'Batman V Superman' Turkish Airlines Spots Emphasize The Charms Of Metropolis And Gotham City

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By Angie Han/Feb. 7, 2016 4:15 pm EST

We've heard that Warner Bros. didn't actually buy any airtime during Super Bowl 50, but that doesn't mean Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was left on the sidelines during Super Bowl Sunday's big ad bonanza. Thanks to partner Turkish Airlines, they managed to drop not one, but two promos today, and pretty clever ones at that.

The Batman v Superman Turkish Airlines spots take the form of tourism ads for the twin cities of Metropolis and Gotham, spotlighting local celebrities Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) and Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). Watch 'em both after the jump.

First, here's the Batman v Superman Turkish Airlines spot for Metropolis, prominently featuring hometown industrialist Lex Luthor. "Thanks to LexCorp's substantial contribution, Metropolis is now open for business again," he boasts.

And here's the Batman v Superman Turkish Airlines ad for Gotham City, with an appearance from billionaire businessman Bruce Wayne. "Thanks to a significant grant from my company Wayne Enterprises, Gotham is being restored to its former glory," he brags.

I suppose it makes sense for Metropolis to declare that it's "reborn, rebuilt, and stronger than ever" in the wake of the 9/11-style event seen at the climax of Man of Steel. But is it odd for Gotham to keep emphasizing that it's "risen above its past" to be "restored to its former glory"? Maybe don't remind people that your city used to be a cesspool of supervillains run amok, Gotham Tourism Board. And definitely don't bring up the opera house, which as far as we're concerned is most famous for being the site of a brutal double homicide.

And though it seems reasonable that celebrity CEOs Lex and Bruce, respectively, would represent Metropolis and Gotham, it's hard not to feel a tiny bit bad for Henry Cavill's Superman, who's only seen here as a fast-moving blur.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice arrives March 25.

Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City's own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis' most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it's ever known before.