Skip to main content
Games Radar Newsarama Total Film Edge Retro Gamer SFX
SFX The world's number one sci-fi, fantasy and horror magazine
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • News
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletter
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Trending
  • Disney Plus bundles
  • Best Sci Fi Movies
  • New Marvel TV Shows
  • New TV Shows
Recommended reading
David Corenswet as Superman saving a citizen
Superhero Movies One blink and you'll miss it moment in the new Superman trailer has DC fans wondering if the James Gunn movie is linked to The Batman after all
David Corenswet as Superman
DC Movies New Superman trailer sees Lex Luthor's hatred burn bright while the Man of Steel is at odds with the Justice League
David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan in Superman
DC Movies Superman Easter eggs and cameos: All the DC references you might have missed
David Corenswet as Superman in James Gunn's Superman
DC Movies Superman ending explained: your biggest questions answered on Lex Luthor, the Justice Gang, and what it sets up for the DCU
Superman
DC Movies A Superman soundtrack Easter egg have DC fans convinced a crossover with Robert Pattinson's Batman is on the way
Robert Downey Jr. during the Doctor Doom announcement at Marvel's SDCC 2024 panel
Marvel Movies Fantastic Four stars say Avengers: Doomsday is "epic" and "intergalactic" – and, worryingly, "tragic"
Godzilla Minus One
Superhero Movies Superman director James Gunn says the DC film is inspired by the best Godzilla movie in decades: "At its core it's a human story"
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Action Movies

Doomsday is coming in new Batman v Superman trailer (with analysis)

News
By GamesRadar Staff published 3 December 2015

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

You haven't heard of Bruce Wayne?

You haven't heard of Bruce Wayne?

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice appears to depict an older, more sophisticated Bruce Wayne who looks a bit beyond his playboy years, showing up in a classic Aston Martin rather than the latest Lamborghini. He still gets the royal treatment though, as hundreds of cameras flash upon his exit from the car, trying to get a shot of Gotham's most eligible billionaire. The only person not in the know: Clark Kent, who goes from apparently not knowing who Wayne is to throwing him shade about "the bat vigilante" with a sly and knowing tone.

Page 1 of 15
Page 1 of 15
It's called foreshadowing

It's called foreshadowing

As revealed by a fake magazine article promoting the film from back in October, we now know that Jesse Eisenberg's character is not Lex Luthor. Or at least, not the Lex you expect. He's Alexander Luthor, son and heir to Lex. Being a younger iteration of the character, he's more jumpy and excitable, and he couldn't be more pleased to introduce the two alter-egos of the titular heroes to each other. Apparently this (A)Lex is quite the social butterfly.

Page 2 of 15
Page 2 of 15
"Freaks who dress like clowns"

"Freaks who dress like clowns"

It doesn't seem like Wayne is altogether clueless about Superman's secret identity, as he jabs right back at Clark with a comment about Kryptonian fashion (disguised as a reference to the Joker). For a movie hyping a super-powered beatdown, the opening moments of this trailer are a much more quiet, polite sort of battle.

Page 3 of 15
Page 3 of 15
#branding

#branding

Well, that's one way to leave your mark on the criminal underworld. Batman is clearly a more ruthless sort of vigilante than Superman is, leaving criminals bloodied, bruised, and branded where Superman tends to... y'know, let's overlook the neck-snapping thing and collateral damage from the first film, ok? Clark Kent seems to be over it what with his judgmental comments on the nature of Batman's vigilante-ism. Also: the water board's funding is being cut!

Page 4 of 15
Page 4 of 15
Failure to launch

Failure to launch

Zack Snyder is a director with a unique visual style - something he came to be known for thanks to his breakout hit, 300. While Supes saving a Russian rocket is an impressive scene (and possible reference to the Red Son storyline from the comics), what shouldn't escape your attention is the "300" written on the bottom of the capsule. Sure it's in reverse, so it's actually a "003", but it's still a neat little nod.

Page 5 of 15
Page 5 of 15
A nest without a Robin

A nest without a Robin

In the Batman comics, the Joker brutalized and seemingly killed Jason Todd. Batman's failure to protect his sidekick haunted him for years, and it looks like Batman v Superman will be pulling a similar trick. It's a bit hard to tell thanks to the lighting and neon paint, but this suit looks similar to either Tim Drake or Todd's design (it's the buckles, really). Did the Joker kill Todd in the DC cinematic universe, like he did on the printed page?

Page 6 of 15
Page 6 of 15
This would be the "v" part

This would be the "v" part

They are going to sell so many toys of Batman in his super-armor.

When you're going up against someone who can fly and punch through buildings, it's a good idea to wear protection. How much Batman's (admittedly cool-looking) armor will actually shield him from the Kryptonian's blows is yet to be seen - in Frank Miller's stories, the Dark Knight needed loads of planning too. Oh, and missiles.

Page 7 of 15
Page 7 of 15
Elon Musk might like this Batwing

Elon Musk might like this Batwing

The new Batwing might be the most striking design update to Batman's arsenal since the Tumbler debuted in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins. It doesn't seem particularly practical - what with its frisbee-like ring aesthetic - but then, we're not super-rich orphans who punch criminals by night. Who are we to judge?

Page 8 of 15
Page 8 of 15
Boop

Boop

Man of Steel's leading lady Amy Adams reprises her role as Lois Lane for Dawn of Justice, and it looks like she's none too pleased with Luthor's plans (which she has no doubt uncovered due to her super-journalism powers). More curiously, when Luthor raises his hand to "boop!" her on the forehead, he's wearing a bandage over his hand. Maybe it's nothing... A papercut? Or a bat-cut?

Page 9 of 15
Page 9 of 15
Quite Frank-ly

Quite Frank-ly

Another visual reference from Snyder here, with Batman's pose harkening back to Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. That comic, which was adapted into a two-part animated film starring Peter Weller (Robocop) as the voice of Batman, has some stylistic connections to Dawn of Justice; from the costume designs to the overall plot, Snyder's upcoming film owes a lot to this 1986 mini-series.

Page 10 of 15
Page 10 of 15
Bug or creature feature?

Bug or creature feature?

It's speculated the desert scenes glimpsed in previous trailers (and this one) are from a dream sequence. It would explain a lot - such as why Superman would suddenly be okay leading a group that not-so-subtly draws on Nazi Germany aesthetics for their military uniforms, as well as these strange bug creatures with red eyes (an adaptation of Apokolips' parademons, perhaps?) snatching people off the ground. They don't seem to hold any favor toward Superman's army, which is curious. But hey, that's dream logic for you.

Page 11 of 15
Page 11 of 15
5 ways to get a Zodbod this summer

5 ways to get a Zodbod this summer

It looks like the government decided to keep Zod's remains after the battle that leveled half of Metropolis. He's still very dead - getting your spine snapped will do that to you - but that's a perfect chance for Luthor Jr. to play Dr. Frankenstein with it. Speaking of which...

Page 12 of 15
Page 12 of 15
Caught me monologuing

Caught me monologuing

Luthor apparently never watched Pixar's The Incredibles, because he seems to be all too happy to wax poetic about his plan to kill Superman while Superman stands behind him in the same room. This is likely when Luthor reveals his evil bent before unleashing his creation - a clone or genetic experiment created from Zod's remains.

Page 13 of 15
Page 13 of 15
The Zod man out

The Zod man out

In the comics, Doomsday was a Kryptonian genetic experiment designed to create the ultimate lifeform. The scientist that created him succeeded, and the monster eventually found its way to Metropolis, easily dispatching other members of the Justice League before punching Superman to death in the center of town (don't worry, Doomsday also got knocked out and Superman eventually got better).Dawn of Justice's Doomsday just happens to look a little more monstrous than his comic book counterpart, with side-set eyes and slit nostrils. At least he makes a good target for the heroes to team up against.

Page 14 of 15
Page 14 of 15
The Just Us League

The Just Us League

Bats and Supes are so preoccupied with each other that they barely register the arrival of Diana of Themyscira, aka Wonder Woman. She looks tough-as-nails and ready to crack some skulls, but doesn't get a line to show up the boys. At least this Justice League trio and a trusty Bat-gun look cool as they square off against Doomsday, with jagged peaks and flames licking the sky behind them.

Page 15 of 15
Page 15 of 15
GamesRadar Staff
Social Links Navigation

GamesRadar+ was first founded in 1999, and since then has been dedicated to delivering video game-related news, reviews, previews, features, and more. Since late 2014, the website has been the online home of Total Film, SFX, Edge, and PLAY magazines, with comics site Newsarama joining the fold in 2020. Our aim as the global GamesRadar Staff team is to take you closer to the games, movies, TV shows, and comics that you love. We want to upgrade your downtime, and help you make the most of your time, money, and skills. We always aim to entertain, inform, and inspire through our mix of content - which includes news, reviews, features, tips, buying guides, and videos.

Place your bets everyone: The Dark Knight vs. The Man of Steel. A new trailer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is here to whet your appetite for a superhero beatdown, and we're going to break it apart bit by bit to see what hidden gems wait inside. So what do director Zack Snyder and Warner Bros. have in store for us? Let's find out together with the trailer below and our expert analysis above...

Unlike Marvel Studios, which slowly built up to the multi-hero team-up of The Avengers, WB is diving headlong into their superhero mythos with this film. Dawn of Justice is roping in everyone from Batman and Superman to Aquaman and Wonder Woman. It also looks to be an (at least partial) adaptation of The Death of Superman, what with the big grey monster Doomsday rearing his ugly head.

Well, you know what they say: the big, muscly, probably genetic experiment that my enemy is punching on is probably my enemy too. Or something like that.

You may like
  • David Corenswet as Superman saving a citizen One blink and you'll miss it moment in the new Superman trailer has DC fans wondering if the James Gunn movie is linked to The Batman after all
  • David Corenswet as Superman New Superman trailer sees Lex Luthor's hatred burn bright while the Man of Steel is at odds with the Justice League
  • David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan in Superman Superman Easter eggs and cameos: All the DC references you might have missed

Directed by Zack Snyder and starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jason Momoa, Gal Godot and Jesse Eisenberg, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hits UK and US cinemas on March 25 2016.

See more Movies News
Read more
David Corenswet as Superman saving a citizen
One blink and you'll miss it moment in the new Superman trailer has DC fans wondering if the James Gunn movie is linked to The Batman after all
David Corenswet as Superman
New Superman trailer sees Lex Luthor's hatred burn bright while the Man of Steel is at odds with the Justice League
David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan in Superman
Superman Easter eggs and cameos: All the DC references you might have missed
David Corenswet as Superman in James Gunn's Superman
Superman ending explained: your biggest questions answered on Lex Luthor, the Justice Gang, and what it sets up for the DCU
Superman
A Superman soundtrack Easter egg have DC fans convinced a crossover with Robert Pattinson's Batman is on the way
Robert Downey Jr. during the Doctor Doom announcement at Marvel's SDCC 2024 panel
Fantastic Four stars say Avengers: Doomsday is "epic" and "intergalactic" – and, worryingly, "tragic"
Latest in Action Movies
Roboto next to Kristen Wiig in Bridesmaids
Masters of the Universe adds Bridesmaids' Kristen Wiig as Roboto
Deadpool and Wolverine
Deadpool confirmed to join Avengers: Doomsday
Matt Damon looking determined as Jason Bourne
The Jason Bourne franchise will remain at Universal "in perpetuity," with plans to expand it into an entire "universe"
Milly Alcock as Supergirl
Supergirl director opens up on DCU boss James Gunn's open-minded approach to revamped cinematic universe: "Each movie is its own graphic novel"
Jon Bernthal as the Punisher
New Spider-Man 4 set photos reveal the big-screen debut of the Punisher's iconic Battle Van
Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and David Corenswet as Superman
James Gunn says Superman is releasing on digital after just 1 month in theaters because he thought Peacemaker season 2 was originally releasing in September: "There was a lot of things that are beyond our control"
Latest in News
A still from the World of Warcraft: The War Within cinematic
World of Warcraft fans don't appreciate having to complete 19 quests about bees, for some reason: "I thought for sure I was done and then I'd get another quest to photograph 10 bees"
An illustration of Sony's past and future games, showing Aloy, Kratos, and the main character from Ghost of Tsushima.
Ex PlayStation boss says "we've plateaued" on gaming tech, so hardware companies could at the very least make it all "cheaper and simpler"
A player kicks a hapless mushroom creature in Revenge of the Savage Planet in a beach biome
Revenge of the Savage Planet dev says "if just the people who have already wishlisted" the game buy it in the next month, "you would get more DLC"
Battlefield 6 multiplayer screenshot
Battlefield 6 beta's real hero was one streamer who ran around rubbing his evil hands together and gleefully defibbing entire lobbies
Regina Hall and Anna Faris together in Scary Movie 3 looking shocked
Scary Movie stars Regina Hall and Anna Faris set to reunite for new sequel
Roboto next to Kristen Wiig in Bridesmaids
Masters of the Universe adds Bridesmaids' Kristen Wiig as Roboto
  1. Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons box against a dark surface
    1
    This D&D board game could be the magic item needed to refresh your game nights, but it won't be a critical hit for everyone
  2. 2
    OFF review: "Undertale fans need to play this RPG that inspired it – I can't believe it took this stellar remake to get me to step up to the plate"
  3. 3
    Drag x Drive review: "I'm left craving Arms' sauce from Nintendo's twitchy yet shallow basketballer, which feels like a tech demo"
  4. 4
    Madden 26 review: "The finest entry in a decade by some margin"
  5. 5
    I'm convinced that this is still one of the best team board games around, and it deserves to be on your shelf
  1. Julia Garner in Weapons
    1
    Weapons review: "A twisted fairytale that bests Barbarian"
  2. 2
    The Fantastic Four: First Steps review: "An occasionally thrilling heroic adventure that sits safely within a B-tier MCU range"
  3. 3
    Superman review: "A triumphant reinvention and a promising start for the DCU"
  4. 4
    Jurassic World Rebirth Review: "An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber"
  5. 5
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  1. John Cena as Peacemaker holds a gun to the head of a different John Cena as Peacemaker in Peacemaker season 2.
    1
    Peacemaker season 2 review: "Darker and sadder than the first year, but there's still a lot of fun to be had with the 11th Street Kids."
  2. 2
    Wednesday season 2 part 1 review: "Complex and exciting but weighed down by too many subplots"
  3. 3
    Alien: Earth review: "Arguably the franchise's strongest outing since James Cameron's Aliens"
  4. 4
    King of the Hill season 14 review: "Hank Hill himself has evolved into a much more open and accepting person"
  5. 5
    Eyes of Wakanda review: "A creative premise shortchanged by the runtime and Marvel bloat"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...