2016 spring movie preview: Superhero showdown
Ding! Ding! Let’s get ready to rummmmble!
In this corner, at 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing 216 pounds: Batman (who looks a lot like Ben Affleck). (Crowd roars.)
And in the other corner, coming in at 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighing 203 pounds: Superman (Henry Cavill). (Crowd roars.)
It’s the fight of the century! That’s right, “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” is set to open in theaters on March 25, and with it comes all the hype and hoopla you’d expect. Who will you root for? What started it all? Here’s a look:
Why are they fighting?
In “Man of Steel,” Supes got into a big ol’ wrestling match with General Zod (Michael Shannon) that left the city in shambles.
At one point during the battle, Superman destroys a Wayne Industries building, killing hundreds of employees inside. Because of that, Batman thinks Superman is a menace to society and decides to take him down.
What are their strengths?
BATMAN | SUPERMAN |
| Real name: Bruce Wayne | Real name: Kal-El |
Is the Dark Knight | Is the Man of Steel |
Cocky billionaire | Earnest alien |
Wears a cape | Wears a cape |
Has Alfred Pennyworth | Has Lois Lane |
Has big firearms | Has big arms |
Likes bats | Likes humans |
Uses solar energy | Can emit solar energy |
Has a super-fast Batmobile | Is faster than a speeding bullet |
Has a Batcopter | Can fly |
Has night-vision gadgets | Has X-ray vision |
Unstoppable determination | Unstoppable |
What are their weaknesses?
BATMAN | SUPERMAN |
| Has no real super powers | Kryptonite |
Is human | Kryptonite |
Bones can break | Kryptonite |
Can die | Kryptonite |
Is emotionally unstable | Kryptonite |
The Justice League
The headline fight might be getting all the attention, but “Batman v. Superman” has other things going on, namely setting up the DC Comics Justice League universe. We know Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) gets in on the action, but look for Aquaman and the Flash to pop up, too. All in anticipation of the first “Justice League” movie coming out in 2017.
10 more movies on the spring slate
(Dates subject to change)
“The Divergent Series: Allegiant” – The further adventures of Tris (Shailene Wooley) in a post-apocalyptic Chicago. (March 18)
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” – Nia Vardalos and family return for another, “Greek-er” wedding. (March 25)
“The Boss” – Melissa McCarthy stars in this comedy as a fresh-out-of-prison former business mogul. (April 8)
“The Jungle Book” – Disney’s live-action take on its classic tale. (April 15)
“The Huntsman: Winter’s War” – The Huntsman (Chris Hemworth) returns to battle a young queen who can freeze her enemies in ice. (April 22)
“Mother’s Day” – Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts and Kate Hudson star in intersecting stories. (April 29)
“Captain America” Civil War” – A rift occurs between former allies Captain America and Iron Man. (May 6)
“Snowden” – A look at CIA employee Edward Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who leaked thousands of classified documents to the press. (May 13)
“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” – Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne and Zac Efron return for this comedy sequel. (May 20)
“The Nice Guys” – In 1970s Los Angeles, two private eyes (Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe) investigate the death of a porn star. (May 20)
This story was originally published March 13, 2016 at 9:24 AM with the headline "2016 spring movie preview: Superhero showdown."