Superhero Bits: Man Of Steel, Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., James Gunn, X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Want to watch more behind the scenes videos and see images from The Dark Knight Rises? How does an ABC executive describe Marvel's S.H.I.E.L.D.? Is Ian McKellen excited to return for X-Men: Days of Future Past? Does a Man of Steel prototype type offer a hint at one of the film's battles? Has James Gunn commented on his recent controversy? What does the playfield look like for that Avengers pinball machine? Read about all this and more in today's Superhero Bits.

Gizmodo has a cool behind the scenes clip from The Dark Knight Rises focusing on The Bat. It's not embeddable, so click above.The Huffington Post talked to Ian McKellen about returning for X-Men: Days of Future Past:

What a gas! I mean, Patrick Stewart and I have been have just been playing "Waiting for Godot" throughout England and in the West End of London. So, we've stayed in touch. We can't believe it [laughs]. I thought these were Fassbender and McAvoy's parts, but — no, no — we're back. We'll give them a run for their money. I mean, I haven't read the script, so I don't know how much we've got to do. But, to be back in that world, and for Bryan to be doing it — with all the success he's had in the meantime — it's wonderful. Wonderful.

Stern Pinball (via Collider) is released multiple new Avengers pinball games. That's just one playfield above. Head to the links for more.James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy, apologized for his controversial comic book column from several years back.

Teaser trailer for Stan Lee's Academy of Heroes.

Superhero Hype points out the Man of Steel novelization is already up for preorder.

Due to the amount of graphics and images included in Superhero Bits, we have to split this post over TWO pages. Click the link above to continue to the second page of Superhero Bits.

Batman On Film (via Reddit) visited the Dark Knight exhibit opening in Los Angeles this week and snapped this pic of the statue from the end of The Dark Knight Rises.The Amazing Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers are all eligible for the Best Visual Effects Oscar.Movies.com put together a cool Dark Knight Rises concept art gallery. That's just one image above.TV Line (via CBM) talked to the head of ABC about Joss Whedon's new TV show Marvel's S.H.I.E.L.D.

It's very Joss Whedon. We're optimistic, because Joss is a genius and we love the idea and we love what we've seen. But it's early days, and it's a long way to go between now and a successful series. But we are very excited about it.

THE FINAL BIT IS A POTENTIAL SPOILER FOR MAN OF STEEL.

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The Toyark (via CBM) found this Man of Steel prototype toy, which has an a weird armor on his right arm. What does it mean?