Warner Bros. have pushed Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s release date to March 25, 2016 from its original release to avoid stout competition with Marvel’s Captain America 3.

After tons of speculation that Warner Bros. wasn’t willing to flinch, they’ve now officially moved Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to March 25, 2016. The film was originally set to be released on May 6, 2016, but then Marvel announced that Captain America 3 would share the same release date.

Fans have been curious as to whether Warner Bros. would rethink their release date at the sight of Marvel challenging them with one of their stout superhero franchises, but it wasn’t likely due to the film already starting production. But it looks like WB has decided to switch their release date afterall.

What a move by Warner Bros., which currently has Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice filming in Detroit with our first look at Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne landing online today. The studio clearly felt the need to distance itself from Captain America 3, which is expected to be a monster hit.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier broke April’s box office record when it hit theaters on April 4. The film pulled in $95M during its opening weekend and went on to take in $713 million worldwide.

Warner Bros. have also announced nine new untitled DC films, which can be found below in their lineup which includes dates all the way until 2020.

Untitled DC Film – 08/05/16

Untitled DC Film – 06/23/17

Untitled DC Film – 11/17/17

Untitled DC Film – 03/23/18

Untitled DC Film – 07/27/18

Untitled DC Film – 04/05/19

Untitled DC Film – 06/14/19

Untitled DC Film – 04/03/20

Untitled DC Film – 06/19/20

While it’s not entirely surprising that the studio has decided to move Batman v Superman’s release date up to March 25, Marvel’s recent success with Guardians of the Galaxy proves that releasing a film during the same weekend as them could potentially kill a film’s box office. But it could have been just as bad for Marvel if WB would have kept Batman v Superman at its original date.

It always seemed like either Marvel or Warner Bros. would move their respective films due to an overcrowded weekend, but Marvel had released a statement several months ago reiterating that they’d be sticking to their date. “Following the record-breaking premiere of Marvel’s ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ this past weekend, the First Avenger will jump into his next big screen solo adventure in just a little more than two years on May 6, 2016!”

Marvel showed no sign that they were willing to move Captain America 3, and that could be the reason that we’re finally seeing Warner Bros. move up Batman v Superman’s release date. The good news is we’ll be getting Batman v Superman a bit earlier than expected.

It’s a significant adjustment though, with WB moving the Man of Steel sequel up by over five weeks. This also makes it land on the same release date as Eddie Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop 4, but that’s certainly a less imposing film to open against.

Of interest to our readers: Batman v Superman will be released one week after Allegiant, Part 1.

Let us know what you think of Warner Bros. shifting Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s release date to March 25, 2016 to avoid Marvel’s Captain America 3.