JUSTICE LEAGUE

[buster00]

Mark Waid wrote a JLA: Year One series a few years back, focusing on Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, J'onn J'onzz, and Black Canary. I'm betting on that lineup.

That is, presuming they ever get it off the ground at all.

Would that include the bit with them being turned into trees?

I dunno...

Oh, I do hope not.

[ONeillSG1]

Mark Waid wrote a JLA: Year One series a few years back, focusing on Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, J'onn J'onzz, and Black Canary. I'm betting on that lineup.

That is, presuming they ever get it off the ground at all.

Would that include the bit with them being turned into trees?

I dunno...

Oh, I do hope not.

Is that the one where some dude gets all their powers and becomes like an UBER-Blob?

[MasterWhedon]

SUPERMAN TO JOIN THE JUSTICE LEAGUE MOVIE?!!

That links to the Superman Returns Sequel thread, with the link to the original story.

[Leckomaniac]

Well now we have some contradictions going on:

What would the League be without the Bat? According to IESB, we won't have to find out. Their studio insider source wrote, "I ain't a fan of 'SUPERMAN RETURNS' and hope we don't see Routh in the role again unless it is in a 'JLA' movie, but I can tell you one thing: BATMAN is 100 percent going to be in the 'JLA' movie they're developing at Warner Brothers. So I wonder/question how reliable that other web-site's sources are ... Naturally, you and I never had this conversation!"

So Bats is going to be in the film. Will it be Bale?

[minstrel]

"Studio insider source".

Riiiiiight.

[Theta]

You can't have Superman in a League story because he'll explode the budget for a live action movie. Superman automatically expands the scale because you have to have a threat big enough for him to need help handling it. Expect that to be struck for budget reasons. Bale will most likely have a cameo in the suit, shot during the "Begins" sequel. I'm just going by financial logic here, really.

But, hey, a movie featuring Wonder Woman, the Atom, the Flash, Martian Manhunter, and some fan-favorite second-stringer like Red Tornado wouldn't be a bad movie at all, done in the right tone.

[RogueScribner]

A studio insider who uses the word "ain't"? Sounds like a guy worth listening to.

[havocSchultz]

You can't have Superman in a League story because he'll explode the budget for a live action movie. Superman automatically expands the scale because you have to have a threat big enough for him to need help handling it.

Like a big Real Estate SCHEME!!!

[buster00]

You can't have Superman in a League story because he'll explode the budget for a live action movie. Superman automatically expands the scale because you have to have a threat big enough for him to need help handling it. Expect that to be struck for budget reasons. Bale will most likely have a cameo in the suit, shot during the "Begins" sequel. I'm just going by financial logic here, really.

But, hey, a movie featuring Wonder Woman, the Atom, the Flash, Martian Manhunter, and some fan-favorite second-stringer like Red Tornado wouldn't be a bad movie at all, done in the right tone.

How do you figure that Superman would explode the budget, but not Martian Manhunter?

[walterjack]

Why couldn't they get Christian Bale and what's his name to do Bruce and Clark? They're not big salary guys... And with that many characters, screen time would be limited anyway, so they could get away with borderline cameos and make it work.

JC

[Adam Balm]

Why couldn't they get Christian Bale and what's his name to do Bruce and Clark? They're not big salary guys... And with that many characters, screen time would be limited anyway, so they could get away with borderline cameos and make it work.

JC

IC.

[Bob Samonkey]

Why couldn't they get Christian Bale and what's his name to do Bruce and Clark? They're not big salary guys... And with that many characters, screen time would be limited anyway, so they could get away with borderline cameos and make it work.

JC

IC.

IkindaPAMPIkindaLASH

JK...kinda

[Doc Holliday]

Why couldn't they get Christian Bale and what's his name to do Bruce and Clark? They're not big salary guys... And with that many characters, screen time would be limited anyway, so they could get away with borderline cameos and make it work.

JC

IC.

Thats just cold



(IC....icey.....ok, ok - I'm leaving!)

[Nachokoolaid]

Well now we have some contradictions going on:

What would the League be without the Bat? According to IESB, we won't have to find out. Their studio insider source wrote, "I ain't a fan of 'SUPERMAN RETURNS' and hope we don't see Routh in the role again unless it is in a 'JLA' movie, but I can tell you one thing: BATMAN is 100 percent going to be in the 'JLA' movie they're developing at Warner Brothers. So I wonder/question how reliable that other web-site's sources are ... Naturally, you and I never had this conversation!"

So Bats is going to be in the film. Will it be Bale?

Yes, according to this...

http://www.joblo.com/batman-joins-league

Supposedly it's in his contract to do one.

[Theta]

How do you figure that Superman would explode the budget, but not Martian Manhunter?

1) Expectations. Martian Manhunter is technically stronger than Superman, but nobody expects him to go off on galaxy spanning adventures.

2) He'll be easy to use; save his Martian form for the end of the movie and just have an actor playing John Jones, serving as a spy to collect information. You know, he's there to move the plot along and not much else. That way you can have fight scenes but he can't participate because it'll "blow his cover."

3) In terms of writing, Batman said it best: "For you all I need is a penny for a book of matches." He's got a big, obvious, and problematic weakness. If the effects budget is running over, ten bucks says John suddenly gets encircled with flames and has to be saved.

[zombieslayer]

How do you figure that Superman would explode the budget, but not Martian Manhunter?

1) Expectations. Martian Manhunter is technically stronger than Superman, but nobody expects him to go off on galaxy spanning adventures.

2) He'll be easy to use; save his Martian form for the end of the movie and just have an actor playing John Jones, serving as a spy to collect information. You know, he's there to move the plot along and not much else. That way you can have fight scenes but he can't participate because it'll "blow his cover."

3) In terms of writing, Batman said it best: "For you all I need is a penny for a book of matches." He's got a big, obvious, and problematic weakness. If the effects budget is running over, ten bucks says John suddenly gets encircled with flames and has to be saved.

Martian Manhunter has been in every version of the league, and he is flexible enough to utilize several different ways- in Animated, he just tells everyone where to go and what to do and coordinates telepathically most of the time.

[UltimaRex]

From Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117967042.html?categoryId=1350&cs=1

"One of the more ambitious projects around town — the bigscreen adaptation of DC Comics' "Justice League" — cleared a major hurdle last week.
Husband-wife writing duo Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney turned in a first draft that had Warner Bros. suits actually smiling — no small feat, considering "Justice" follows a half-dozen of the best-known superheroes working together, including Batman and Superman.

But the accomplish-ment raises a tricky question for Warners: Should it release "Justice" before its "Superman Returns" sequel?

Christopher Nolan’s next Batman pic "The Dark Knight" bows in July 2008. Bryan Singer’s "Superman" follow-up had been expected to play in 2009. But there’s no script yet for that pic, while Singer is busy getting ready to shot Tom Cruise starrer "Valkyrie" for UA."

[Adam Balm]

Link fixed.

[buster00]

"Husband-wife writing duo Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney turned in a first draft that had Warner Bros. suits actually smiling — no small feat, considering "Justice" follows a half-dozen of the best-known superheroes working together, including Batman and Superman."

Well well well. The plot thickens.

I'm reading that to imply the Mulroneys wrote Bats and Supes into their script.

[Leckomaniac]

Unless the reporter got the details wrong, which is always a possibility. I do not really see Nolan's BATMAN interacting with a Justice League.

As much as I love the Justice Leauge in the comics and the cartoons and stuff...the thought of a Justice League film really scares me. I envision a mighty traink wreck.

[buster00]

As much as I love the Justice Leauge in the comics and the cartoons and stuff...the thought of a Justice League film really scares me. I envision a mighty traink wreck.

Uhhhhyup.

[Ribbons]

As much as I love the Justice Leauge in the comics and the cartoons and stuff...the thought of a Justice League film really scares me. I envision a mighty traink wreck.

Uhhhhyup.

Hehe... for the curious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkUVYQbx6qE

[Leckomaniac]

I love how short and chunky The Atom looks.

[MonkeyM666]

If this movie works, it's going to be amazing. We need more info!

[Leckomaniac]

Need more info? How about a potential director?

According to Latino Review (cough*grainofsalt*cough) WB is looking at Mr. Happy Feet himself George Miller to direct the JLA film.

Here is the text from the CHUD article:

Latino Review is reporting that they’re hearing that George Miller, the man behind Mad Max, Babe and the huge hit Happy Feet, is being tapped to direct the Justice League movie.

All of this makes a lot of sense. Moriarty over at Aint It Cool ran a news item this weekend saying that Warner Bros execs were looking closely at the Justice League script, which had been done lickety-split. Miller just made WB a bunch of money with his CG penguin film, and they’re feeling pretty high on him. And the buzz going around is that the Man of Steel movie won’t happen but that the next Superman feature will essentially be this.

Will it be called Superman and the Justice League? Reports earlier this month has Kevin Spacey coming back as Lex Luthor in a Superman sequel… which this could possibly be considered. This would be a wise move for WB, as they get to claim they’re doing a Superman sequel while launching a new team franchise and possibly setting up a half dozen new single character franchises in one fell swoop.

What would this Justice League movie be? According to Moriarty’s scooper:

I know that Superman, Batman, The Flash, Aquaman, and Jon Stewart all appear in the script.

Maxwell Lord, OMAC, and someone named Talia (Al Ghul?) all appear. One of the OMACs is referred to as "Beta", so the story may involve the start of the OMAC project.

If Miller is being hired, expect information to start exploding soon.

[Evil Hobbit]

Whoaaa, Miller would so totally rock! He can bring is Mad Max badassness to the game. Maybe even some of that Babe 2 cynical humor !

[Peven]

i think this is pretty interesting if true and a good sign for what to expect from a JL movie. also i think it is a good strategy to let Supes make an appearance in a JL movie, which i am assuming will be very action-oriented, before putting out a SR sequel.

[secret squirrel]

ok maybe i read this wrong, but werent there rumors about this movie being completely CGI like happy feet?

[Leckomaniac]

There is absolutely NO justice in the world. According to IESB.net there are TWO directors in line to direct the JLA film. The first, as already reported, is George Miller.

Now the second...


















...wait for it...




























...McG...
















...apparently WB would be happy with either choice. Fuck. Oh yeah...and apparently a member of the Justice League dies.

[burlivesleftnut]

BARRY ALLEN. There I ruined the whole movie for you.

[buster00]

Oh yeah...and apparently a member of the Justice League dies.

What, have you guys never been to the movies before?

Do we have to draw you a big black picture?

[unikrunk]

Oh yeah...and apparently a member of the Justice League dies.

What, have you guys never been to the movies before?

Do we have to draw you a big black picture?

Buster - please get the hell out of my mind, it hurts like hell when you do that, and it gives me a nosebleed.

[The Vicar]

Oh yeah...and apparently a member of the Justice League dies.

What, have you guys never been to the movies before?

Do we have to draw you a big black picture?

8)

[TonyWilson]

I'd like to see Verbinski do this. I haven't seen At Worlds End yet but the first 2 Pirate movies are 2 of my favourite summer blockbuster movies ever.

[unikrunk]

It could work, but I can't get images of Mystery Men and The Tick out of my head - they are clouding my judgment, damn it.

In reality, I think you could pull it off, and not have to have an origin for all of the JL - fuck, everyone including my grandmother knows who the hell Hawk-Girl is, and the flash...runs fast.

I think if the film makers just drop us into the reality of the JL universe and don’t try to explain everything, you have a good movie. Think BladeRunner with sunshine and rainbows -

Plus, there have been other 'team' movies that have been successful (The Incredibles) so ground has been broken already...



I am just not sure I want a JL movie. I like the toon and the comics, but a JL movie just is not grabbing me right now.

[TonyWilson]

The problem I see is Batman.
WB aren't letting Smallville anywhere near Bruce/Bats because they have too much riding on the resurrected Batman franchise, I can't particularly see them letting him play in an ensemble piece live action Superhero team movie, cus that's a hell of a gamble, especially after SR's low Box Office meaning that WB can't rely on Supes name to anchor and market the movie on. Part of me wants to see them say fuckit and re-relaunch Superman with a JL movie but I think Singer is probably tied into Superman for the moment.
I don't know, I can't really see this happening for the moment, maybe after Man Of Steel and Dark Knight but not until then.

[doglips]

There is absolutely NO justice in the world. According to IESB.net there are TWO directors in line to direct the JLA film. The first, as already reported, is George Miller.

Now the second


...wait for it....


...McG...


...apparently WB would be happy with either choice. Fuck.

WOW....Fuck.

[bamf]

I have been contemplating what the music would be liek for this film. Would they marry hints of supes/bats themes into the main? Who could best capture the mythos? Lets leave Elfman/Williams out of the mix, they have done thier share, (and Trevor Rabin ). When I look at Alex Ross art I can hear the Philharmonic swell, with movements as big as the characters on screen. Clint Mansell did amazing work with The Fountain, wonder what he could with it.

The real chalenge is the principles will each have thier own theme, and then the main score. Making something unique, while keeping in mind the future of that character in spinoffs--the composer is essenitally orchestrating the music for multiple new films. Who can do it?

[burlivesleftnut]

I WILL!

[The Garbage Man]

Quiet you, you've got a video game to make.

[burlivesleftnut]

Man I hate being pigeon holed so early in my career. (

[Fried Gold]

It could be that the "JLA: Year One" story might be the basis for the film.

It uses Barry Allen, Hal Jordan, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter and Black Canary as founding members. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman only play minor roles - the other members attempt to get the Big Three involved without success until the end of the story.

It would get around any budget concerns about including Superman & Batman. It would also have the added benefit of annoying lots of people for not using them as founders!

[Chairman Kaga]

It would also have the added benefit of annoying lots of people for not using them as founders!

I'm all for annoying fandom.

[instant_karma]

The problem I see is Batman.
WB aren't letting Smallville anywhere near Bruce/Bats because they have too much riding on the resurrected Batman franchise, I can't particularly see them letting him play in an ensemble piece live action Superhero team movie, cus that's a hell of a gamble, especially after SR's low Box Office meaning that WB can't rely on Supes name to anchor and market the movie on. Part of me wants to see them say fuckit and re-relaunch Superman with a JL movie but I think Singer is probably tied into Superman for the moment.
I don't know, I can't really see this happening for the moment, maybe after Man Of Steel and Dark Knight but not until then.

I don't know if the wider movie going public would really care so much about the continuity/tone of Batman or Superman in a JL movie matching up with their respective franchises.

I think that's maybe more of a geek concern. If this movie happens with those characters included, I'll probably just think of it like some kind of Elseworlds story. But if they do somehow manage to keep them in line with their current franchise incarnations, so much the better.

Well, actually, it would be nice if Superman could find a Y chromosome in the meantime...

[Chilli]

The problem I see is Batman.
WB aren't letting Smallville anywhere near Bruce/Bats because they have too much riding on the resurrected Batman franchise, I can't particularly see them letting him play in an ensemble piece live action Superhero team movie, cus that's a hell of a gamble, especially after SR's low Box Office meaning that WB can't rely on Supes name to anchor and market the movie on. Part of me wants to see them say fuckit and re-relaunch Superman with a JL movie but I think Singer is probably tied into Superman for the moment.
I don't know, I can't really see this happening for the moment, maybe after Man Of Steel and Dark Knight but not until then.

I don't know if the wider movie going public would really care so much about the continuity/tone of Batman or Superman in a JL movie matching up with their respective franchises.

I think that's maybe more of a geek concern. If this movie happens with those characters included, I'll probably just think of it like some kind of Elseworlds story. But if they do somehow manage to keep them in line with their current franchise incarnations, so much the better.

Well, actually, it would be nice if Superman could find a Y chromosome in the meantime...

Here's a way out, just set it ten years in the future. Supes looks the same, but you can use an older Batman whose seen some crazy ass shit that he can't explain. Perhaps even have him as our link to the world, seeing as how he's used to a sense of logic.

[Leckomaniac]

It looks like this will be happening sooner than we think. From IESB.net:

[quote]When the news broke that JLA (Justice League of America) was moving forward with a script written by Kiernan and Michele Mulroney, speculations began that the follow-up to Superman Returns, The Man of Steel, would be delayed or even completely scrapped.
WB studio sources quickly said that was just mere speculation and The Man of Steel was still planned for a first quarter 2008 start date. Even recently, Brandon Routh told us the same thing during a quick red carpet interview at the premiere for Transformers.

At the same time, we are hearing some execs over WB were not happy with the way Superman Returns performed regardless of the $390 million plus worldwide box office take and that’s why Justice League is being pushed through the studio at a record pace.

The JLA script has been received with open arms by Warners and the goal is for the film to be the launching point for The Flash, Wonder Woman, The Green Lantern and Aquaman as well as rejuvenate Superman.

When do the powers-that-be want to start production on Justice League? Apparently, as soon as the first quarter of 2008, that’s right, WB sources have informed the IESB that execs behind the Justice League of America want it to be in production as early as February/March 2008 to be ready for a summer of 2009 release.

What’s the rush? The pending strikes are definitely one of the reasons that Warner Bros. wants to move quickly on the ensemble pic. They also want to start building a fan base behind the new heroes that will help them go on to have their own stand-alone films.

Some questions arise. What will happen to The Man of Steel film that Bryan Singer has already signed on to do? Would Warner Brothers be willing to lose the money they would have to pay to Singer regardless if he directs the film or not? Will Christian Bale and Brandon Routh reprise their roles as Batman and Superman?

Some rumors indicate that studio execs have considered recasting Superman and a few names have popped up. But the honest truth is that the studio just does not know at this time whether Routh will return or not. We’ll just have to wait and see.

And Batman? If Justice League starts production early ‘08 that would give Bale a three to five month break between “Batmanâ€

[Chairman Kaga]

I think it would be in Warner's best interest to negotiate a separate contract with Bale and Routh for the JLA film thus keeping their 3 picture deals within Bats and Supes trilogies.

[Leckomaniac]

I think it would be in Warner's best interest to negotiate a separate contract with Bale and Routh for the JLA film thus keeping their 3 picture deals within Bats and Supes trilogies.

In order to do that...they would have to seriously cough up the dough. Bale's people would probably make it very hard on WB and force them to pay a premium in order to do that.

I am going to say that, given everything, I am going to come down firmly against a JLA film. In theory, it could be cool, but I find a whole heap of problems in the execution. Plus, I want my Singer Superman sequel now. I don't care about a JLA film. I want Nolan's Bat trilogy and Singer's Supes trilogy and I don't want them derailed because of a JLA film.

[Chairman Kaga]

I am going to say that, given everything, I am going to come down firmly against a JLA film. In theory, it could be cool, but I find a whole heap of problems in the execution. Plus, I want my Singer Superman sequel now. I don't care about a JLA film. I want Nolan's Bat trilogy and Singer's Supes trilogy and I don't want them derailed because of a JLA film.

I agree. I meant that the only way a JLA film would be satisfying would be if they didn't crash the other two franchises in the process. I would rather see a Flash and a Green Lantern origin film rather than introducing them in a JLA film. I don't think this will get very far anyway.

[burlivesleftnut]

I too would rather see solo films before the big team up. There is just no way they are going to do characters like Flash, Green Lanter or Wonder Woman ANY--uh--justice in some over crowded movie about OMACs of all things.


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