It’s been a busy start of the year for the big leather couch in Batman vs Superman‘s casting office. So let’s take a look at a few of the names that have sprung up, and give you the latest chatter surrounding DC’s plans:

A trusted source says that the unnamed DC film that Dwayne Johnson will be working on in 2014 will, indeed, be a Justice League movie. That’s not all, though, because this has folks wondering how the JL movie can be underway in 2014, when WB/DC are in full-swing production of BvS. Well, the current thought amongst some insiders is that Batman vs Superman and Justice League are going to be shotback-to-back, ala The Hobbit films, the Pirates of The Caribbean sequels, and the latter two Matrix flicks.

Why?

• To maximize everyone’s schedules. Ben Affleck is a busy man, Henry Cavill is in-demand, and Johnson is a workaholic. Not to mention Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, and the rest of the unannounced cast are no slouches either.

• Because Batman vs Superman is going to end with an insane cliffhanger/teaser that leads right into Justice League and, like those other back-to-back productions, they want to be able to deliver the second film within a year to strike while the iron is hot. Could this very aggressive approach be how DC intends to pull the rug right out from under rival Marvel Studios? Sure could be.

This would also explain the abundance of characters we keep hearing linked to BvS, and should also soothe the fears of folks that think it’s going to be too loaded a film. In essence, all this talk of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Nightwing, Flash, Green Lantern, etc might all just be leading to a single gigantic group cameo before the credits roll, starting a fever pitch of anticipation for Justice League in 2016.

As usual, take this with a grain of salt. It’s an idea that’s been formulated using a combination of insider information and good old fashioned speculation from folks who’ve been in the game a long, long time. Not to mention, the logic seems to pan out.

Jason Momoa, who was once up for the role of Drax the Destroyer in Marvel’s Guardians of The Galaxy (a part that ultimately went to former WWE Superstar, Dave Bautista) has finally addressed the rumors surrounding his involvement with Batman vs Superman.

“It’s just rumors. I want to say something amazing, but I can’t comment on rumors. It’s flattering. I’m not involved in it.”

Momoa made the revelation in a chat with IGN. So much for those rumors that he was up for Doomsday- who many folks seem to believe will be one of two villains in BvS.

Fans who’ve been clamoring for Lost‘s Josh Holloway to dive into a big comic book property may be as close as ever to getting their wish. Too bad it looks very unlikely. CBM is reporting that a trusted source of their’s has informed them Holloway is being considered for a role in Batman vs Superman. I, and many others, would say that the 44 year old actor would be a lock to play the King of The Seven Seas, Aquaman.

However, logic- and our own El Mayimbe- are quick to point out that the man’s schedule is likely to rule him out. Holloway just headlined the most-watched TV premiere of the season with his CBS series, Intelligence. While it’s perfectly possible that he read for BvS before Intelligence hit the air, the fact that the series could be a huge hit and turn into a longterm commitment for him could ultimately remove him DC’s plans.

It wouldn’t be the first time a TV commitment limited an actor’s ability to leap to the silver screen. Famous examples from the past include Tom Selleck, who would’ve been Indiana Jones if not for Magnum P.I., and Pierce Brosnan who would’ve become James Bond over a decade sooner if he weren’t all ready doing Remington Steele. 

And there you have it. That’s the latest scuttlebutt coming out of Batman vs Superman. As always, there’s no official word on any of this (except for Mamoa’s blunt denial) but I wouldn’t be surprised to see DC/WB come out with confirmations/denials in the near future as all-eyes are going to be on them in the months to come as production for BvS ramps up.