The official trailer is live; check it out above in all its glory.
Though originally slated for release next week during special IMAX-only screenings , leaks prompted Warner Bros. to release the new "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" trailer online Friday.
The trailer picks up at a point that appears to be directly after the revelation of the existence of Superman, and his unveiling to the world. Voice-overs overlap, fearful. "Is it really surprising, that the most powerful man in the world, should be a figure of controversy?" asks the first voice.
"We are talking about a being whose very existence challenges our sense of priority in the universe," says another.
Holly Hunter's character -- who we don't see in the trailer and we still don't know the name of (though some speculation says she'll take up the mantle of Batman confidante Leslie Thompkins) -- chimes in with: "Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. ...The world has been so caught up with what he can do, that no one has asked what he should do."
Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor voices a stronger opinion on the Man of Steel. "The devils don't come from hell beneath us; no, they come from the sky."
And then, the one thing we have all waited so long to see: our first look at a silently raging Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne. Staring down his mask and cape, and then, armored up as he looks up at Superman.
"Tell me," Batman growls, "do you bleed?
"You will."
And none of that even comes close to the gravitas of Jeremy Irons' voice-over as Alfred. "That's how it starts -- the fever, the rage, the feeling of powerlessness. It turns good men cruel."
But what about that Amazonian woman who's supposed to be in this film? Yeah, so where's Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in this trailer?!? Remember how we've seen some great stills of her already, and this is supposed to be her debut before her own movie ?? Hopefully she's being kept under wraps until we get closer to opening weekend, and not because her role is cameo status.
TL;DR for those with no previous knowledge of the heroes past: Superman is a pariah; Batman is dark and broody; Alfred's still a badass.
Director Zach Snyder has taken to Twitter to declare that even though the trailer has been released, those attending the IMAX screenings can expect more from the event (plus SWAG).
Video screenshot by Jeff Sparkman/CNET
Editors' Note, April 17: Below is the original post as it appeared in its entirety when posted April 16 at 9 p.m. PT.
While director Zack Snyder tweeted a teaser version of the film's full trailer and promised a Monday release in special IMAX screenings earlier this week, a camcorder rip of the "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" trailer has leaked online early.
Driven by voice-overs from Holly Hunter, Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons' Alfred Pennyworth, Superman is far from the favourite son of the city of Metropolis.
The film's previously teased-at inspirations from Frank Miller's politically charged "The Dark Knight Returns" are in full force here, right down to an armoured Batman set to go toe-to-toe with Superman in the rain.
Ben Affleck's Batman finally makes his on-screen debut and asks a burning question which, for my money, will follow in the footsteps of Heath Ledger's "Why so serious?" in his iconic turn as the Joker in "The Dark Knight".
Fans can still make a reservation to attend one of the viewing events on the big screen, but Snyder warned that space was limited. If you can't wait that long, make sure to get the leak while it's hot.