Kevin Smith Teases 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' As Start of Massive Justice League Story

Warner Bros. made it pretty damned obvious they were building towards a Justice League movie by titling the Man of Steel follow-up Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Hey, at least it won't be months of mystery, right? But with that title comes a real concern the film will be less of a Superman-centric story, as evidenced by the mere fact that Superman's name is bracketed by 'Batman' and 'Dawn of Justice'. That goes against what Snyder had been promising before, and according to the ever-chatty Kevin Smith it's all being done for a reason.

Smith, who appears to be a fountain of information when it comes to DC Comics movies for some unknown reason, spilled the details on his podcast that 'Dawn of Justice' is just the first of "five or six" films leading up to "one massive" Justice League story...

Smith: "But look, they’re obviously beginning something, and there’s a stretch of these flick. And so this is the beginning of the Justice League, as we all suspected as they were announcing that cast. We were like, ‘This is the beginning of a Justice League movie.’ From what I understand now, it’s no longer like, ‘This is Superman 2.’ They’re not doing these things. They’re doing like, ‘Here’s Man of Steel. Here’s Batman/Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ The next one is not like a sequel to one of the characters. They’re just going to keep building their universe for about five or six movies.. But all of them… it’s supposed to tell one massive story, which is all Justice League oriented."

The big point there is that Warner Bros. isn't planning to do traditional sequels for these movies at all, choosing to follow specific characters in an interconnected storyline. It's an interesting approach that combines some elements of the Marvel style without completely aping it.  Whatever it turns out to be, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is expected to open May 6th 2016. Now, can we get a different spokesman for these movies other than Kevin Smith? Maybe someone actually involved with them? [Comicbook.com]

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Cinema Royale #63- 'X-men: Days of Future Past'

Cinema Royale's loyal listeners know host Travis Hopson as the ultimate X-men fanatic, so you know this episode will be ENTIRELY DEVOTED TO X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST! Okay, not entirely, but you get the picture. We'll also take a look at the latest Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore comedy, Blended.

Plus, we'll be joined by director Jim Mickle, whose credits include the horrors We Are What We Are and Stakeland, to talk about his throwback revenge flick, Cold in July. The film was a smash at Sundance and stars Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, and Don Johnson.

Cinema Royale is part of the Hashtag Studios Broadcast Network and brings you movie reviews and news straight from the Nation's Capital! Go to www.cinemaroyaleshow.com and subscribe, and while there consider signing up for the premium service for more content and to be entered in our monthly prize drawing!

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'Batman vs. Superman' Titled 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'

When Marvel releases Guardians of the Galaxy later this summer, it will be just another rung on the ladder that Warner Bros. and DC will have to climb in order to catch up. Their superhero franchise has been in a lurch outside of Christopher Nolan's films, but things started to turn around with Man of Steel. And now as Zack Snyder gears up for the sequel, which is expected to be a lead-in for a future Justice League movie, Warner Bros. has given the film a title that basically confirms it.

The Man of Steel sequel is now officially titled Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, earning them 0 points for subtlety. Henry Cavill is back as Superman with Ben Affleck and his chunky suit along as Batman. Also coming aboard are Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, and Holly Hunter, Tao Okamoto (The Wolverine) and Callan Muley in unspecified roles. Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne will be reprising their prior roles, but sadly there won't be any Russell Crowe as Jor-El. Rumors have been going around of Jason Momoa playing a villain although nothing has been set in stone. The point hammered home is that the Justice League will be forming and that Batman is taking the lead here, not Superman.

So there you have it. Principle photography has begun and the Justice League will assemble...oops, wrong team....Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens May 16th 2016 opposite Marvel's Captain America 3.

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