LaaF…Culture!

A few weeks ago, Zack Snyder announced at Comic-Con that the sequel to “Man of Steel” would include Batman and is currently being referred to as “Superman vs Batman.”  In recent days, we’ve learned other things too.  The new movie won’t be based on “The Dark Knight Returns,” the groundbreaking comic that featured Batman and Superman physically at each others’ throats, but author Frank Miller will consult.  It sounds like the WB wants an older Batman and there have even been some names tossed around.

Like every good nerd, I am freaking out at this news.  I didn’t get into Hall H this year, but I can imagine that all hell broke loose when Zack made that announcement. I can imagine fanboys and girls passing out in the aisles full on Beatlemania style.  Still, I have some reservations about this team up.

Reservations:

1. We need a Superman sequel that shows him manifesting what it means to be a hero on a day to day basis.  We still don’t know much about Henry Cavill’s and Zack Snyder’s interpretation of the character. Has the world come around to accepting Superman? Has the military continued to monitor him?  What is the dynamic between Clark and Lois? Does Clark regret killing Zod?  There’s a lot to develop here, and if the introduction of Batman into this universe doesn’t help forward that, this movie will feel cheap.

2. Batman needs his own reboot.  To meet and establish a brand new Batman when we’ve barely met Superman would feel rushed and underdeveloped. The audience will have the same questions about Clark Kent as they will about Bruce Wayne.

3. We need to earn this team up.  Over at io9.com, they did an article about what they called, somewhat crudely, the problem with “premature nerdgasms.”  Basically, that’s when studios present nerds with shout outs to iconic moments in comic books, for example, without properly setting them up in the movie.  Writer Charlie Anders and I both agree that we need to properly see a Superman and Batman apart before we can see them come together. And if they end up beating each other up, that fight only contains emotional resonance if we have seen their previous friendship.  I’m arguing that we haven’t seen enough of either character to care yet.  Sure, it’ll be a spectacular fight scene, but it’ll be hollow.

Nevertheless, a Superman – Batman team up would be fantastic. It’s done all the time in comics and animation with good results.  But what makes this team great is that we know there is an abiding friendship between these two heroes and that takes time to establish.

Zack Snyder’s just the latest person to try and do this, and here are some suggestions on how it could work in his universe.  Everything hinges on one question: How does Bruce Wayne fit into Clark’s universe?  In essence, WWBD: What would Bruce do … with the Man of Steel?

Suggestions:

1.Bruce Wayne, like the rest of the world, watched as aliens attempted to destroy Earth and saw the devastation wreaked on Metropolis.  Realizing that Superman is probably the most powerful being on the planet and is capable of serious destruction, he goes to Metropolis to investigate. He’ll go under the auspices of Wayne Enterprises (remember the satellite?) and attempt to get in on the rebuilding contracts.

2. There will have to be an obligatory fight scene.  I don’t really want one, but we’re going to get something akin to Captain America, Iron Man and Thor going at it in “Avengers.”  Zack will try to pull a scene like this, and I hope he tries to make it mean something. I suggest having a scene where Superman and Batman are interrogating some crony for information on the Big Bad’s evil plan.  Batman gets too rough, and Superman attempts to rein him in.  Some dialogue like this happens:

“That’s enough! He doesn’t know anything. You’re going to kill him,” Superman says.

“I’m just getting started,” growls Batman.  (By the way, I’m totally writing this imagining these lines delivered by Kevin Conroy – the definitive Batman for my generation.)  Batman pushes Superman out of his way.

“Stop.” Superman imposes his bulk between Batman and the criminal. He will not be moved.

“What are you afraid of? That I’ll kill him…like you killed Zod?”

Superman goes nuts. His PTSD is all coming back, but Batman is ready. He presses a button on his utility belt and his armor begins to change.  Green liquid begins to flow through veins opening up all along the Batsuit.  He begins to emit a green glow. It’s kryptonite!

Superman begins to stagger and Batman punches him in the face.

You can imagine the rest.

3. Secret identities need to be revealed.  If Lois can figure out who Clark is, Bruce can do it too.  Superman’s X-Ray vision will render Batman’s mask moot.

4. Dick Grayson accompanies Bruce Wayne to Metropolis.  He goes undercover at the Daily Planet to learn more about Clark and if he can be trusted.  He develops a friendship with intern Jenny Olson, and we get a glimpse into how Clark interacts at the Planet.

5. I like the idea that Batman should be older. It’d be great to have a veteran Batman mentor a young Superman.  Bruce can properly teach Clark how to hide an identity.

6. None of this works without a big threat.  This will be tricky. We just met Superman and we don’t even know Batman.  To give Batman a threat he can’t handle without super-assistance runs the risk of making him look incompetent. To add one of Batman’s famous villains into the mix with one of Superman’s also dilutes the amount of time we get to learn about all of the characters.  We just met Clark, now we have to meet Bruce, Lex Luthor and the Joker?  This movie is getting crowded.

Perhaps, have Bruce come to Metropolis to find a way to neutralize Superman, and in the process uncover a threat that could take them all out.  A nefarious plan by Lex Luthor?  An unstable Superman clone commissioned by the government?    There are many possibilities.  As long as the danger is clear and the solution requires the unique talents of both heroes and not just a lot of CGI buildings collapsing, we’ll probably be in good shape.

Good luck, Warner Brothers.  If you can effectively show a burgeoning friendship and establish new incarnations of these two icons, we should have a hit here.  Who am I kidding, even if this movie is terrible, it’ll still make a ton of money.  We want a good movie though.  Please feel free to call the Prof. if you need a consultant!

Tags: batman, Man of Steel, Superman, World's Finest