The Justice League movie just took one step closer to actually happening.
During a joint panel at the San Diego Comic-Con earlier today focusing on Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, moderator Chris Hardwick featured Man of Steel director Zack Snyder and star Henry Cavill on stage. "It’s official that we are going to make another Superman movie," said Snyder. "I’ve poured through the DC Universe for a way to tell this thing."
Harry Lennix, Cavill's fellow Man of Steel actor who played General Swanwick, then arrived on stage to read a specific passage from Frank Miller's 1986 classic Batman: The Dark Returns: "I want you to remember, Clark, in all the years to come, in all your most private moments, I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you."
At that moment, the screen behind the stage changed to display a graphic showing the Superman symbol positioned with the Batman logo, similar to the cover logo for DC Comics' Superman/Batman ongoing series. Snyder quickly denied an adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns, saying, "We're not adapting this thing, but it will help us tell you something."
As previously reported, this 2015 sequel to Man of Steel will have Snyder returning as director with David Goyer again as screenwriter. Cavill will once again portray Superman/Clark Kent, with returning actors Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White and Diane Lane as Martha Kent. The new Batman taking over from Christian Bale has yet to be announced, however. Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas will be executive producers, but also adding Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan from Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy.
A press release shortly followed that gave some additional information:
Official Press Release
On the heels of the worldwide success of “Man of Steel,” director Zack Snyder is bringing together the two greatest Super Heroes of all time—Batman and Superman—for the first time on the big screen. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution,Warner Bros. Pictures.
The current hit, “Man of Steel,” has taken in more than $630 million at the worldwide box office to date, and climbing. Along with its star, Henry Cavill, the upcomingfilm brings back Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane. The new Batman has yet to be cast.
Snyder is co-writing the story with David S. Goyer, who will then pen the screenplay. Production is expected to begin in 2014, with an anticipated release date inSummer 2015.
Silverman stated, “Zack Snyder is an incredibly talented filmmaker, but beyond that, he’s a fan first and he utterly gets this genre. We could not think of anyone better suited to the task of bringing these iconic Super Heroes to the screen in his own way.” Kroll added, “We are thrilled to be back in business with Zack and his team on this next movie. The success of ‘Man of Steel’ is a wonderful testament to the love and support that both fans and new audiences, worldwide, have for these characters. We are very excited to see what Zack has in store for all of us.”
Diane Nelson, President, DC Entertainment, noted,“Superman and Batman together on the big screen is a dream come true for DC fans everywhere. All of us at DCEntertainment could not be more excited for Zack’s continuing vision for the DC Universe.”
Zack Snyder, who made a surprise appearance at Comic-Con today, breaking the news to audiences there, later said, “I’m so excited to begin working again with Henry Cavill in the world we created, and I can’t wait to expand the DC Universe in this next chapter. Let’s face it, it’s beyond mythological to have Superman and our new Batman facing off, since they are the greatest Super Heroes in the world.”
The new film brings back Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder as producers. This time, Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas are serving as executive producers, along with Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan.
Thomas offered, “Whilst our ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy is complete, we have every confidence that Zack’s fresh interpretation will take the character in a new and exciting direction. His vision for Superman opened the door to a whole new universe and we can’t wait to see what Zack does with these characters.”
The film is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, and Batman characters created by Bob Kane, published by DC Entertainment.
Earlier today, The Hollywood Reporter posted details of the expected announcement, adding that movies for The Flash and Justice League would arrive in 2016 and 2017 respectively, but no announcement for these two films was made during the panel.
** UPDATE AS OF 7/22/13 **
And here's video footage of Lennix's reading and the logo reveal, thanks to YouTube user Badtaste.it...