Moviegoers across the world still don’t know who is going to come out on top when Batman and Superman finally tussle in the hugely anticipated comic-book hybrid next summer. But famed astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson has decided to help out Gotham’s most famous son by revealing how he could actually beat the alien from Krypton.
DeGrasse Tyson admitted to Tech Insider that in a straight-up fight, Batman wouldn’t stand a chance against Superman. In fact, the Star Talk radio host insisted that “Clark Kent would wipe his butt with Batman.”
He wasn’t done there though, because DeGrasse Tyson then poked fun at Batman for wearing a cape. Tyson isn’t really sure why the Dark Knight decides to wear such a needless piece of attire, especially since he can’t actually fly. Meanwhile, because of the fact that he is super-human, Superman can leap into the air like a rocket taking off from Cape Canaveral.
Tyson believes that Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego, who unlike his rival doesn’t possess any super powers, could tackle and beat Superman, but not in a bare-knuckle brawl.
He explained that in order for Batman to win he would have to think “outside the box.”
DeGrasse Tyson continued, “If Batman is ever to defeat Superman, it is not in a cage, it is some other way. It is the court of public opinion, perhaps. Forces that are not how big are your muscles or how fast you can run or how high you can fly, but who do you want working for you. That’s a different issue. That’s a more subtle issue.”
DeGrasse Tyson added that most superheroes throughout their time trying to protect the world from evil forces find themselves despised by the people that they are looking to keep from harm.
This is why he believes the battle of popularity will ultimately be key in who comes out on top in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice.
Despite this answer, Neil deGrasse Tyson was adamant that a battle between Batman and Superman was actually a rather stupid proposition. Instead, he thinks that a more interesting and fair fight would be between Iron Man and Batman.
DeGrasse Tyson believes that because Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark are two humans that have used technology and science to create different ways to fight crime and baddies.
But who does DeGrasse Tyson think would win in this altercation? Iron Man.
DeGrasse Tyson explained that his money would be on Tony Stark simply because “he invented everything that he uses.” Meanwhile, because Batman uses a variety of engineers, including Lucius Fox and Alfred Pennyworth, for assistance he would be at a disadvantage.
Unfortunately for both DeGrasse Tyson and comic-book fans, there’s one little thing stopping this coveted brawl from taking place: Iron Man is owned by Marvel and Batman is owned by DC. This means that it’s never going to happen, unless DC/Warner Bros. and Marvel Studios come to an almighty agreement. But that’s very, very, very, very unlikely/impossible.
This isn’t the first time that Neil DeGrasse Tyson has applied his expert knowledge of all things science to Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, which was directed by Zack Snyder from a script by Chris Terrio. Tyson was one of the talking heads that could be heard in the teaser trailer for the superhero hybrid, as he gave his opinion on why Superman had come down to Earth.
DeGrasse Tyson loves to mix his knowledge with pop culture, having previously used his expertise to analyze Interstellar, while he has also been asked to help Star Wars: Rogue One writers with an astronomy question.
[Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images & Cindy Ord/Getty Images for FOX & Warner Bros.]