# Wolfgang Petersen to direct "Batman vs. Superman" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 9, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117 "2002-07-09T17:56:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/1 "2002-07-09T17:56:18Z")
Excerpts from the article on the [CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/09/film.petersen.reut/index.html) website: Director picked for **‘Batman vs. Superman’** movie July 9, 2002 Posted: 11:08 AM EDT (1508 GMT) HOLLYWOOD, California (Reuters) – “Wolfgang Petersen (“The Perfect Storm”) will direct “Batman vs. Superman,” with the tentpole picture targeted for a 2004 release via Warner Bros., Variety reports.” Script is by Andrew Kevin Walker, who wrote “Seven.” “It is a clash of the titans,” Petersen told Daily Variety. “They play off of each other so perfectly. (Superman) is clear, bright, all that is noble and good, and Batman represents the dark, obsessive and vengeful side. They are two sides of the same coin and that is material for great drama.” No casting decisions have been announced. According to the article, Petersen wants someone who can act as well as someone who can look like a superhero. Tobey Maguire’s casting as Spider-Man is mentioned, as is Matt Damon’s role in “The Bourne Identity.” He adds that this movie is not a continuation of the last movie, “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.” Reportedly development is ongoing for a “Batman: Year One” movie and a separate “Superman” movie with the director of “Charlie’s Angels.” * * * Petersen sounds like an interesting choice. I’m looking forward to seeing who he casts, not only for the leads but also for the supporting cast - Alfred, (will there be a?) Robin, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and so on. At least it won’t be Nicholas Cage as the Last Son of Krypton. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Fool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Green\_Fool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Fool)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2002, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/2 "2002-07-09T23:48:15Z")
Never going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/3 "2002-07-10T00:07:28Z")
I just hope it doesn’t push Ender’s Game back further! Peterson is set to direct that long rumored production as well… ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/4 "2002-07-10T00:28:27Z")
And it ought to be _Superman vs. Batman…_ ---
**Author:** ![JDeMobray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@JDeMobray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JDeMobray)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/5 "2002-07-10T00:50:26Z")
Am I allowed to scream “Oh sweet Jesus, **NOOOOOOO** oooo **OOOO!** ” at this point? ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/6 "2002-07-10T01:16:04Z")
So what part(s), exactly, make you want to scream? I think this is a fine choice of director, though the choice of screen-writer makes me go, “Uh… Okay, as long as he remembers the movie can’t be rated stronger than PG-13.” The hard part, I think, will be in the casting of the two leads (better not be Affleck and Damon). ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/7 "2002-07-10T02:45:48Z")
So have they casted Nicholas Cage yet? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![butter\_pie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@butter\_pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butter_pie)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/8 "2002-07-10T04:56:58Z")
I hope Batman kicks his ass! ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/9 "2002-07-10T05:52:21Z")
Sounds like an insipid watered down version of _The Dark Knight Returns_. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/10 "2002-07-10T13:04:10Z")
“Batman represents the dark, obsessive and vengeful side.” In the last movie they had George Clooney playing him. He’s about as dark and vengeful as Grandma. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/11 "2002-07-10T13:39:00Z")
This really isn’t going to be much of a battle, is it? Superman flies down, takes hold of Batman, and squeezes his head till it pops. End of fight. ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/12 "2002-07-10T14:02:39Z")
Bad Idea… just bad bad bad! Warner ought to take this time to rethink their ideas on both franchises and then get fresh talent in and redo them from scratch. And for the love of God stop worrying about big named stars to sell the film! News flash: the characters are the draw to these films not the Actors! If I remember correctly Superman was played by that unknown guy Christopher Reeves and worked because you could look at him and say hey there is Superman! ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/13 "2002-07-10T14:02:51Z")
Superman beats up Batman. Batman retreats to BatCave, invents Superpower-Denying-Device. Batman fights Superman, takes away his powers. Batman beats up Superman. Lex Luthor and his two flunkies, Al Gore and George W Bush, appear and announce their plans to conquer the world. Batman and Superman shake hands. B turns off the SDD and the two of them save the world. The end. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/14 "2002-07-10T14:08:34Z")
**lno** , dude, you really ought to say “SPOILER” or something when you do that. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/15 "2002-07-10T14:25:09Z")
I’ll believe it when **Jason vs. Freddy** comes out. Or **Aliens vs. Predator**. At least that one had a decent chance in hell. But **Batman vs. Superman**? Please. This is someone’s idea of a good movie that’s going to go about as far as that Nicholas Cage **Superman** movie. meaning, it ain’t gonna happen. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/16 "2002-07-10T15:29:22Z")
I want to know why everyone is so adament about this not being a good idea. AFAIK, there was a very successul comic arc on this exact same subject. Did that not go over well with the comic book crowd? Someone fill me in. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/17 "2002-07-10T15:41:50Z")
No, **Munch** , you’re right. Batman and Superman have teamed up often, most notably in the Justice League (with other heroes) and in the World’s Finest comics. Heck, even their most recent cartoon versions have saved each other’s butts on more than one occasion. But Hollywood’s recent track record with DC heroes (although Marvel is doing well) and the word “versus” (implying a fight where we should see grudging repect if not friendship and mutual admiration) gives little hope. It _could_ work, but I’d rather see the Batman and Superman franchises revived before we worry about crossover. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/18 "2002-07-10T16:16:33Z")
No, Menocchio, you misread. I’m pretty sure there was a comic arc with Batman fighting Superman that was fairly popular. But I could be completely wrong on the “popular” part of it, as comic book fans are a tough nut to crack. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/19 "2002-07-10T17:23:59Z")
The big problem is, like **Menocchio** mentioned, is that for this to be a success, there needs to be a lot of background for these characters. Sure, it works well for comic book fans who know a lot about them, but this movie will rewrite bits and pieces of the world here and there to make it all work, but will give little time to establish exactly who these people are and why they’re fighting. Then it just becomes two guys dressed up in costumes pulling Matrix style fight moves in a really crappy plot. That’s why it is going to suck. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2002, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117/20 "2002-07-10T17:35:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Munch \* > \*\*No, Menocchio, you misread. I’m pretty sure there was a comic arc with Batman fighting Superman that was fairly popular. > > But I could be completely wrong on the “popular” part of it, as comic book fans are a tough nut to crack. \*\* I think you might be thinking of the aforementioned _The Dark Night Returns_, which was a very popular comic. In it, an elderly Batman starts raising some vigilante hell. The President dispatches Superman to talk some sense into him and Batman lights his ass up with some kyptonite tipped missiles. [Joker]Where does he get such wonderful toys?[/Joker] Batman even gloats afterwards, saying something like “I’m the only one to ever beat you - don’t ever forget that” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolfgang-petersen-to-direct-batman-vs-superman/118117.md?page=2)