SHAZAM! NOT PART OF MOS MOVIEVERSE, AND THAT'S OKAY

Initially, disappointment set in. How could they not have "Shazam!" in the same universe as "Man Of Steel", and the upcoming "Batman Vs Superman: Dawn Of Justice"? Was Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wrong, and it will be? Yes, and no. Sure he is right in that it would be a seperate world from that of Zach Snyder's. However, recently Geoff John's from DC Comics had stated that they consider the movies and television shows as a multiverse. That is where the disappointment dissipates.

Just because The Rock says know your role (couldn't resist), but just because he says they are different worlds, doesn't mean that there isn't a possibility of a massive cross-over film. It also doesn't mean that the stories although different in both style and tone, won't be similar in the direction that they take. Perhaps they all lead into a massive multiverse cross-over, with say Darkseid as the main villain.
Perhaps not though. It does allow "Shazam!" free reign to go where they want, which will be good as there will likely be immediate comparisons with Superman. But, that will likely always be the case. And it should be that way really. Also with the freedom to go their own route, comes the ability to also return to when Shazam (then known as Captain Marvel) not only went head to head with Superman in sales, but he surpassed the original superhero at one point.

We are getting pretty far ahead of ourselves with all of this really. We still need the lead character of both Billy Batson and Shazam to be cast. The Rock will be filling the role (and hopefully...knowing his role *ahem*) that fans had him pegged for when he first crossed over from the wrestling ring to the big screen. The role of Black Adam.

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WHAT ABOUT THE MAN OF STEEL?

Of course everyone's attention has been drawn elsewhere, but everything that is to come began with "Man Of Steel". Which of course, is a Superman movie. With the upcoming 2016 sequel looking more and more like the first installment of a Justice League movie, even with the casting of Lex Luthor we were given Alfred Pennyworth, a key Batman character. Of course, there has been talks and rumors of another villain to the mix, that may help keep this more Superman than Justice League, but even if it does everyone will be wanting to expand the team (if it hasn't already grown for MOS follow-up), drawing even more attention away from Superman.

What direction will they take? Will they keep Superman the focal point of the not only the upcoming movie but the ones that are sure to follow (if successful)? Are they simply using a "Man Of Steel" sequel as a per-cursor to a following but separate "Justice League" movie, leaving comic books original superhero to a film franchise of his own? I like to think that it will be the latter of the two, giving Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and whomever else they add their own films that all culminate in a Justice League. It is working for Marvel as we all know, and sooner or later they end up "borrowing" from each other creatively, so why not take a sure fire route, given the writing, directing and acting are up to par of course.

Regardless of what direction that they end up taking, there are some Superman characters that have yet to appear within the new universe, that should get a cameo in the very least, if not a starring or supporting role. Some will be making their big-screen debuts, others will be returning to the silver screen partaking in the live action blockbuster(s), here's a list of characters who need to appear in upcoming Superman "Man Of Steel" films...

Jimmy Olsen

Although not a spot on replica, in some ways this is Clark Kent's "Alfred". Who else does Clark have to call his friend? True, there is Lois, but we all know there is something more to that, and of course there is Ma Kent but even the biggest momma's boy can't tell his mother everything. This is where Jimmy comes in, he adds an new aspect to add to the Last Son Of Krypton and his human side. Or to simply add a light comedic tone to an otherwise slightly darker Metropolis.

Jor El

I didn't mind Russell Crowe and his interpretation of Superman's biological father, Jor El. Crowe himself has stated that he would like to do a solo film based on the character. As intriguing as that sounds, I would settle for him reappearing within the upcoming "Man Of Steel" films. Not necessarily in large roles, but there for advice type of roles. Although small, they require an actor to give the scenes depth, otherwise it just becomes a hollow message to not only the hero, but if they chose, the audience.

Doomsday

Probably a better choice for a group effort in a "Justice League" film, but before he stars in that, Doomsday needs to face Superman mano a mano. Dealing Supes his first near death experience, before having the favor returned within the "Justice League" flick at the hands of a returning Superman. Okay, maybe just my take on "what should be" but you get the idea. This is the villain that helped take comic books back into the "mainstream" when he killed off the untouchable Superman in the 1990's. Smallville wasn't too bad considering it was a television show, this monster need the big screen treatment to truly work.

Supergirl

A lot of people were upset with the ending of "Man Of Steel", perhaps Superman is upset with himself as well, and who better to help alleviate the guilt but his cousin? Of course, he's made the promise to try and always find away to do things without killing, but he doesn't even know how to stop himself yet, so give him a break. Kara also deserves some big-screen redemption, not meaning to really knock the 1984 attempt as it was an okay effort for the time it was made in. If anything, it is another option for the female fans out there who are even more limited now then we were pre-2000.

Kryptonite

Okay, it isn't a character per say. Not unless it is put inside a character (Kryptonite Man, Metallo, etc), but regardless of who and how, it needs to make an appearance within this movie universe. How else are they going to make Superman vulnerable at times. which are needed because he loses people when he is "too perfect". We know the hero is going to succeed in almost every outcome, they are highly likely to live on and give us more movies. It is the vulnerabilities that cast that little bit of doubt that keeps it interesting. They hinted at it with the needing to adapt to both Earths and Kryptons environments, but those are overcome simply by adapting to it over time. The traditional route or a new Government made version of the pieces of rock that make the Man Of Steel humble.


There are other characters of course, specifically Metallo (mentioned in "Kryptonite"), but this is the tip of the ice berg. It was reassuring having Lex Luthor finally cast, keeping this on a Superman route. Seems Henry Cavill's Superman is slightly in the background of what he helped make happen, which was delivering in the role and having fans actually wanting this sequel before there was even a whisper of Batman being involved in all of this. Something that was difficult to achieve with fans still fixed on the late, great Christoher Reeve and his iconic interpretation of Superman. Hopefully this list will be given reason to grow and evolve as I am hoping to be able to do with so far the Batman and Wonder Woman characters hopefully getting solo spin-offs.

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AFFLECK CAST AS BATMAN. WORLD ENDS!

Okay, maybe the world hasn't literally ended, but a lot of fellow Bat-Fans out there sure have been acting as though it has. I've heard about death threats (even to those not even connected to the movie) and a petition for the President of the USA to step in and stop this casting. Seriously stupid stuff, that in all honesty, makes it kind of embarrassing to be a fan. I openly admit, my initial reaction was "F*ck!". For me it had absolutely nothing to do with Affleck or his ability to act or make a good movie. Daredevil wasn't the best movie, but I enjoyed it (minus Afflecks hair aha). So much, that I kind of yearned for him to reprise his role in the Elektra spin-off/sequel. My issue with this casting, was that I haven't heard or seen any movies where Ben had "the voice" to play Batman. A combination of his Boston accent and higher toned voice makes it hard for me to see him as The Dark Knight. Now I am not saying everyone has to be like Christian Bale and his grovelling attempt, however a different style of voice work is essential while dawning the cape and cowl. Biggest issue with George Clooney's attempt at being the Batman was that with or without the mask, you knew Bruce Wayne and Batman were the same person.

Now I am sure some of you are thinking, "Oh, working on his voice is easy." and initially you aren't wrong, however, it isn't as easy as you think and takes a lot of dedication. Not only that, there is always the risk of it being cheesy or over the top (Bale went overboard at times).

Again, this is the only thing that worries me. It was the only thing that worried me about Heath playing The Joker in The Dark Knight. I had never heard/seen him without the accent (Aussie I think). And well, clearly, those worries were put to sleep very quickly. And speaking of Heath Ledger as Mr. J, I remember the proverbial crap hitting the fan over that casting choice as well, I dunno, do you think that an Oscar win and the Box-Office numbers made those doubters eat their words? I believe so. And although I was too young to really hear about them, but I do remember my Dad telling me about how nobody wanted Michael Keaton as Batman back in the '89 Tim Burton movie, and I know I am not the only one who thinks of the first two of that franchise as being the best of them.

 So, the next 2 years shall be spent defending this movie and its casting choices. Hopefully this movie is as awesome as I am expecting it to be. Absolutely loved Man Of Steel, and adding my all-time favorite character to that mix, cannot be a bad thing....I hope ahaha Naw, total confidence in Zack Synder and the cast of this movie. Till then if your going to "question" anything about this movie, then let it be about things like "With Affleck only being 41, what direction are they taking after teasing this will be similar to Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns", or "When are they announcing Brian Cranston as Lex Luthor?" Okay that last one is purely rumor at the moment, but my choice for the role (if it is even part of the upcoming movie).

Stay nerdy!