It's been nearly three years since the previous installment of Man of Steel and now Warner CEO Kevin Tsujihara announced his decision to delay the release of the much-anticipated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Warner's new movie on the Superman franchise has already been moved twice, with the original release date set on July 2015 then it was moved to May 2016 before finally choosing March 25 next year.
However, the decision could mean 2016 will become a crowded year for superheroes as Marvel's Captain America: Civil War is also scheduled for release next year.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Tsujihara said that aside from trying not to clash with Marvel's Captain America: Civil War, the decision to move Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was also influenced by the disappointing summer earnings for the studio this year. He commented, "It was a tough decision at the time because it was going to create a hole in 2015. But it was absolutely the right decision for the franchise, for DC and the movie.
"Having seen the movie multiple times, and again last night, I'm extremely confident it was the right decision to make the movie better. And it's so important for the studio to get the foundation right on DC."
Tsujihara added that the studio knew 2015 was going to be a transitional year. He added that Warner is aware that this year is going to be challenging "but we were setting up the slate for 2016, 2017 and beyond."
General Zod is Alive
Meanwhile, Michael Shannon who played Zod in Man of Steel is reportedly making a comeback in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In the official trailer of the upcoming Superman movie, General Zod's body was shown on a laboratory table. But in an interview with USA Today, Shannon hinted of a possible return of Genereal Zod in the new Superman movie.
In fact, he said General Zod might play a crucial role not only for Lex Luthor but for the film's storyline as well.
When asked of his possible return in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Shannon replied, "Well, I haven't seen the trailer either, so I don't know what I am in the trailer, I could be a toaster, or a Porsche, I don't know."
Shannon also shared some of his funny experiences while filming some of his scenes. "I was in my costume, and I couldn't use my fingers because in the sequel I have flippers instead of hands. So I had these wax flippers on my fingers, and I couldn't open the door, and I could hear Zack (Snyder) being like, 'Where's Shannon? Where the (expletive) is he?'"
Another rumor suggested that Luthor will kidnap Clark Kent's foster mother on Earth Martha Kent (Diane Lane). Luthor is also speculated to have acquired the powers of The Kryptonian's powers to create Doomsday. In the comic book, Doomsday is a formidable creature who killed Superman.
Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice will hit the screens on March 25, 2016 and will feature Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. Jesse Eisenberg takes on the roles of Lex Luthor.
