WATCHMEN And 300 Cinematographer Larry Fong Will Shoot SUPERMAN VS BATMAN

One of my main issues with Man of Steel was that it didn't look like a Zack Snyder film. Lacking in the overwhelming visual style we're all used to from the director. The reason, Larry Fong (Super 8, Lost) who has shot a majority of Snyder's films (including 300, Watchmen and Sucker Punch) didn't end up working on the film. Well that can't be said for the sequel Superman Vs. Batman as Fong has joined the production (according to SHH) as it's cinematographer/director of photography. At least we know the visuals/action sequences will knock our socks off. Let's just hope the story, acting and villains fall inline as well.

RUMOR: Orlando Bloom Possible Front-Runner To Play New BATMAN?

TheDailyExpress (via ThinkMcFlyThink) reports that sources close to Warner Bros. are revealing that Lord of The Rings and Pirates of The Caribbean actor Orlando Bloom is the front-runner to play Batman. Bloom seems to have a strong relationship with the studio after reprising the role of Legolas in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug later this year. Considering his previous success with billion dollar franchises he could be a strong candidate to take over the Bat Cave. They also state that Ryan Gosling, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (hinted to in Rises he would become the new Batman) and Armie Hammer are still in the mix. Nothing is for sure, as there was talk of Christian Bale being offered $50 million to reprise the role.

It's starting to sound like Bruce Wayne will be played by an older actor with the torch being passed to a younger hero (John Blake?). Yet, I assume Wayne will have to come out of retirement to help his protege. Superman Vs. Batman is likely a way for Warner Bros. to give Snyder his Man of Steel sequel while setting up a new Batman for Justice League (and future Batman films). There had been rumblings of a Batman Beyond-type storyline for a purposed Batman follow-up to The Dark Knight Rises. Having John Blake and Terry McGinnis take over the mantle would allow future directors to keep Batman within the Gotham that Nolan created.

RUMOR: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Scott Adkins, Mark Strong And Bryan Cranston In The Mix For SUPERMAN VS BATMAN?

Apparently, Watchmen actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan is now in the mix for Batman according to ThinkMcflyThink. Matthew Goode, another Watchmen alumni had been linked for Superman Vs Batman as well. Jeffrey had been previously linked for the role of Lobo (rumored for Justice League) and even a possible Watchmen spin-off focusing on The Comedian. He even spoke to MovieHole about being involved with a Dark Knight Returns film back in 2009.

"I've heard Zack mention he'd like to do it in the media a few times recently. I'd love to see myself in that role. I don't think [Warner] will do it at the moment, not with what The Dark Knight is doing. But the studio loves Zack, and if Watchmen does as well as we hope it does, you never know, he might get a crack at this thing."

British action star/stuntman Scott Adkins (Expendables 2) might be in the mix as well. The martial artist has been campaigning for the part for a while now and seemingly has met with Warner Bros./ Zack Snyder about it. His Twitter account has posted a confirmation of sorts and included an image of Scott as the Caped Crusader. We've been hearing that the director wants a convincing fighter/scrapper for the role and Scott has some serious action chops. Then again, take this as a strong rumor.

There is also word (via LatinoReview & DigitalSpy) that both Mark Strong (Welcome To The Punch, Kick-Ass) and Bryan Cranston (Drive, Godzilla, Breaking Bad) are being considered for the villainous role of Lex Luthor. Strong had a bit part in The Green Lantern but has played a slew of awesome bad guys. Cranston has been making a splash over at WB which could help him land the iconic part. I also wouldn't be shocked if they're were considering re-casting Commissioner Jim Gordon with Bryan.

Zack Snyder Will Talk To Frank Miller About BATMAN VS SUPERMAN And Batman Role Rumored For Older Actor

One of the biggest stories coming out of Comic-Con this Summer was the announcement that Zack Snyder would be making a follow up to Man of Steel with Batman Vs. Superman. Now there's talk (via TheIndependent) that Zack will be talking with Frank Miller (Sin City, Wolverine, Daredevil 300, The Dark Knight Returns) about the film. Taking advice and possible story suggestions from the comic book legend. Miller's Dark Knight Returns focuses on a elderly Batman coming out of retirement and is forced to fight Superman. Zack talked to FirstShowing back in 2009 about making a film based on Miller's Dark Knight Returns.

“I think the thing that’s awesome about Dark Knight, like Watchmen, is that it is a complete and total experience, that was unlike anything anyone has ever seen, and still is,” Snyder said. “I think the big challenge for me would be – it’s so ‘montage-y’ and so media thick, that you just have to – that’s the techniques you’d have to develop and make work. But as far as the rest goes, the thing I’d be really interested in is that kind of Frank [Miller] narration over that cool action, that’s a thing we haven’t really seen in that context.”

BatmanOnFilm is reporting on an exciting casting rumor for Superman Vs. Batman. As they state the studio could be looking to cast an older actor (mid-40's) in the role of Batman. Likely, scrapping previous incarnations (Christian Bale and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) seen in Nolan's trilogy. This news added to the Frank Miller's involvement it's possible there could be some elements from his take on the DC Universe, such as The Dark Knight Returns. The site also mentions their own solid casting choices such as Jon Hamm (previously championed by fans for Superman), Josh Brolin, Gerard Butler (had been one of my suggestions when the film was announced) and a few others.  Hamm and Butler seem like decent choices, along with the fact they've previously worked with director Zack Snyder on previous films.

Zack Snyder Announces SUPERMAN/BATMAN Movie With David Goyer Co-Writing With The Director

One of the biggest announcements at Comic-Con comes from Zack Snyder. He announced that there will be a Superman/Batman film. Zack will co-write the Man of Steel sequel with David Goyer as production is expected for 2014 with a release date of 2015. Christian Bale won't be playing the Batman role as the part will be re-cast. Giving the impression that Joseph Gordon-Levitt won't be taking up the mantle either. This very well could end up becoming a film version of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns or even the long in-development Superman Versus Batman.