The Super Silver Screen Showdown Between Captain America 3 and Batman vs. Superman

Despite originally being slated for cinematic release on July 17, 2015, Warner Brothers announced that "Batman vs. Superman" would be delayed. Although postponing the "Man of Steel" sequel kept it out of the way from Marvel’s "The Avengers: Age of Ultron," which is set for release on May 1, the date Warner Brothers chose for the new release kept it in direct competition with Marvel.

"Batman vs. Superman" will now hit our cinema screens on May 6, 2016, the same date Disney had penned for a then-untitled Marvel movie. Despite the studio not confirming the announcement, it has been revealed that the film going head to head with Zack Snyder’s superhero title will be "Captain America 3."

The second installment in the franchise, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is out on April 4, and is already predicted to become one of the best entries in Marvel’s cinematic catalogue. The title is forecasted to take $80 million at the box office during its opening April weekend alone.

The star of the film, Sebastian Stan, is banking on the success of "Captain America 3" over its DC rival. In an interview with Access Hollywood he said: “I mean, all you really have to do to know the answer to that question is just look at the track record of Marvel vs. DC… 'Green Lantern’. You know, I’m biased! I dunno. I’m on this side.”

Samuel L. Jackson, who played Nick Fury in several Marvel movies, added: “You know, the bar’s going higher and higher and hopefully these guys can get up there on that bar. DC’s having some issues. DC’s having a little trouble with Marvel.”

However, despite some negative responses from critics, the "Batman vs. Superman" film could edge ahead in the silver screen race. The success of "The Avengers," which broke box office records, is evidence enough that audiences are responsive to superhero mash-ups. The clash between Batman and Superman could also drive viewers, as it is addressing an age-old question among comic book fans.

In addition to this, Batman is a hugely successful franchise. As well as spawning an array of merchandise, cartoons and even themed games of the like that feature prominently at Butlersbingo, the Caped Crusader also takes the crown as the highest-grossing superhero movie franchise, generating $530.8 million in average global total gross. Superman takes fourth place with a total of $451.3 million, while Captain America falls in at the eighth position.

Neither studio appears to be backing down, with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige stating: “We’re certainly keeping the date there." It seems that these superhero franchises could be in for one intense fight at the box office come 2016.