Director Zack Synder did not despair when the exclusive trailer of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice was leaked online on Thursday. The grainy footage, shot on a mobile phone camera, immediately went viral and certainly did not do justice to the true version.

Batman - First LookBen Affleck as Batman in Batman v. Superman.

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The trailer was supposed to be available for preview at IMAX on Monday (20th April) but Synder has countered the piracy by sharing the real version online ahead of its official release. The IMAX premiere will still go ahead as there will be 'a few extra shots' which will be unique to the trailer shown to IMAX viewers. 

Things seem to have turned considerably darker in the DC universe in which Batman and Superman reside. Superman's powerful position as a superhero and saviour is being challenged with a number of overlapping voiceovers asking such questions as: "Is it really surprising that the most powerful man in the world should be a figure of controversy?" A giant statue of Superman has been erected but the words 'False God' have been daubed across its chest. 

Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne A.K.A. Batman is privately stewing and seemingly becoming more disenchanted with Superman's dominance. A voice over warns, as Wayne glowers at his Batman suit, of the "feeling of powerlessness which turns good men cruel." 

Ben Affleck as BatmanBen Affleck as Batman in the upcoming film, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

The trailer includes the first footage of Ben Affleck as Batman both out of costume and in his bat suit. Henry Cavill is reprising his role as Superman. Cavill starred as Superman in the 2013 film Man of Steel opposite Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White. 

On the Superman side of the tale, newcomers to Dawn of Justice include Jesse Eisenberg as Superman's arch nemesis Lex Luthor and Diane Lane as Superman's adoptive mother Martha Kent. Whilst on the Batman side, Bruce Wayne's butler, Alfred Pennyworth, will be played by Jeremy Irons

Two other superheroes will appear in the upcoming film: Wonder Woman and Aquaman. Fast & Furious' Gal Gadot will star as Wonder Woman and Game of Thrones' Jason Momoa will play Aquaman. 

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is due to be released in March 2016.

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Watch the trailer for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice here