Los Angeles, Jan 19 (IANS): Warner Bros. Pictures has announced that the follow-up of superhero movie "Man of Steel" will hit theaters May 6, 2016, nine months after the previous release date of July 17, 2015.

The announcement was made Friday and the earlier date will now be reserved for a Peter Pan movie directed by Joe Wright, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

"We are happy to take advantage of these coveted summer dates, which are perfect for two of our biggest tentpole releases," Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution, Warner Bros., said in a statement.

"We share the fans’ excitement to see DC Comics’ most popular figures, Superman and Batman, together on the big screen for the first time, which will now be arriving in theatres in May 2016. Peter Pan has delighted people of every generation for more than a century, so we are thrilled to bring him back to the screen next summer for today’s moviegoers," he added.

The sequel, which will reunite Batman and Superman, will see Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill will reprise his role as Superman. Actress Gal Gadot will be seen as Wonder Woman.

The movie will be directed by Zack Snyder.