DC/Warner Bros. seems intent on proving that they really are ready to head-to-head with the Marvel/Disney behemoth. The news just keeps rolling in for Batman vs. Superman, the first movie in DC’s unified movieverse (or second, depending on whether you want to count Man of Steel; it’s a little up in there air whether we should, since plans for the continuity didn’t become official until after release, but Henry Cavill’s Superman will carry over. But I digress…) It was announced today that Batman vs. Superman will be the latest blockbuster to make Michigan its home.

‘Batman vs. Superman’ director Zack Snyder

Detroit will double for Metropolis and/or Gotham, depending on where the story is set. Heck, maybe both; Chicago did a pretty darn good Gotham in Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, and was also used (in combination with footage of Vancouver) to form Metropolis in Man of Steel. The Michigan countryside will also be in play, replacing, it would seem, numerous suburban and rural sets across Illinois in Man of Steel. 

Director Zack Snyder gave the expected supporting sound byte in a statment, saying of the choice, “Detroit is a great example of a quintessential American city, and I know it will make the perfect backdrop for our movie. Detroit and the entire state of Michigan have been fantastic collaborators, and we are looking forward to working together on this film.” The production was lured by a massive tax credit from the state, but will also bring in thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of revenue.

The only real question we can think of is how the production, which is planned to start first quarter of 2014, intends to deal with the Michigan winter that will certainly threaten snow into early spring. Perhaps some of the story will take place in winter, or Gotham scenes, which would figure to feature a colder, darker city, will be shot first, with Metropolis coming later. We shall see…