Ben Affleck is the new Batman!

"Ben Affleck, you've just won your second Oscar. What are you going to do now?"

"I'm Batman."

Folks, Ben Affleck is your new Batman. This is no joke.  Affleck is the new caped crusader of Gotham city for the Man of Steel sequel in which Batman faces off against Superman. Coming his huge Best Picture win with Argo this year, no one could predict that they saw this startling announcement coming. Looks like he was serious when he announced at the DGAs (when he won the night's big prize for best director) and in front of the roomful of some of the top directors that he was still available for roles.

Affleck is not forsaking his acting career for directing as yet. He still on board to direct and star (like Argo) in the film adaptation of Dennis Lehane's novel Live by Night and act in another book adaptation, Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl to be directed by David Fincher which will also release in 2015.

2015 is going to be huge year for Hollywood.  Disney alone has The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Star Wars: Episode VII, two Pixar features Inside Out and Finding Dory, the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean, Cinderella and the bonus Marvel film Ant-Man.  Whew! Meanwhile, Universal Pictures has Jurassic Park 4 and Paramount Pictures has Terminator 5.  Warner Bros. needs a lot of muscle to go up against these films and who better than the biggest superheroes in the world, Batman and Superman in the same film?  I'm guessing this will be launching pad for the long rumored Justice League franchise as well. 

I don't doubt that Affleck is bad actor.  I have held my actor stock in Affleck throughout the years from Forces of Nature to Pearl Harbor to Surviving Christmas to Hollywoodland and beyond.  Remember, he has tackled a superhero film before with Daredevil who's popularity lead to spin-off film for his wife, Jennifer Garner, who played Elektra instead.  My worry is that it's too soon to be launching and rebooting the Batman universe (and to include Superman) right after Christopher Nolan's masterful The Dark Knight trilogy.  Those films will stand the test of time. And Christian Bale's Batman lead other actors to believe that they too could merge critical success with the box-office in a superhero film.

Director Zack Snyder insists that this older and wiser Batman will bring an "interesting counter-balance" to the younger Superman.  Summer 2015 is still two years away.  We will have time to process and the scheme of the films lined up for 2015, this matchup of Batman vs. Superman won't seem as surprising as it does now.  What were your thoughts when you first heard the news?

News Update Comic-Con Edition: Superman, X-Men, Avengers and More!

Okay, so let's discuss what we have learned (and are still trying to digest) from this year's Comic-Con over in San Diego. 

Photo: Cinema Blend

• Caesar Rises Again!  A first look at Dawn of the Planet of the Apes directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) shows us how the years after The Rise of the Planet of the Apes have been as we saw (SPOILER ALERT) Caesar leading the rest of the apes back to the forest.  In this film, due next summer, Reeves reveals that the situation has worsened as humans have been fighting against the apes.  The sequel's cast includes Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, Judy Greer, Keri Russell and of course, motion capture artist extraordinaire Andy Serkis as Caesar.

Photo: 20th Century Fox

• The cast for X-Men: Days of Future Past is massive featuring Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Jennifer Lawrence, Peter Dinklage, Nicholas Hoult, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Evan Peters (as Quicksilver), Omar Sy (as Bishop) and many more. I think I've probably missed a few.  What does this mean for the time-traveling mutant film? Head on over to MTV News for a quick recap of the panel.

Photo: Entertainment Weekly

• Lots of juicy info from Marvel on their upcoming films.  Loki is back to his nefarious ways in Thor: The Dark World, Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow has quite a substantial role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and the big reveal, the title for Avengers 2 is (drumroll, please) Avengers: Age of Ultron.  Any ideas on what this means for the Avengers? 

Photo: Indiewire

• DC Comics and Warner Bros. are not far behind on the big reveal either.  The biggest news, and it's a bit of a shocker, is that the next Man of Steel sequel will feature both Superman (of course!) and Batman (whoa!).  Director Zack Synder announced the news to an ecstatic Hall H at Comic-Con.  Is this the start of the long rumored Justice League franchise?  I really think so.  But my biggest question is: Is Christopher Nolan going to be involved?

Summer's Hottest Trailers: Man of Steel and Star Trek Into Darkness

Are we sure Man of Steel is not really directed by Christopher Nolan and not just produced by him? Because this trailer bears all his marks. This origin story of Superman looks incredibly promising with first looks of  Krypton, his father Jor-El (Russell Crowe), his adoptive father on Earth (Kevin Costner), Zod (Michael Shannon) and Lois Lane (Amy Adams).  Could this Superman film do what Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy did for the Batman brand? And what does the 'S' stand for? We’ll find out June 14, 2013.

 

The final trailer for this summer's most anticipated sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, shows Benedict Cumberbatch's John Harrison luring the impulsive Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and the Enterprise crew into a trap.  Will they survive?  I'd put some pretty good odds on it. Star Trek Into Darkness hit theaters May 17th 2013

Henry Cavill in first still as Man of Steel

In the first look at Henry Cavill as Superman, we are treated a much muscular costume than previous versions.  Is Superman trying to compete with Batman? Either way, I'm not sure what to think about this.  Let's see what the first teaser trailer holds, eh?  Because Cavill is hardly recognizable here and I still wish they had taken the very charming Matt Bomer (White Collar) as the Man of Steel.  I don't know why but I keep picturing him as perfect for the role; he was Brett Ratner's first choice when he was at one time being considered as director.  Ah, what could have been!

Michael Shannon cast as General Zod

If you've seen my previous posts on the Superman man, then you've guessed that the villain announcement was due.  And here it is!   Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road, Broadwalk Empire) has been named as Zod in the new Superman: Man of Steel.  General Zod was previously played by Terrence Stamp in Superman Saga.  One thing is for sure, this film has cast all actors who can show amazing range and who previous to this haven't been involved in a superhero saga before.  Add the fact that it's been produced by Christopher Nolan who brings Batman expertise and Zack Synder who knows a thing or two about action flicks, this Superman movie shows real promise.  I sincerely hope it stays that way.  

Amy Adams is the new Lois Lane!

The Superman: Man of Steel announcements are moving along in an orderly fashion.  The director, Zack Synder, Clark Kent, his parents, now Lois Lane.  It's Amy Adams!  The Hero Complex blog first broke the  casting news that Adams had won the role.  I really like the idea of her in this role. Her name hadn't come up before, Jessica Biel was said to be the front runner but I like the pairing of Henry Cavill and Amy Adams and can't wait to see it onscreen.  Up next should be the official villain/archenemy aka Lex Luthor news, no?

Meet The Kents!

New news about the casting of Superman's parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent, and it's two surprising names.  Kevin Costner  (now that's a name we haven't heard in a long time) was announced today as Jonathan and Diane Lane as Martha have been added to the cast a few weeks ago.  As we all know, Henry Cavill is playing the Man of Steel.  It's only time before we shall be hearing on who's playing Lois Lane.  What do you think about the casting of Clark Kent's parents? Good choice or let's wait and see?

Weekly News Roundup: Casting buzz for Superman and Batman!

• Holy Batman! Could Joseph Gordon-Levitt be re-joining his Inception director in The Dark Knight Rises.  We say: Yes, please!  Christopher Nolan himself confirmed that shooting will commence in May.  We'll know before then if Gordon-Levitt is a part of the cast.
• Now that the Man in Steel aka Henry Cavill has been announced, it's time to guess who might be Lois Lane.  The actress shortlist includes Jessica Biel, Olivia Wilde, Rachel McAdams, Malin Akerman and many more.  Expect an press release about this role soon enough too.
• Javier Bardem is seriously being considered for a villainous role in Bond 23.  He is scary good as a villain.  Watch out, Daniel Craig.
• Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand make up the cast of Mother's Curse which involves them going on a mother-son road trip.  Somehow, I can totally pciture them as mother and son already. 
• Until now, Scarlett Johansson was the lone female in the Avengers film.  That may be changing soon.  Deadline is reporting that Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) is very close to joining the Avengers as SHIELD agent Maria Hill.  Word is that she was director Joss Whedon's choice as Wonder Woman too.  Intriguing! 
• After Robert Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp, new Oscar host James Franco's name is being offered as the lead in Oz, the Great and Powerful.  Shame, as I was really looking forward to seeing Robert Downey Jr. interpreting this role.  
• I wasn't sure I read this right, but it turns out that Tarsem Singh wants Julia Roberts to play the Evil Queen in his version of Snow White.  This will be interesting.
• Finally, for all you James Patterson fans, Alex Cross will be played by Tyler Perry.  Is he the right choice for the role?

Breaking News: Henry Cavill cast as Superman!

Zack Synder and Warner Brothers have chosen their Superman.  It's Henry Cavill (The Tudors).  What do we think? 

Quick Update: Movie Deals in place

• It's time to put the rumors to rest.  Zack Synder (300, Watchmen) has been selected, by Christopher Nolan no less, to direct the new Superman reboot.  Nolan will be producing the film and David S. Goyer is writing the script.  Yeah, they're doing this again, so soon after Superman Returns a mere 4 years ago.  Will our thirst for superhero movies never end?  So now that director has been selected, Who's Superman?  Brandon Routh, please do not be standing by the phone.  I like the idea of Jon Hamm as EW suggests but I think he'll be busy with Mad Men.  However, back when Brett Ratner was supposed to direct Superman Returns, his first choice was Matt Bomer (White Collar).  It could still work.  
• Bourne will be back.  Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton), who, incidentally, wrote the previous two scripts in the Bourne saga, is back to direct the fourth movie titled Bourne Legacy.  No word on whether Matt Damon will return as Bourne.  Could he be tempted back or will he be too busy with his current projects? (Side note: Just checked Gilroy's IMDB page and am shocked, shocked I say, to discover that he wrote and directed The Cutting Edge! How did I not know this?)
• Right, where were we?  In the trend of books turned into movies, here's a new one.  These books haven't even been published yet but Summit Entertainment, looking ahead to life after the Twilight series, has grabbed the rights of Julie Cross' unpublished trilogy, Tempest, about a teenager who time-travels into the past, two years before his girlfriend is murdered.