Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is inarguably one of this year’s most highly-anticipated movies and it’s set to be enormous for Warner Bros., as it sets up the DC Extended Universe with a slate of films set to run up to 2020. However, a new report suggests that studio executives are worried after the movie was screened to a select few people and being met with a somewhat mixed response.
The report comes from HitFix’s main film critic Drew McWeeny (via Squareeyed), here’s what he had to say: “Warner is a little bit worried. This movie is starting to scare them. It’s scaring them because they’re showing it to people now, people are actually laying eyes on the film now, and the response has not been what I think they wanted. If I were going to lay a bat on how it may happen, Suicide Squad, they’ll go all-in on. They’ll push all their chips in on that and I think Suicide Squad’s going to be a hit for them. I think Wonder Woman will be finished the way they’re working on it right now and they’ll release it. I would be surprised if Justice League starts shooting when they say it’s going to, and I would be equally surprised if Zack Snyder directed it.”
It was reported back in November that Justice League Part One would begin shooting in the early part of this year and Henry Cavill posted a photo last week saying that he had started training to get in shape for the movie but McWeeny has predicted that it will be pushed back in favour of a different project, potentially Ben Affleck’s solo Batman movie.
“My guess is what’s going to happen is based on what I’m hearing… I’ve talked to enough people who have seen the film now that I’m starting to sweat a little, if Justice League is going to get moved back and that Ben Affleck Batman movie, that’s what’s going to end up in that spot. My guess is they’re going to throw whatever money it takes at Ben Affleck to make that Batman film happen sooner rather than later. They’re going to need to rebuild again, they’re going to need to win people over, they’re going to need to lay some different groundwork. I don’t think this is going to be the springboard into the Justice League that they wanted it to be.”
However, now Batman on Film (via Batman-News) are reporting: “Warner Bros. is indeed concerned about Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but not because of the quality of the movie. They’re more concerned about how the audience will respond to it, and how it will perform at the box office. BOF speculates that the mainstream audience is used to the “popcorn” movies that Marvel produces, and won’t respond well to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s deep story that was written by an Oscar winner.”
Woah… shots fired
Nothing is confirmed at this stage but McWeeny is a well-connected film critic and, although we’re not taking his word as gospel by any stretch, it is intriguing that such reports are finding their way through the grapevine. Captain America: Civil War recently had a test screening with those who watched it reportedly ecstatic at the film, so it’ll be interesting to hear if Dawn of Justice has an equally successful screening.
Of course, all speculation and rumours will be put to bed when the film is released in cinemas on March 25.
In related news:
We’re only six weeks away from finally seeing Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but it looks as though Warner Bros. are ready to ramp up the excitement ten fold in the meantime.
Good Morning America aired a TV spot for the movie while teasing a ‘surprise announcement that will knock you out.’
GMA was promoting the upcoming appearance of Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill to their show this Tuesday and has sparked off a tide of speculation over what it could be.
Some onlookers have opined that it’s merely an overly-dramatic way of teasing tickets going on sale or something as mundane as that. Others have also predicted it’s a competition opening for a chance to win tickets to the premiere. As much as we hate to admit it for the sake of our excitement, that sounds more likely.
However, others have speculated much more exciting news about Batman v Superman and the DC Extended Universe as a whole, such as the confirmation of a new character or even official confirmation of Affleck directing and starring in a Batman solo movie, as has been mooted for several months now.
Watch the teaser (beware of terrible audio) below teasing the so-called knockout exclusive…
And finally, here’s the Chinese Trailer with a special (unintentionally) hilarious intro from Henry Caville and Ben Affleck
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