BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (2016): Official Title & Logo

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice begins shooting. Zack Snyder‘s long awaited (and overly speculated upon) follow up to Man of Steel reportedly begins shooting today, and with that news came an official title for the project. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice should put to rest any notion of a “Man of Steel 2,” and treat the project for what it will more likely be: a prequel to Justice League. The fact that Snyder, and much of Dawn of Justice‘s cast, has already signed on for a Justice League treatment seems to reinforce that view.

Official logo for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice:

Official press release for the production:

CAMERAS ROLL ON DIRECTOR ZACK SNYDER’S “BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE” FROM WARNER BROS. PICTURES

 Principal photography is underway in Metro Detroit, Michigan

BURBANK, CA, May 21, 2014 – Filming is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” the highly anticipated action adventure from director Zack Snyder, starring Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, and Ben Affleck as BruceWayne/Batman.

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” also stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, with Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane returning from “Man of Steel,” Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, and Holly Hunter in a role newly created for the film.

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.

Principal photography will take place on location at Michigan Motion Picture Studios and on location in and around Detroit, Michigan; Illinois; Africa; and the South Pacific.

Set to open worldwide on May 6, 2016, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane, and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment.

The last big news to come out of BvS: DoJ was the image of Ben Affleck as Batman, standing next to the latest Batmobile. While the image did not fully settle speculations on the costume or characterization of the anti-hero, for the film, or what his relationship with Henry Cavill‘s Superman will be like, one clear impression came to my mind. An impression that may have been confirmed by first hand – and very credible – witness, Kevin Smith.

Kevin Smith on Ben Affleck’s Batman costume & the released photo:

That’s not a representation of what the suit looks like. What the suit looks like… and I was always kind of keeping it quiet until they revealed it, but they’ve revealed it. And you can kind of see, and anybody that … you’ve seen some people take the picture and color it online. If you want to see what this fucking suit looks like, you just go to Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, go to the third book, “Hunt the Dark Knight” … it’s the exact fucking outfit he’s wearing. That’s why I hugged that guy all those months ago.

From the stubby ears, to the over-sized chest emblem, The Dark Knight Returns was the first thought I had, when I first saw it. If any more convincing is needed, consider this image of the model used for Batman, Arkham City‘s Dark Knight Returns skin. The two depictions cut a very similar image, I’d say.

The Ben Affleck Batman image:

Batman, Arkham City skin model:

The reason any of this matters regards the tone of the match up. Whether the meeting of the cape & the cowl will draw inspiration from the relatively congenial World’s Finest, or the considerably more adversarial Dark Knight Returns. There is also the matter of continuity, and whether the event of Man of Steel first forced a relatively young (and gung-ho) Batman out into the open, or a relatively older (and grizzled) Batman out of retirement.

With any luck, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice will be subject to less rumors & speculation than “Man of Steel 2”.

Leave your thoughts on the Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice official movie title, below in the comments section. For more Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice photos, videos, and information, visit our Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice Page, subscribe to us by Email, “follow” us on Twitter, Tumblr, or “like” on Facebook.

Source: Variety, SmodCast, CBR