Despite the disappointing slog that was Man of Steel, Zack Snyder‘s upcoming crossover, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, continues to garner hype. With Ben Affleck set to direct a solo Batman feature in the future, DC’s cinematic universe is yet to unleash its potential. However, the Warner Bros. distributed film is yet to miss a trick with regards to cramming in potential stand-alone movie characters. So far the confirmed characters include Aquaman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg. Now, in addition to that list Heroic Hollywood reports rumours that potential adversaries include Braniac and Bizarro. And also a possible cameo from Supergirl, Kara Zor-El. Just how many characters can Snyder pack into his 2016 blockbuster?
These rumours must always be taken with a pinch of salt, but as a DC comics fan I would love to see the barest reference to the weirder elements of the universe.
Braniac for example, has been both friend and foe of Superman over decades of continuity. Originally an android super-intelligence and antagonist of the eponymous hero, the character has been portrayed as an ally, friend, and even operating system for Superman. Drawn from the silver age, Braniac is often portrayed as the least human of Kal-El’s rogues gallery, with his trademark green skin and penchant for shrinking civilisations for his collection.
Bizzaro, another silver age character, is villain light. A poor copy of Kryptonian beings, Bizarro was created by General Zod in a military coup to control the planet. However, the character is much better known as a cheap imitation of Superman, acting in reverse, even down to speech. Bizarro has freeze vision in place of Superman’s heat vision. Heat breath in place of freeze breath. You get the idea. Rather than a figure of power and intellect, Bizarro is often represented as powerless and stupid. How Snyder could fit such a bizarre creature into his film is subject to debate.
Supergirl is set for release on CBS later this month, with Melissa Benoist cast in the title role. Supergirl’s alter ego, Kara Zor-El is another silver age entry into DC universe. Cousin to Superman, Kara escaped Krypton during the planet’s destruction, only drift in space in a self-sustaining environment. Arriving on Earth much later than her famous relative, Supergirl is left with a lot to live up to. The upcoming series seems much lighter in tone to Snyder’s franchise, and it is doubtful DC would have multiple actors portray the same character, so again, this one seems doubtful.
Be it cameo or feature performance, these DC universe staples would all be welcome by this DC fan at least. Let’s see how weird this film can get.
#Peace.Love.Heroes
