BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN Delayed Until 2016

Batman and Superman are going to have to wait an extra year for their epic team-up movie. Warner Bros. has announced that the upcoming Man of Steel sequel, commonly referred to as Batman vs. Superman, has been pushed to May 6, 2016, nine months after its original July 17, 2015 release date. The film’s old date will be taken over by Joe Wright’s upcoming Peter Pan film, while the new date puts it on the same day as one of Marvel’s untitled films. Sounds like we’ve got a good ol’ fashioned showdown to look forward to.

In the original press release, the film was moved back to allow the filmmakers “to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story.” Warner Bros. president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman commented in the press release on the importance of the new release date.

We are happy to take advantage of these coveted summer dates, which are perfect for two of our biggest tentpole releases. We share the fans’ excitement to see DC Comics’ most popular figures, Superman and Batman, together on the big screen for the first time, which will now be arriving in theatres in May 2016.  Peter Pan has delighted people of every generation for more than a century, so we are thrilled to bring him back to the screen next summer for today’s moviegoers.

Earlier today, Batman-News.com reported that Ben Affleck injured his leg on set, pushing production back six weeks. It’s possible that Affleck’s injury may have resulted in the release date change, but I have my doubts.

They can dress it up all they want, but this sounds like they’re delaying this movie so they can get their act together. This movie has been a jumble of rumors and misinformation ever since it was announced that Batman would be co-starring in the film. Seriously, aside from the casting of Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot and the return of several Man of Steel actors, we know nothing about this film. With Batman and Wonder Woman’s inclusion, not to mention the rumors of everyone Green Lantern to Aquaman appearing, many fans suspected that this was starting to become a Justice League film.

While Affleck and Gadot will most likely still appear, I’m guessing the writers and producers will take this extra time to rework the story so that it’s more of a Superman film than a Justice League one. It’s a wise move on their part. As much as I wanted to see Avengers: Age of Ultron and Batman vs. Superman go toe-to-toe with each other in summer 2015 (and Fantastic Four too, I suppose), I care more about getting an amazing movie, and if delaying it means that we’ll get a better product, so be it.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter and Comic Book Movie