Superhero stand-off

Batman, Superman to face personal consequences in upcoming

LOS ANGELES: Superheroes have long existed in a world of their own. But as two of the world’s most iconic caped crusaders collide in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, both are brought crashing down to reality to face the ramifications of their actions.

Batman v Superman — out in US theaters on March 25 — opens with the climax of 2013’s Man of Steel, wherein Superman’s battle with General Zod causes widespread destruction in Metropolis. Bruce Wayne — Batman’s alter ego — sees his company building crumble and blames Superman for the deaths of civilians, which sets up the clash of two superheroes. “I’m a big advocate of the consequences of these movies,” director Zack Snyder said. “Without the consequences, they’re slightly irresponsible in that it’s unconditional violence.”

An older, wearier Batman (Ben Affleck) sets out to destroy Superman (Henry Cavill), crossing paths with the psychotic technology entrepreneur Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) and elusive Diana Prince, the alter ego of Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot). Meanwhile Superman battles growing public discourse against his actions. “There’s always been that little tête-à-tête with Batman and Superman. There has always been that question by fans — who will win in a fight?” Cavill said. Fear also permeates the superhero fight, Affleck said. “The way that we get afraid, how we react — sometimes, that turns us into the worst version of ourselves. There’s no place to go from there but to conflict,” he said.

Warring heroes will also feature in Walt Disney’s Captain America: Civil War in May, where Captain America and Iron Man face off. It offers a new angle to the superhero ensemble films such as Marvel’s Avengers, which have generated billions at the box office in recent years.

Batman v Superman sets the stage for 2017’s Wonder Woman and The Justice League Part One.

Superhero stories sometimes hold a mirror to society, with Superman’s 1938 comic book debut often perceived as answering America’s need for a hero during the Great Depression. Eisenberg claimed Batman v Superman could be seen as a reflection of current American society, particularly with the Machiavellian Luthor, whom he described as “a classic xenophobe” instilling public fear against the alien Superman. “I think if you look at some of the nastier, political discourse in at least our country today, you’d see shades of that,” Eisenberg said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2016.

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