Like with any massive blockbuster, the rumor mill tends to go into overdrive as fans scurry for every piece of information they can find. Early in a film’s development, more often than not, those nuggets of info turn out to be false while the closer we get to a film’s release, the truth comes out.With the release of Batman v Superman, we’ve gone all the way back to when the film was first announced as an untitled Batman/Superman project at Comic-Con 2013 and dredged up all the rumors that surfaced over the course of the movie’s development.[Major spoilers ahead for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]

Warner Bros. Seeking Older Batman for ‘Batman vs. Superman’

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Image via Warner Bros.

Here’s the Rumor: Not long after Warner Bros. announced their Batman/Superman movie at Comic-Con (it wouldn’t get an official title for almost a year), Batman on Film reported that Warner Bros. was looking for actors in their mid-40s “to play a version of Batman who is ‘a grizzled veteran who has been on the job for several years.”

Here’s the Truth: Warner Bros. ended up casting Ben Affleck, who in his early 40s, and this Batman was indeed a grizzled veteran, but who has been working as Batman in Gotham City for longer than several years.

Ben Affleck’s Batman Costume Will Be Inspired by ‘Batman: Noel’?

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Image via Warner Bros.

Here’s the Rumor: CBM claimed that the new batsuit, specifically the cowl, would be based on the 2011 graphic novel, Batman: Noel. Additionally, Batman on Film reported that the new Batmobile would have a significant deviation from Nolan’s Tumbler designs and will have a markedly less military look.

Here’s the Truth: Even though they both have short ears, the new Batsuit doesn’t look like the one from Batman: Noel where the cowl blends together with the bat symbol. It’s far more reminiscent of the batsuit from The Dark Knight Returns. As for the new Batmobile, it’s a bit of a cross between the Tumbler and the long-hood design of the 1990s Batmobiles.

Dick Grayson/Nightwing Will Be in the Movie

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Image via DC Comics

Here’s the Rumor: In November 2013, Latino Review reported that they “heard the rumor from very trusted sources” that Dick Grayson (aka Nightwing) would be in the movie, although no one would confirm it. The Wrap further compounded the rumor by saying that Adam Driver was the frontrunner to play the part.

Here’s the Truth: It’s a good thing no one would confirm it because Nightwing is not in the movie. The closest we get is a suit for a dead Robin, and if Snyder is sticking the to the comics, it’s not Dick Grayson who “died”, but Jason Todd (who later returned as the Batman villain the Red Hood).

Batman Will Use Drones

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Image via DC Comics

Here’s the Rumor: With echoes of Mark Waid graphic novel Kingdom Come, Warner Bros. producer Daniel Alter said that Batman was “semi-retired/not speaking to Robin anymore.. Controlling drones from the batcave.”

Here’s the Truth: Not sure why Alter tweeted this. Batman is still fully employed as Batman, I guess you could say he’s not speaking to Robin because Robin is dead, and there are no drones.

Lex Luthor Not the Only Villain; Wonder Woman Has a Cameo-Plus Size Role

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Image via Warner Bros.

Here’s the Rumor: In January 2014, Batman on Film reported that the movie was “truly a Superman film” and that while Lex Luthor was the villain, he wasn’t the only one and that the bad guy wouldn’t be from Batman’s rogues gallery.

Additionally, they claimed while Batman would play a major role, his presence was primarily to set up the new “DCU on Film Batman” and the same went for Wonder Woman, although her role would be much smaller, along the lines of Black Widow in Iron Man 2.

Finally, they said that Jason Momoa was not playing Martian Manhunter or Aquaman because neither character was in the movie.

Here’s the Truth: Well, they did get the bit about Wonder Woman right. It is a cameo-plus sized role that’s on par or perhaps slightly above Black Widow in Iron Man 2. They were also right about Lex not being the only villain. There’s also Callan Mulvey's henchman, and, more importantly, Doomsday.

On everything else, the rumors didn’t pan out. Superman takes a back seat to Batman in this one, or at the very least, they’re on equal footing. Additionally, Momoa is in the movie and he plays Aquaman.

Lex Luthor to Have Hair; Will Be a Spastic

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Image via Warner Bros.

Here’s the Rumor: By June 2014, cameras had already been rolling for a few months, and Batman-News reported that Jesse Eisenberg’s iteration of Lex Luthor had a lot of hair that was “a bit longer, kind of loose and wavy, and it’s dirty blonde.” Furthermore, when it came to the character’s personality, “Luthor has spastic mannerisms, like a 20-something guy that pounds energy drinks all day.”

ComicBook.com went onto describe a scene where they claimed that Holly Hunter’s character was a U.S. Senator and that the scene takes place “early in the film” with Lex seeming ‘to embarrass or be very disrespectful to the congressmen on his way out.'”

Additionally, our source told us about Lex: “You are going to hate this guy. You are going to root for him to be punched by Supes when he weasels his way out of legal trouble. He is cocky and confident because he is THAT good at what he does. He’s a billionaire who knows he is more powerful than the Senator and Congressman visiting because he’s a billionaire.”

Here’s the Truth: This was right on the money both in terms of Lex’s hairstyle and in his behavior, although Eisenberg plays the character’s cockiness without any of the charm.

Lex’s Hairstyle, Motives, Wonder Woman’s Costume, and Bruce Wayne’s Dwellings

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Image via Warner Bros.

Here’s the Rumor: A couple weeks later, we got a collection of new rumors for the film. JoBlo claimed that Lex started with long, red hair and that his dislike for Superman came because there’s someone out there more powerful than him. He also tried to persuade people to dislike Superman and is moderately successful.

When it comes to Wonder Woman’s costume, JoBlo described it as “traditional yet sleeker” and “battle ready”. She’ll have “blue leather skirt, silver-armored cuffs that reach to her elbows, golden tiara (with a design of some sort in the center, possibly the red star) and a variation of the traditional-looking red top.”  Furthermore, she’ll be using a sword, shield, spear, and a lasso.  She’ll carry the shield on her back, Captain America-style.”

As for how the movie would introduce Diana, JoBlo claimed that the movie would introduce her as Diana, and she, “will have a fair amount of screen time and will team up with Batman and Superman for the final battle against an un-named villain who may be working or controlled by Lex Luthor.” Additionally, while her origins will be left vague, her presence would like people know Superman isn’t the only person with superpowers.

Finally, when it comes to Batman, JoBlo reported that the character was a “veteran crime fighter that will do anything it takes to get the job done” who doesn’t see eye-to-eye with the rule-following Superman.  Additionally, while Wayne Manor is in the movie, Bruce Wayne chooses to spend his days on the property’s modern-looking cottage by a lake.  However, the Batcave was still beneath the grounds and holds the Batmobile, Batwing, etc.

Here’s the Truth: These mostly came out as false or half-truths. Lex doesn’t have red hair, he doesn’t really do a good job of convincing anyone to hate Superman, the reason he hates Superman is because of daddy issues and overdeveloped atheist tendencies.

For Wonder Woman’s costume, they were mostly spot on, although the bracelets don’t reach the elbows and she doesn’t use a spear. They were also right that Wonder Woman would team up with Batman and Superman to fight a villain working for/controlled by Luthor, and that it’s clear she has superpowers.

And as for Batman, everything we see of him on the Wayne Manor grounds is in his Batcave or in the ruins of the mansion. Not sure where they got lake cottage. [Edit: As commenters have pointed out, indeed there are a couple of scenes at Batman's lake cottage in the film.]

‘Batman v Superman’ to Have Four Villains in Addition to Lex Luthor

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Image via DC Comics

Here’s the Rumor: In July 2014, we heard that there would be a collection of secondary villains, which included Batman nemesis Victor Zsazs, Lex Luthor’s spokesman Morgan Edge, assassin David Cain, and Suicide Squad founder Amanda Waller.

Here’s the Truth: There are only two villains in addition to Luthor, and both are in his employ. One in lead henchman Anatoli Knyazev and the other is Doomsday. None of the rumored villains appear in Batman v Superman.

Doomsday One of the Five Villains in ‘Batman v Superman’

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Image via Warner Bros.

Here’s the Rumor: In addition to the aforementioned villains, there was also going to be a fifth baddie in the mix. Bleeding Cool reported that some of their most reliable sources had seen Doomsday designs for the movie.

Here’s the Truth: Unfortunately, the movie indeed features Doomsday, a character without a personality, motives, or any purpose other than to be a walking set piece. But Doomsday is a big part of Batman v Superman.

Batman v Superman Rumors Reveal Ending Details, Timeline, Luthor’s Plan

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Image via Warner Bros.

Here’s the Rumor: In August 2014, a little over a year since Batman/Superman was announced, some hard details on the plot surfaced. First, an extra told GeekTyrant that one of the scenes shot featured Batman breaking into LexCorp to steal kryptonite, and apparently LexCorp had somehow gotten a hold of General Zod’s body.

Badass Digest confirmed and added, “Lex has been gathering pieces and debris from the World Engine and he has used them to synthesize Kryptonite. Meanwhile he has also gotten ahold of Zod’s corpse, and it is the key to his master plan to defeat Superman. He uses that tissue to…” and then showed an outline of Doomsday.

GeekTyrant also claimed that the movie picks up as the battle between Superman and General Zod ends or is ending.

Here’s the Truth: This is pretty close to what we got. We didn’t see Batman rob LexCorp, but we see he (stupidly) left his calling card after the theft. Lex also has Zod’s body and transforms it into Doomsday.

However, there’s no need to synthesize Kryptonite. Lex just gets it from the bottom of the Indian Ocean. Also, technically the movie begins with the funeral/death of Bruce Wayne’s parents, but the real first scene is the battle between Superman and General Zod.

Is Scoot McNairy Playing The Flash?

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Image via DC Comics

Here’s the Rumor: Scoot McNairy was spotted wearing an otherwise normal business suit that was cut off just below the knee and replaced with a bright green fabric—the kind of green fabric that is used for digital replacement. This means they could be having some fun with his legs to make him The Flash.

Here’s the Truth: Nope. He was playing Wally, a security guard who worked at Wayne Enterprises and lost his legs in Superman’s fight against Zod.

New Details on the Batmobile and Batsuit

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Image via Warner Bros.

Here’s the Rumors: In October 2014, Batman News claimed that the new armored Batsuit “has Kryptonite all over it and can shoot missiles,” and that there were two Batmobiles.

Here’s the Truth: No and no. The armored Batsuit does not shoot missiles nor is it covered in Kryptonite. Batman uses Kryptonite gas to weaken Superman, and plans to take down the Man of Steel using a Kryptonite spear. There’s also only one Batmobile, although the Batwing also makes an appearance.

‘Batman v Superman’ Will Directly Address ‘Man of Steel’ Criticisms

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Image via Warner Bros.

Here’s the Rumor: Once filming had wrapped on Batman v Superman, Badass Digest heard that the film would directly address Man of Steel criticisms like Superman not killing with a scene of Superman confronting a big bad guy, unraveling his plot, and saying “I won’t snap your neck, I’m going to take you to prison.” Additionally, during the big fight sequence, General Swanwick (Harry Lennix) says, “Superman will move the battle away from populated areas because he’s a hero, and that’s what heroes do.” These lines were from a draft that was turned in a month before filming began.

BD’s report also said that while the movie would open with Bruce Wayne’s backstory, it would then largely shift to more Superman. Furthermore, the movie takes “place a few years after Man of Steel, Lois and Clark are living together and still working at the Daily Planet, and the global implications of Superman (eg. China doesn’t want him in their air space) are explored.”

Here’s the Truth: Batman v Superman does address Man of Steel complaints in that it makes sure characters let us know that areas are uninhabited before a fight goes there.  Also, Batman's motivations are, in a way, a direct response to Man of Steel. Thankfully, the lines of dialogue mentioned above are nowhere the be found.

The movie begins 18 months after the events of Man of Steel, not a few years, and while Lois and Clark live together and work at the Planet, the movie doesn’t get too deep into how Superman is perceived outside of the U.S.

New ‘Batman v Superman’ Rumor Teases Scoot McNairy’s Role

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Image via DC Comics

Here’s the Rumor: /Film reported in August 2015 that Scoot McNairy was playing Jimmy Olsen, and that while the character had lost the use of his legs, he doesn’t blame Superman. He’s grateful that Superman saved the world.

Here’s the Truth: Again, McNairy plays a guy named Wally. And on the contrary from feeling grateful for Superman, he hates the Man of Steel and blames him for ruining his life. He’s eventually used as a suicide bomber for Lex Luthor. As for Jimmy Olsen, the movie never even identifies him as such, but he’s the photographer/CIA spook with Lois at the beginning of the film who gets shot in the head.