Ever since Ben Affleck was announced as Batman way back in 2013– and really long before that — the pressure on the makers of Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice have been immense. All comic book flicks face high stakes: they’re never cheap to make and their built-in fan base can be a mixed blessing — with expectations approaching galactic heights. The stakes are even higher for Batman, whose mysterious visage created the market for the adult-aimed superhero blockbuster back in 1989. No one — except maybe Jack Nicholson — could have predicted the popular explosion of comic characters into cinema and culture that would follow.
Now add Superman to Batman, and put yourself in director Zack Snyder‘s shoes. If this movie doesn’t leap tall buildings in a single bound, he’ll probably feel like wearing a cowl for the rest of time. At least at Comic-Con. But Snyder can breathe easy, it seems, after reactions to a private screening this week look positive, if cryptic (reviewers aren’t yet allowed to say what they think due to an embargo). The film hits theaters on March 25. What people can say so far is pretty good:
Just saw #BatmanvSuperman – can’t say anything about it until Tues 6pm EST, but I can say something about the tickets: BUY EM!!!! ??????????
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) March 21, 2016
#BatmanvSuperman made me cry real tears. That is all. #BVSPremiere
— Terrance Pryor (@TerrancePryor) March 21, 2016
I love Keaton more than anyone, but this is the best live action Batman ever. And it’s not even remotely close. #BatmanvSuperman
— Carl Cunningham (@carlcunningham) March 21, 2016
