Since its announcement, “Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice” has sparked great interest among comic book and cinema fans. This epic showdown between two of the most iconic superheroes in pop culture, Batman and Superman, brought with it a series of fascinating curiosities that delve into the production’s behind-the-scenes, the characters’ mythology, and the creative decisions that shaped the film. In this analysis, we will explore some of these curiosities, revealing intriguing details about the conception, production, and reception of this film that marked a significant moment in the superhero cinematic universe. Love it or hate it, it is undeniable that Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) is the most debated film in the history of superhero movies. Let’s take a look at some curiosities from this controversial film:

1 – LONG-STANDING PROJECT

Despite being released only in 2016, the concept of a confrontation between Batman and Superman had been in gestation since 2001 within the halls of Warner Bros. The project was proposed to the studio and was set to be developed by Akiva Goldsman. According to this narrative, Batman, portrayed by George Clooney, would have his wife murdered by the Joker, unleashing a whirlwind of events in his quest for revenge. However, this storyline was shelved, although the screenwriter persuaded director Francis Lawrence to include a subtle reference to the project in “I Am Legend” (2007).

2 – INITIAL PRODUCERS’ IMPRESSIONS WERE POSITIVE

As soon as filming wrapped up, director Zack Snyder sent an unfinished cut of the film for Warner’s investors to watch. The executives’ initial impressions were extremely positive, and there are reports of long rounds of applause at various points during the screening. They liked what they saw so much that they immediately began negotiating a contract extension with Ben Affleck so that he could have at least a trilogy as Batman.

3 – CRITICIZED CASTING

Due to Ben Affleck’s previous failures in superhero films, Warner executives were aware that the official announcement could attract a flood of criticism. Therefore, they advised the actor to stay away from the internet for a few days to avoid potential psychological damage. However, Affleck didn’t give much importance to the advice and chose to browse the web to check the reactions. According to the actor’s own reports, the first comments he found were predominantly negative regarding his casting, which led him to decide to disconnect from the internet.

4 – BEN AFFLECK HATED WORKING OUT

However, no fan disdain compares to the negative sentiment Ben Affleck himself experienced while preparing to portray the most muscular Bruce Wayne in cinema history. According to the actor, from the moment his casting was announced, he embarked on a strict diet and grueling exercise regimen, dedicating two hours daily to building 20kg of pure muscle and reducing his body fat to just 8%. However, the intensity of the routine was so overwhelming that he simply despised every second spent in the gym.

5 – JESSE EISENBERG WASN’T THE FIRST CHOICE TO PLAY LEX LUTHOR

Fans expressed a desire to see Bryan Cranston portraying Lex Luthor. On the other hand, the casting team considered Tom Hanks, impressed by his performances in “Cloud Atlas” (2012). However, the role ended up being assigned to Jesse Eisenberg, who initially auditioned for a completely different role than Lex Luthor, something the actor never disclosed. Rumors surfaced at the time that this version of Lex would be the son of the already known bald Lex Luthor, but this idea was not developed. The film concluded with Lex shaving his head, effectively dispelling speculation about a “Lex Jr.”

6 – GAL GADOT WAS CRITICIZED FOR BEING TOO THIN FOR THE WONDER WOMAN ROLE

Another casting choice that sparked controversy at the time was the selection of Gal Gadot to play Wonder Woman. Initial criticism of the Israeli actress focused on her physique, considered too thin for the role. Later, the criticisms took on a completely sexist tone, with some journalists questioning how she would achieve the character’s voluptuous breasts from the comics. This moment led to a historic response from the actress, who highlighted that in Greek mythology, the Amazons removed one breast to ease combat, so people should not expect extreme fidelity to the visual. Deborah Snyder, the film’s producer, shared that she cried when she first saw Gal on set dressed as Wonder Woman.

7 – PRESENCE ONLY IN THE DIRECTOR’S CUT

One of Superman’s beloved characters makes an appearance in BVS, but only in the director’s extended version, known as the ‘Snydercut.’ This character is the photographer Jimmy Olsen, portrayed by Michael Cassidy. However, while in the comics he is depicted as a cheerful and dreamy young man, his counterpart in the film is introduced as a journalist who secretly acts as a CIA informant and is tragically killed in the early moments of the plot, just before Superman emerges to rescue Lois Lane (Amy Adams).

8 – CHANGES IN SUPERMAN’S SUIT

One of the main criticisms directed at “Man of Steel” (2013) focused on Superman’s suit, which was described as dull and lifeless. For the sequel, Zack Snyder requested a different approach, opting for more vibrant colors, especially highlighting the yellow behind the ‘S’, which was transformed into a bright gold. This change provided a striking contrast between Superman’s colors and Batman’s black and gray suit. Additionally, Henry Cavill had to further intensify his training regimen to achieve an even more imposing appearance than the one presented in the previous film. Inspired primarily by Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns” story, the film adopted the comic book artist’s exaggerated designs as visual reference, portraying two heroes as true giants beneath their suits.

9 – ZOD’S BOUNCER

In the sequences involving General Zod, the film did not feature actor Michael Shannon. Instead, his scenes were either taken from Man of Steel (or are scenes that did not make it into the final version), and the body used as a reference to create the villain Doomsday was a rubber replica modeled based on the actor’s body.

10 – MARVEL VS DC

The long-standing rivalry between Marvel and DC resulted in an intriguing situation. Initially, the third Captain America film was slated to be titled “Captain America: Serpent Society”. However, the Russo Brothers, directors of the film, revealed that the announcement of “Batman vs Superman” led Marvel to agree to adapt the comic book mega-event, “Civil War”, for the Captain’s film. Thus, the competition between the two publishers allowed for the biggest icons of both to be represented in cinemas in 2016. In terms of box office, the Marvel film emerged victorious, reaching the billion-dollar mark and introducing characters like Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland), which later spawned successful franchises, each billion-dollar earners.

“Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice” is a film full of fascinating curiosities that offer a new perspective on filmmaking and its components. From the reuse of scenes featuring iconic characters to the surprising transformations of well-known characters, each detail reveals the complexity and creativity behind the cameras. These curiosities not only enrich the viewer’s experience but also highlight the meticulous care and attention to detail that make each film a unique and memorable work. Despite receiving many criticisms and not reaching the billion-dollar mark at the box office, as expected, “Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice” has garnered fans worldwide and is a film that will never be forgotten: for better or for worse.