Director Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the next step in Warner Bros' evergrowing DC Cinematic Universe, will finally open in theaters next year. Seeing as San Diego Comic-Con 2015 just around the corner - about two weeks away at the time of writing this - fans are likely going to get some big news about Batman/Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) and Superman/Kal-El's (Henry Cavill) movie when the cast and director take to SDCC's always-crowded Hall H for a presentation.
Even though Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has had its fair share of rumors and leaked set photos, much of the comic book movie's story still remains a mystery; the fact the first trailer focused on themes and teasers left fans speculating even more. However, one set photo has had fans talking for quite some time: a framed painting of an individual - presumably Thomas Wayne a.k.a. Batman's father - who looks a whole lot like actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan (who played The Comedian in Snyder's Watchmen film adaptation).
During an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the late-night talk show host shared the photo and bluntly asked if the painting is of Morgan. Kimmel pointed out the image has a strong resemblance to the actor, and Morgan was quick to neither confirm nor deny having a role in the movie... though, he certainly seemed to imply that it was him in the portrait.
Watch the clip for yourself, below:
Given all that's already on Batman v Superman's plate - like, building the conflict and eventual bond between Batman and Superman; establishing Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg); teasing other heroes; possibly introducing a classic villain - it seems safe to assume that, if Jeffrey Dean Morgan is indeed playing Bruce Wayne's father, his role will be limited. Previous set photos and videos have revealed the Wayne family exiting a theater, so Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will include its own version of the death of Bruce Wayne's parents - a tragedy that has been recreated more than a handful of times across various forms of media.
Batman v Superman does have a lot to tackle, but it's possible Morgan can have a little bit more screen time thanks to flashbacks - which is what Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins did - or even something simpler, like Bruce Wayne thinking about inspiring things his father said. Either way, the odds of Morgan being Thomas Wayne in Batman v Superman seem good right now.
Fun fact: Thomas Wayne becomes his own version of Batman in the alternate universe that's seen in the big event Flashpoint. Instead of Bruce Wayne's parents being murdered, he's the one who's shot and his death has a tremendous affect on his parents. Thomas then transforms into a more violent incarnation of Batman and Martha Wayne becomes the Joker. We'll go out on a limb here and say that's not gong to happen in the upcoming DC live-action films, though.
Here is the official synopsis for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice:
Fearing the actions of a god-like super hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.
NEXT: Ben Affleck To Direct Batman Solo Movie
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice opens on March 25, 2016, followed by Suicide Squad on August 5, 2016; Wonder Woman on June 23, 2017; Justice League Part One on November 17, 2017; The Flash on March 23, 2018; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League Part Two on June 14, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern on June 19, 2020.
Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live