a cameo . In the summer, Harry Lennix and Christina Wren returned to the roles of General Swanwick and Carrie Farris.

Shooting

According to Snyder and Goyer, they drew inspiration from the Batman comic to create the film . The Return of the Dark Knight , ^[64] but at the same time, the picture will not be an exact adaptation of the work. ^[65]

October 19, 2013 saw the first filming of the film at educational institutions East Los Angeles College and Victor Valley College ^[66] . The Zach Snyder film crew came to the game of American football among these colleges, where during the break the stadium turned into the stadium of Gotham University, which hosted the team from Metropolis. According to the Batman-News portal, scenes of the game itself were shot, as well as scenes where the crowd was happy and, on the contrary, crushed ^[67] On May 13, Zack Snyder tweeted the first photograph of actor Ben Affleck in the form of Batman . In addition, Snyder unveiled a photograph of the superhero-using vehicle, Batmobile ^[68] . At the end of July, the first full-fledged photograph of Batman performed by Ben Affleck ^[69] was presented at the Comic-Con festival in San Diego. Later, on the Saturday panel of Warner Bros. the studio presented a promo with all the main members of the Justice League , which also had the first image of Gal Gadot in the image of Wonder Woman ^[70] . In August, it became known that Morocco will become one of the filming locations. Morocco is supposedly home to Wonder Woman. ^[71]

The main shootings started on May 21, 2014 in Detroit. The film was also shot in Illinois, Africa and the South Pacific. ^[72] Additional filming took place in the Yorkville, Illinois and New Mexico area at the end of 2014. ^[73]

For the musical accompaniment of the film are responsible Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL .

Additional

• Amazing Grace
• “Man of Steel” (From Hans Zimmer's album for “Man of Steel” )

The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. On the Rotten Tomatoes website , the film's rating is 27% based on 375 reviews with an average rating of 4.9 out of 10 ^[74] . Resource Metacritic gave the film a rating of 44 out of 100 based on 51 reviews ^[75] . However, the audience accepted the film well. On the Rotten Tomatoes website, the audience rating was 66% ^[76] , and on the IMDb website, 6.7 out of 10 ^[77] .

Despite the negative reviews from critics, the film successfully started on large screens; on the first day, the tape managed to raise 82 million dollars in the United States , and over the first weekend - $ 166 million ($ 422.5 million, taking into account all countries) ^[78] .

At the moment, the picture is 63rd in the list of highest-grossing films of all time and 5th in the list of highest-grossing films of 2016, earning $ 873.6 million.

• batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.com (English) - the official website of the film