Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceis wrapping up its run at the box office with a take of around $871 million worldwide. While that would be a number that would make studio execs want to pop champagne and celebrate feverishly for nearly any other film, this was the first time in history that Batman and Superman were going to appear on the big screen together, and the film should have easily sailed to $1billion. However, the very poor critical response to the film didn’t help anything, and that led to some bad word of mouth andBvSstarJeremy Ironsseems to think that is perfectly understandable.
In a recent interiview withDaily MailIrons, who of course played Alfred inBatman v Superman, stated that he felt the critical thrashing was fair. The actor also mentioned that ultimately the film made a very large sum of money, so it didn’t seem to affect things enough to stop the DCEU from moving forward. When the subject of thebad reviewscame up, this is whatIronshad to say.
“Deservedly so. I mean it took over 800 million, so the kicking didn’t matter but it was sort of overstuffed…It was very muddled. I think the next one will be simpler. The script is certainly a lot smaller, it’s more linear.”
“The Next One” thatIronsis referring to is of courseJustice League Part 1, which he will also be starring. According to his statements, it looks like directorZack Snyderand the rest of the creative team may have at least tried to take a look at what many audience members and critics took issue with when it came toBvS. That film had to accomplish an awful lot and that ultimately led to a fairly muddy and very “overstuffed” film, asIronsput it.
Regardless of thepoor receptionthere were several things that were relatively universally liked about the film and the dynamic between Alfred andBen Affleck’s Batman was perceived as one of the films true highlights, so it is nice that they are coming back forJustice Leagueand presumably for the standaloneBatmanfilm thatAffleckwill be directing. Since the postBvSfallout, Warner Bros. has shifted a lot of things around and aside from reprising his role,Affleckwill also be serving as an Executive Producer forJustice League. Comic book writer turned studio execGeoff Johnshas also been shifted into a larger role to oversee theDC Comicsfilms for Warner Bros.
While virtually every other star ofBatman V Supermanhas come out and publically defended the film or tried to make light of or excuses for the bad reviews, it is interesting thatIronswas so willing to be blunt about it. He may very well get some heat for it, but it is hard not to respect it and it also lends some credibility to his statements regarding theJustice Leaguescript. We’ll have to wait and see ifIronsis right aboutJustice Leaguewhen it hits theaters on June 19, 2025.
