Batman Joins Superman in 'Man of Steel' Sequel But Who Will Play the Dark Knight?

San Diego Comic-Con Hall Erupts in Cheers with News of Super Team-Up

The enthusiastic audience welcomed the news of a Batman/Superman movie in the Man of Steel sequel from director Zack Snyder (and Harry Lennix) at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con. The MOS cast will be returning for the sequel but no word yet who will play Bruce Wayne/Batman. The much anticipated announcement came on a day when Marvel was announcing their sequel for the Avengers, 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron'. It was imperative that Warner Bros. made a splash too and the news lit up social media. 

The two legendary comic book characters share a long history both through their affiliation in the Justice League but also helming their own team-up books with the latest launching this year. The premise of Superman battling Batman isn't far-fetched at all as some uninitiated fans have squawked online. It becomes a battle of wits, brawn vs brains,  optimism vs cynicism, and an overall clash of personalities. However, there must be a greater threat that will unite them. I'm sure a powerful villain will force them to work together. 

There hasn't been any details released or leaked about the plot of the sequel so we, as always, are left to speculate on what's up Snyder's and co-writer David S. Goyer's sleeves. Besides the major villain we don't know who will play Batman a year after Christian Bale finished up his stint in Christopher Nolan's trilogy with The Dark Knight Rises. Bale has publicly stated he is done playing Batman but I have to wonder if Warner Bros. would offer him the world to convince him to return. That would lead to more questions obviously considering how Rises ended. 

With Bale supposedly out of consideration we will try and fill out the casting call with our own suggestions and previously rumored actors with a follow-up at a later date as details arise:

Armie Hammer

Jake Gyllenhaal

Matt Bomer

Gabriel Macht 

Joe Manganiello

Sam Page

We'll have to wait and see who Snyder and co. choose to play Batman. A lot is riding on the choice because the actor will have to hold his own in not one blockbuster film but probably two - Justice League. Let the guessing games begin!

More after the jump...

Enjoy the announcement video and press release from Comic-con below:

Official Warner Bros. press release: BURBANK, Calif., Jul 20, 2013 — 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 upcoming film 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 in Summer 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 DC Entertainment 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.