Zack Snyder on the influence of The Dark Knight Returns on Batman V Superman

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Those who are familiar with Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" are aware that the trailers for Zack Snyder's upcoming BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE contain more than a few elements from Miller's graphic novel. Given that the film features an older Batman wearing a suit of armour to face off against Superman, you might think that BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE will be an adaptation of sorts of the Frank Miller story. However, according to director Zack Snyder when he spoke to CBR, while "The Dark Knight Returns" was definitely a visual influence on his film, that's where the similarities end.

There are so many great artists who have drawn Batman. So many great comics that have been created — it's countless. I was talking to Frank about it: "Dark Knight Returns" was such a big influence on me, that I wanted to to honor him through imagery in the movie. You could still make "Dark Knight Returns" into a movie, if you want. That's what I'm saying, as far as how much we used and how much we didn't use. The visual elements, there are some that I homage, but I don't think the movie [is an adaptation].

While BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE doesn't feature a Batman with the same number of years under his belt as "The Dark Knight Returns" Batman, Zack Snyder knew from the beginning that he wanted to age the character. The director told CBR that he "definitely wanted an older Batman. I wanted a war-weary Batman. That's why, in a lot of ways, Ben was really perfect for me — we kind of aged him a little bit. It worked really great. I'm really excited about the Batman we created." Affleck has previously said that he was very excited when Zack Snyder pitched him on an "older, more broken, kind of f—ed up Batman" that he knew he had to be a part of the project.

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE opens on March 25, 2015.

The Dark Knight Returns art by Christopher Stevens.