#FIRSTLOOK: “SUPERMAN”-“BATMAN” MOVIE COMING FROM WARNER BROS. & LEGENDARY PICTURES

Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the San Diego Comic-Con this year was the announcement of a Batman-Superman Movie to come.  The iconic logos for both Superheroes were super-imposed upon one another at the end of the Warner Bros.-Legendary Pictures Panel yesterday evening where Man of Steel Director Zack Snyder confirmed that a Follow-up to that Blockbuster is being developed. And Fans went crazy.

As per Deadline, it is said that Christian Bale is highly unlikely will return for this Collaboration which is set to do battle with amalgamated Superhero Franchise, The Avengers. The Batman-Superman Movie would hit theatres in 2015 with Synder directing and David S. Goyer penning the Screenplay.

UPDATE:  Teen Wolf Star Tyler Hoechlin is said to be in the running for the role of Batman.  See Snaps of him here in Toronto just last month for the MuchMusic Video Awards!

 

(Photo credit: DC Comics)

#BOXOFFICE: “DESPICABLE ME 2” AT #1 A SECOND WEEK

For the second week in-a-row, Universal Pictures’ Despicable Me 2 lands on-top of the Box Office after opening on-top in its debut.  It earns $44.7 million this weekend, for a two-week total of $225 million for Universal Pictures domestically from 4,003 theatres.

Sometimes it’s just not about Special F/X or the best Reviews for that matter when it comes to winning Moviegoers’ hearts.  Case in point, Audiences opted for Comedy and familiar faces, making Grown Ups 2 number two for Sony Pictures, earning a strong $42.5 million in its debut. The follow-up to the 2010 Comedy reunites Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Adam Sandler once again, earning a lackluster 7% on the Tomatometer.  Audiences gave it a B CinemaScore, however which won’t hurt its word-of-mouth buzz.  Made for $80 million, it should have no problems paying its own bill. By comparison, its Predecessor debuted with $40 million, this latest Installment besting it slightly.

Pacific Rim debuts at third with solid reviews for Warner Bros., earning $38.3 million domestically.  The Film, made in Toronto for a budget of $185 million is still expanding overseas, where it is expected to perform strongly, opening in the Top Two in the UK, Russia, Korea and Mexico, among others.  Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore, while Critics gave the Guillermo del Toro Monsters vs. Robots Flick 72% on the Tomatometer.

20th Century Fox’s The Heat slips to fourth this weekend in its third week of release, with $14 million, now earning over $111 million domestically, just ahead of The Lone Ranger with $11.1 million in fifth for Disney.  World War Z slips to seventh with $9.4 million for Paramount Pictures, while Man of Steel rounds-out the Top Ten with $4.8 million for Warner Bros. in its fifth week.

Although it still has yet to open in Canada, Sundance Favourite, Fruitvale Station, gets a timely limited release in the U.S. with the Trayvon Martin Trial verdict having been decided, earning $377k from just seven theatres.  The Oscar Hopeful opens in Toronto on July 26, 2013.

#BOXOFFICE: “MAN OF STEEL” MADE OF METAL AT BOX OFFICE WITH RECORD-SETTING WEEKEND

No surprises here!  Man of Steel debuts on-top this weekend from 4,207 theatres with a whopping $151 million for Warner Bros. over the four-day Father’s Day Weekend.  From Friday through Sunday, it grossed $125 million in North America, making it this highest-grossing June opening of all time. Despite mixed reviews overall from Critics (56% on the Tomatometer), Loyal Fans to the Franchise could not be deterred, actually giving the Film some strong word of mouth, garnering an A- CinemaScore.  Made for $225 million, the Zack Synder-directed Film starring Henry Cavill debuted in 24 markets overseas, number one across-the-board!

Not to be outdone, Sony Pictures Apocalypse-Comedy This is the End, starring a stellar Cast of Friends including Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride, performs well to debut in second with $20.3 million over the three-day weekend.  Made for $32 million, the Film earned an B+ CinemaScore, faring better with Critics with its  85% rating on the Tomatometer.

Now You See Me continues to go strong in third in its third week, with $11.1 million for Summit/Lionsgate and eOne Films. To date it has grossed over $80 million in North America.

Last week’s Champion The Purge, slips to fourth this weekend with $9.0 million, placing it just ahead of another former Champ in Fast and the Furious 6, with $9.1 million, good enough for fifth in this its fourth week in theatres.

Rounding-out the Top Ten are After Earth starring Father-Son Duo Will & Jaden Smith with $3.5 million in ninth and Iron Man 3, which earns $2.7 million in its seventh week. The latter is on the verge of surpassing the $400-million mark domestically.

#FIRSTLOOK: “MAN OF STEEL”

By: Jonathan Godrey for Mr. Will Wong

He was the first personage with powers to don tights and toss troubles aside. He led the way to a new age, one filled with hope beyond belief, as well as unparalleled despair. Considered to be more than a man it is interesting to note that he is not a man at all. Certainly in appearance, the eye would argue this point vehemently. Nevertheless he is from a far away planet no longer in existence. Torn asunder by wars both natural and otherwise he was forced to flee whilst still a suckling babe. Arriving here on earth he was reared by parents fitting to be called such, for they loved him as their own. Clark they called him, though Kal-El he was in the flesh. Different from everyone else he wrestled a lifetime with this reality. Odd when you think about it. Why would a god worry so? Only a man would raise such a question, and as it has already been stated, Kal-El is neither god nor man. He is a being known by many titles, and yet truly known by very few. He is the embodiment of an ideal so intimidating it borders on offensive. But beautiful it is in fact, and beautiful this movie about the mythos appears to be.

Zack Snyder has never failed when it comes to film. Perhaps financially, but never artistically, and the artist is at last ready to unveil his latest masterpiece. Feast your eyes on the splendour. Man of Steel is coming.

See Trailer below:

See some exciting Images from Man of Steel below:

Warner Bros. releases Man of Steel Friday June 14, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros.)