It seems as though we'll have to wait a bit longer to see Ben Affleck in tight spandex pants, sharing screen time with Henry Cavill's equally tight spandex pants. DC were looking to launch their own multi-hero film franchise with the release of the Man of Steel sequel, working under the title of 'Superman vs. Batman,' in July 2015, however a recent announcement from the studio has said we'll have to wait a little longer.

Man of Steel
The first Man of Steel was a hit and the sequel promises to be even bigger

Warner Brothers revealed on Friday (17 Jan.) - via The Hollywood Reporter - that it planned on holding back on the Man of Steel sequel until 6 May, 2016, with the studio's prequel of Peter Pan - titled Pan - replacing the initially planned 17 July, 2015, release date. The studio did not give any reason as to why the films were trading release dates, however has been suggested that Warner Bros. wanted a May release for the superhero film owing to the month's tendency to yield higher box office returns in recent years.

In May 2013, Iron Man 3 grossed over $1 billion in the box office, exactly one year after The Avengers became the third highest grossing movie of all time in May 2012. The month of May has become synonymous with Marvel movie releases, ever since Columbia released the first Spider-Man movie in 2002. This was followed by the X-Men sequel X2 in 2003 and since then a Marvel movie being released every May since 2006.

Now DC want in on the May-time action, but they will have to face competition from Marvel along the way. Marvel have an unannounced film slated for release on 6 May, 2016.

Gal GadotJason Momoa
Gal Gadot will play Wonder Woman in the sequel and Jason Momoa has been linked to a role

The upcoming Man of Steel sequel has been a closely guarded secret of Warner Bros.' who have given little away about what we can expect to see in May 2016. Gal Gadot will appear in the film as Wonder Woman and there are rumours that Game of Thrones actor Jason Momoa is in talks for a role too, suggesting that the film will serve as a precursor to a Justice League film, however Momoa has since denied these rumours. Man of Steel director Zack Snyder will return to direct the film, with Argo scribe Chris Terrio currently rewriting the screenplay by the Dark Knight trilogy writer David Goyer.

The film's 2015 replacement, Pan, is an origins story of the J.M. Barie tale and stars Hugh Jackman as the pirate Blackbeard. It will tell of the formative years of the young Lost Boy in addition to the story of the young pirate who eventually loses his hand and becomes Captain Hook.

Ben Affleck
Affleck's Batman/Bruce Wayne appointment was met with widespread criticism