Apparently, there is a real chance of Warner Bros. considering a future movie team-up of the characters of Superman and Batman after 2013’s release of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel.

Rumor has it that this possible upcoming Superman/Batman movie could go one of two ways. The first being that, if Christian Bale is willing to reprise his role, Batman would be mentoring a young Superman in fighting super crime that threatens the world. And if Bale isn’t willing, the other idea is too throw out the Chris Nolan continuity, and have Henry Cavill‘s Superman mentoring a young Bruce Wayne.

This is a terrible idea.

Why is this a horrible idea? Well, I’m glad you asked. First and foremost, Superman and Batman are extremely different and have different reasons and opinions on why and how to fight crime. As much as I believe that Bruce Wayne is an agent of justice not of revenge, the fact is that he vows to fight crime based on the death of parents. He has an emotional investment in the eradication of crime and injustice, whereas Superman is quite different. Superman has a gift bestowed upon him by his alien blood that is enhanced by Earth’s yellow sun. He is a super-powered being who upholds the ideals of truth, justice, and the American way. While they complement each other in a team-up, as seen in several comics and animated films, neither should be mentoring the other. It just doesn’t work. The two styles don’t match. Superman is not a dark ninja who prowls the night in search of crime, and Batman doesn’t fly through the sunlit days punching supervillains to the moon. They are polar opposites. Neither should mentor the other.

If Batman teaches Superman anything, Superman ceases to become the hero that we know and love, and Superman teaching Batman wouldn’t go well, either. You think Batman’s going to listen to Superman on how to be a hero? No, of course not. No matter how this scenario plays out, by the end of the movie there will be tension between the heroes. It’s a predictable, obvious idea that, in the end, is just going to weaken the franchises. One might somehow inspire the other, but a superhero mentoring program is just plain dumb.

Also, why not just develop more of the DC characters? For example, make a Justice League movie before making a Superman/Batman movie. That way you can introduce your other characters in an interesting way first instead of counting on the public to be in love with Green Lantern because of a cross promotion between the film and Subway’s new avocado footlong? All jokes aside, a Justice League film could generate real interest in characters like The Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, and Wonder Woman (the public is already interested in Wonder Woman). I mean, any movie with Superman and Batman is going to have a hell of a budget anyway, why not go all out?

I do want to clarify, however, that it is not a bad idea to have Superman and Batman in the same movie. In fact, I think it’s a great idea and I’m sure I would love it. But this idea? This way? No thank you. If there is someone working for Warner Bros. that’s reading this right now, please take this into consideration: The mentoring idea is just bad, make a Justice League movie instead. Anything you would hope to accomplish by having a Superman/Batman movie could be done with a Justice League film. People will see it. Do a reverse Marvel approach. Come out with the team movie and branch off from there. Think about it, Superman and Batman would be in the Justice League, too. No one will forget about them.

There have been rumors for over a decade of teaming up Superman and Batman in a film. In my opinion, this is just another one of those rumors, and should be taken as such.

But what do you think of this rumor, dear readers? Bad idea or terrible idea? Leave your opinion in the comments section below!

[Source: Think McFly Think via io9]