Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicehas almost made its way into theaters and the hype for has never been higher. With all of that hype comes the requisite slew of theories and speculation. Studio “leaks” and hot scoops have circulated the web, and while some of these rumors have been confirmed one way or the other, many questions are still left up in the air.
This list is dedicated to all of those rumors that we hope are true, despite still wanting to be surprised by the events of BvS. Gathering together some of the most plausible and exciting gossip from around the web concerning this universe launching movie, there are a select few of these rumors that we want to actually see on the big screen. Now that we’re less than two weeks away from one of the year’s most anticipated films, all of the following theories will very soon be either confirmed or disproven, but until then, all we can do is wait and discuss.
Here are the 10 Batman v Superman Rumors We Want to Be True.
10. Joker Cameo
Ever since the Comic-Con trailer was released by Warner Bros. last July, it has been speculated that the 1980s comic book run, Batman: A Death in the Family would be featured in some capacity during Batman v Superman. This controversial best-seller tells the story of Jason Todd, the second comic book Robin, and his untimely death at the hands of the Caped Crusader’s most formidable foe, the Joker.
For almost a year now, rumors have been circulating around the web, stating that Jared Leto’s Joker would be appearing in an iconic, cameo role in which he murders the Boy Wonder. While the shot of Robin’s suit from the trailer — featuring Robin’s suit with the inscription “HA HA HA Jokes on you BATMAN” — suggests a reference to the fan favorite villain at the very least, we are hoping to see a little more from Mr. J. BvS has quite a few characters on its plate as it is, but we’re holding out hope that the Clown Prince of Crime pops in to say hello at some point.
9. Scoot McNairy Portrays Jimmy Olsen
One actor who has been particularly hard to peg down in this film is Halt and Catch Firestar Scoot McNairy. While we know that he is, in fact taking part in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the question of which character he is portraying still remains a mystery.
The rumor mill has been churning for some time now, and a few popular theories have been circulating the web. From a Cyborg-helping side character to the Flash, McNairy has been rumored to be playing just about every role under the sun over the last few years. The leading hypothesis now is that his character is unique to this film altogether, but we are crossing our fingers for the Daily Planet photojournalist, Jimmy Olsen. Not only is the photographer a fan-favorite friend to the Man of Steel, but he would also add another, non-super powered face to a film that is already chock-full of heroes and villains.
8. Green Lantern Tease
Another name whose role has remained a secret thus far is that of television actor, Dan Amboyer (Younger). Supposed leaks and sources have suggested Amboyer is portraying Hal Jordan, also known as the Green Lantern, but as instructed by the studio, the relative unknown has remained fairly tight-lipped about his character in the film. He did however, have some interesting comments concerning the behind-the-scenes process:
While these comments confirm absolutely nothing about the origins of his character, Amboyer’s choice of words has definitely raised some questions about whether or not he could potentially be joining the Justice League as part of the Green Lantern corps. If these rumors do turn out to be true however, we are hoping that the reveal is no more than a quick tease or cameo. With the introduction of Wonder Woman, Batman, as well as several other Justice League members all confirmed to take place in this movie, Zack Snyder and company have enough to balance already without adding too much more to the mix. Still, a nod to the audience regarding a potential Green Lantern would still be a ton of fun for moviegoers, perhaps even more so if John Stewart were to be involved as well.
7. Watchmen-style Montage of the Justice League
There has been a lot of questions surrounding the formation of the Justice League, and just how much of a role Batman v Superman will play in that formation. The leading theory for the past few months now is that a montage – much like the opening sequence from another of Snyder’s comic book movies, Watchmen – would help transition moviegoers from Batman v Superman into future Justice League films.
We are big fans of this rumor considering the fact that, despite the decidedly mixed reaction to the Watchmen film, the opening credit montage played to the tune of Bob Dylan’s “The Times, They Are a-Changin’” was one of the absolute high points of the movie. This would be a unique way to not only introduce some of the new characters into the DC Extended Universe, but also a fun method to change pace and differentiate itself from rival Marvel Studios’ trademark post-credits scenes.
6. WB’s Standing Ovation
Just over six months ago, reports of a secret screening for studio executives of a near finished Batman v Superman spread like wildfire, carrying with it even more rumors. As legend has it, the Warner Bros. private screening prompted rave reviews from the big wigs and even received a standing ovation. In fact, the showing supposedly went over so well that the higher-ups called Ben Affleck the “definitive” Batman, and as a result, the studio green lit an Affleck-directed standalone movie.
Now, a standing ovation from the studio that is producing the film is kind of like your mom wearing a macaroni necklace you made in second grade — supportiveness is the name of the game. This news is not something to get super excited about, but it is certainly better than the alternative. Also, an Affleck-directed Batman film is an exciting idea, and most likely at least part of the reason he was brought on board to don the cowl.
5. The “Nightmare” Scene is a Premonition
By now, we are probably all aware of the “Nightmare” scene, which has been glimpsed in multiple trailers. Action figures and toys of the desert-suited Dark Knight have been aptly named “Knightmare Batman,” seemingly confirming what most fans had suspected all along.
Instead of being a mere dream, rumors have circulated that the sequence is in fact a premonition. The idea that this desert scene is actually a premonition makes much more sense concerning the bigger picture of the universe. Assuming none of the characters yet know who Darkseid is, it doesn’t add up that anyone would dream up a villain that they had never met before. If it is perhaps a premonition of things to come, this could potentially be an interesting taste of the future of the DC Extended Universe, but more on that in a bit. Frankly, we’re just hoping that whole neck-snapping thing really is just a bad dream.
4. Two Big Battles Between Batman and Superman
The same supposed “leaks” claiming that Dan Amboyer is playing Hal Jordan have also stated that there are two big battles between the titular characters. This rumor is exciting due to the fact that the promise of Batman and Superman clashing on the big screen is actually being fulfilled by Snyder and company even more so than we could have hoped.
Many moviegoers were perhaps a bit disappointed to see Lex Luthor and Doomsday featured in the second full-length trailer, rather than the battle between the two heroes. With word of two major battles between the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader stated by this supposed leak, the promise of the titular clash remaining the principal focus of the film gives fans exactly what was advertised. No matter who wins, we witness these titans fight it out in epic fashion. Of course, we also want to see the two heroes come together, fight the forces of evil, and form the Justice League, but not before moviegoing audiences get the brawl that was promised all the way back at Comic Con 2013, when the film was first announced.
3. Robin(s?)
Surely at this point, everyone following the development of this film have heard this rumor discussed ad nauseum. We’ve all seen the old Robin display case suit, but whose is it? Is this universe going to follow the aforementioned Batman: A Death in the Family storyline and kill off Jason Todd, or was it perhaps a different iteration of the character. It could be Dick Grayson, or perhaps even a brand new Robin invented specifically for this universe. While nothing is certain concerning the Boy Wonder in the DC Extended Universe, it is apparent that we will see at least one version of the Batman sidekick, dead or alive.
What makes the rumor of another Robin so exciting is the fact that moviegoers have not seen a big screen version of the dynamic duo in quite some time, and most would argue that the ’90s iterations were disappointing to say the least. One character audiences have yet to see in a live-action film is Nightwing, Grayson’s superheroic alter ego that he adopts after stepping down as Batman’s sidekick. As previously stated, this film is already packed full of characters and story arcs to get through in just over 150 minutes, but still, a reference or a small tease to the existence of one or multiple Robins would certainly be exciting. And of course, we’re still holding out hope that the rumors of the Red Hood featuring in the Batman solo film.
2. Justice League Assembled
Don’t mistake our optimism for naivety. We don’t want to see the entire formation of the Justice League in this one movie – especially considering the character development and world building that Batman v Superman already has on its plate – but a taste of things to come would be a much welcome treat for the fans. If done similarly to the previously discussed Watchmen-esque montage, this gathering of heroes may not feel so shoehorned into the film.
It is important that, if this rumor happens to be true, it does not come at the expense of the Batman v Superman story. Whatever serves this film best is obviously what we want to see on screen, but illuminating a path to the Justice League would help guide our future expectations for the universe. While this movie should certainly stand on its own, we are cautiously optimistic that BvS can lead into the Justice League without sacrificing this film’s story.
1. Darkseid Revealed
Anyone who’s read their share of DC comics knows that Darkseid is kind of a big deal. He is one of the most powerful villains in the DC universe, and is known as one of the Justice League’s most formidable opponents. He’s been shown to have a wide range of abilities — otherworldly speed and strength, flight, nigh-invulnerability, the ability to trap his enemies in alternate realities, use telepathy and telekinesis, create various avatars of himself, and even erase organisms from existence with his infamous Omega Beams, just to name a few. Darkseid is a villain that has a range of powers that will not only test the strength of the Justice League, but would also simply be a blast to watch on the big screen.
Not only are his powers impressive, but his motives are interesting as well. With the desire to eliminate free will from the entire universe, Darkseid’s main goal is to obtain the Anti-Life Equation, an equation that has been said to allow its user the ability to control the will of any sentient race. This villain is much more complex than the run-of-the-mill, conquer the world type that we’ve seen over and over again, and we hope that we will soon be able to see him in the DC Extended Universe, going toe to toe against a fully assembled Justice League.
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Now that the nearly three year long wait for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is finally almost over, what rumors would you like to see realized on the big screen? Is there any way this film will live up to the hype? Make sure to let us know in the comments.