Reports are now surfacing that Warner Bros is getting worried that the upcoming film “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” won’t exceed its own expectations.
According to ComicBookResources, the reception to internal screenings to the high-profile DC Comics-based superhero film directed by Zack Snyder isn’t what the studio had been hoping for.
Reports say that if “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” won’t generate Warner Bros’ anticipated hype and doesn’t become a major blockbuster hit, this means that there could possibly be a dramatic shift in the DC films master plan.
Warner Bros has made it clear from the start that they have placed a very high degree of importance on “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” as it will serve as the anchor to launch other superhero films like the two-part “Justice League,” “Wonder Woman,” “Aquaman,” and “The Flash.”
Warner Bors released the DC film lineup last October with “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Suicide Squad” leading the roster this year. “Wonder Woman” and the first part of “Justice League” is expected to hit theaters by 2017.
“The Flash” which is currently in its second season on The CW, is set to have a movie version slated for a March 2018 release. Ezra Miller will portray the speedy superhero in the film adaptation.
“Aquaman” starring “Game of Thrones” alum Jason Momoa is set to hit theaters in July 2018. April 2019 will mark the premiere of “Shazam” starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
“Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” sees Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne and Henry Cavill’s Clark Kent go to a grand clash of heroic ideologies.
However, they have to put their differences aside in order for their alter-egos to defeat Lex Luthor and Doomsday.
Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne reprise their roles from “Man of Steel” as Lois Lane, Martha Kent, and Perry White, respectively.
Film reporter Drew McWeeny spoke to Hitflix and says that the current response to the upcoming superhero movie is starting to scare Warner Bros.
McWeeny shares that the studio is confident in its other upcoming DC Comics-based film “Suicide Squad” which is scheduled to hit theaters on August 5 and stars Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Will Smith, among others.
McWeeny also believes that the production for the upcoming Gal Gadot-starrer “Wonder Woman” will commence as planned.
“Suicide Squad” is of equal importance to “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” as the latter introduces the heroes while the former introduces the villains. Affleck will reprise his Batman role and make a cameo in the anti-hero film.
However, if “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” will be a flop, then McWeeny predicts some seismic shifts in the lineup, stating that the movie will have to make a billion dollars for people to keep their jobs.
A specific implication if the forthcoming movie doesn’t succeed blockbuster expectations is that the stand-alone “Batman” movie starring Ben Affleck could take the place of “Justice League: Part 1” which is currently scheduled for a November 2017 release.
The film reporter says that Affleck’s caped hero is one of the well-received parts of the movie which may explain the heavy focus on the character on the film’s teasers and trailers.
McWeeny adds that the other bright spot is Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor. He didn’t give any comment on Henry Cavill’s Superman but says that how “Man of Steel” was received speaks well enough.
It was also obvious how Warner Bros has been putting more effort in promoting and marketing the superhero action film. Many teasers, images, and TV spots were released before the full official trailer was unveiled.
Last month, a 30-minute special titled “DC Films Presents: Dawn of Justice on The CW” was aired to introduce fans to the world of DC. The special was hosted by comic book fan Kevin Smith.