WARNER BROS STARTS JUSTICE LEAGUE FILM PROJECT

**MattBrady** · 02-23-2007, 06:55 AM

Holy cow, Batman.

As comic book movies have proliferated over the past few years, comic fans have begun to wonder – when will we start seeing the team-based films? As Marvel’s X-Men films have shown, putting more than one super-powered character into a film can work…but what about the icons joining up?

Possibly sooner than expected.

According to Variety Warner Bros. is looking to produce a Justice League movie, and has hired Kiernan and Michele Mulroney to pen the script. After rumors of a possible Batman vs. Superman film this is the first actual news that the studio is looking to make a feature based on more than one hero.

As the trade reported/speculated, such a film would certainly include some blend of DC Comics’ iconic heroes, rather than wholly B-listers.

"The Justice League of America has been a perennial favorite for generations of fans, and we believe their appeal to film audiences will be as strong and diverse as the characters themselves," Warner President of production Jeff Robinov said in announcing the hiring of the Mulroneys.

As Variety mentioned, and fans will surely begin to discuss, such a film has many complicating issues inherent, such as cast – will Warner Bros, if they include Superman and Batman in the mix, cast Brandon Routh and Christian Bale – their current Superman and Batman, or will they re-cast the roles for this project (as each approach would come with budgetary considerations)? Will the film version of the Justice League be connected to the heroes’ solo films? Where does the film take place in the heroes’ lives, and the team's timeline? How will a Justice League film coordinate among all of the production teams working on the various individual properties?

While the Justice League has starred in a handful of their own animated television series over the years, the idea has been tested out in a live action manner, in Warners’ Smallville, which has featured a growing list of other young heroes (Green Arrow, Cyborg, Flash, Aquaman, along with a young Superman) in guest appearances, which culminated in the episode entitled “Justice.”

If the potential problems can be hammered out, the inclusion of a Justice League film franchise would add a major player to Warner Bros. superhero film slate, which already has a Batman sequel set for a 2008 release, and a Superman sequel for 2009, with Wonder Woman trying to get off the starting blocks.

And of course, the Justice League may not be the only team in town – Marvel has previously announced their intent to produce a film based on it’s premiere super-team, The Avengers. Although, Marvel has said it would like to see an Avengers film occur after Iron Man, Thor and Captain America have their own individual film franchises launched.

Steve J. · 02-23-2007, 07:07 AM

The Batman and Superman franchises complicate the situation, but a successful JLA movie could be the launching pad for others, including Wonder Woman. There is definitely an audience for the super-hero movie, but Time-Warner needs to tread carefully coming to the party as late as they are with new properties.

Innercaine · 02-23-2007, 07:07 AM

About time!

turk9 · 02-23-2007, 07:08 AM

Sometimes the studios get too bogged down in the details. Making a JLA movie can't help but be a success. Seeing all those iconic characters on screen together is just a can't miss deal.

turk

EmeraldGuy32 · 02-23-2007, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Holy cow, Batman.

was that really necessary?

Jamal Y. Igle · 02-23-2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmeraldGuy32

was that really necessary?

no.
but it's funny as hell.

gokujam · 02-23-2007, 07:27 AM

I just peed my pants

Michael Heide · 02-23-2007, 07:30 AM

For a film like this you'd need a huge, probably record-setting budget. Superman's special effects are expensive enough, but add potential members like Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter or Plastic Man, and the SFX will suck your budget dry.
Add to that the fact that - if you want to spin off solo films, like Steve J suggested - you'll might want to cast actors that could hold their own outside of an ensemble movie, and you're looking at a casting list resembling Ocean's 14. Another cost factor.
And then there's the release date question, because you might want to get the production money back. Will you release the film in February, like Ghost Rider? Less competition, less moviegoers. But if the Justice League film is your tentpole movie, be aware that it might tank, because the audience prefers the next Harry Potter, or James Bond, or even X-Men movie.

We know and love the Justice League. But for the average audience, it'll be "Superman, Batman and a bunch of heroes nobody knows". Will that be enough? I wish. But I doubt it.

kiddae · 02-23-2007, 07:38 AM

They're jerks. They're not making Goyer's Flash because it was "too similar in tone to Batman Begins and Superman Returns", when that would have been perfect for a future JLA movie. Make Goyer's Flash, Whedon's Wonder Woman, somebody's Green Lantern and use those actors for a Justice League movie; THAT should've been the plan, jerks. But now it's all loused up. LOUSED!

Hushman · 02-23-2007, 07:43 AM

I've never wanted a comic adaption to work so much in my life.

Think of the potential. Think of what it could be... it's intoxicating.

Colonsus · 02-23-2007, 07:52 AM

Aw, man! This would be freaking SWEET! It'd be especially cool if they used Bale and Routh and whoever else is cast as DC characters in solo movies by then, since it'd add a neat bit of interconnectedness to all the "separate" movie universes.

This could be awesome! Can't wait to hear more!

AndiM · 02-23-2007, 07:56 AM

Yes, indeed I'd be happy with such a movie. Take the elements of the - imo - two best runs from the old series: Morrison's really EPIC aproach to the JLA and Waid's more character based one, find a way to get both of them into the movie and we'll have a great one

.

Though for the big audience a Morrison style movie minus some of the more weird things might work best at the box office.

puckett · 02-23-2007, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Heide

For a film like this you'd need a huge, probably record-setting budget.

see... normally id disagree and try to sight some example.... but youre right. this is the JLA. itll need a very large budget because it has to outdo the batman and superman franchise ALREADY.

nietoperz · 02-23-2007, 08:34 AM

This would only work if Warners could absolutely guarantee the inclusion of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman (not to mention The Flash and Green Lantern). Otherwise there's no point...

JL_Amato · 02-23-2007, 08:34 AM

I'm not looking forward to this.

It might be really good but WB will need a really great script to be able to explain to the audience who each character is.

jza1218 · 02-23-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Heide

Add to that the fact that - if you want to spin off solo films, like Steve J suggested - you'll might want to cast actors that could hold their own outside of an ensemble movie, and you're looking at a casting list resembling Ocean's 14.

Yes, because Christian Bale, Brandon Routh, Thomas Jane, Eric Bana, Tobey Maguire, Ioan Gruffold, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis etc. were all huge names prior to the casting of their respective films...

Johnny Triangles · 02-23-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nietoperz

This would only work if Warners could absolutely guarantee the inclusion of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman (not to mention The Flash and Green Lantern). Otherwise there's no point...

Agreed 100%. Also, I'd love them to recast Superman, I don't want to see the manchild Brandon "Jason Schwatzman on Creatine" Routh in the role.

cap infinity · 02-23-2007, 08:49 AM

Personally I think Warner Brothers needs to stop planning movies and actually make a few.

Marvel's putting out an average of 3 films a year while we're lucky to get one from DC/WB every couple of years. You could argue about quality over quantity, but for as long as it took to get a new Superman movie in theaters, I didn't think it was that good (why add a f-ing super-kid? you know he's going to be a big part of the sequels now.)

While Marvel's movies are not always that good, they have a better track record than DC and they actually get films made.

Flash has been delayed again with the firing of Goyer, Wonder Woman's delayed again with the loss of Whedon (Though to be honest, Whedon's apparent apathy towards WW had me worried about what he was doing), Shazam has been "in development" for a couple of years, who knows if Watchmen will ever get made, etc.

KoozyK · 02-23-2007, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JL_Amato

I'm not looking forward to this.

It might be really good but WB will need a really great script to be able to explain to the audience who each character is.

who the hell are Kiernan and Michele Mulroney??? they're nobody's with no extensive writing experience. this doesn't makes sense! they should hire a top screenwriter to create the best damn screenplay possible. instead, they hire two people whose only real writing experience hasn't even been completed.

my (hopeful) guess, they are only writing a draft/spec script which will be handed over to a more talented screenwriter.

pez dispenser · 02-23-2007, 08:58 AM

This certainly has some intriguing possibilities, but like one or two of you have already said, it would only work with a HUGE budget.
Either way, I hope they take their time and do it right.

I'd go see it.

jza1218 · 02-23-2007, 09:00 AM

They should just spin it off of Smallville's Justice League idea but set it a few years later.

Doc Whiskey · 02-23-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gokujam

I just peed my pants

I just pee'd his pants too.

KraziJoe · 02-23-2007, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jza1218

They should just spin it off of Smallville's Justice League idea but set it a few years later.

I was just thinking the same thing. We already have Superman, Green Arrow, Impulse, Aquaman, Cyborg and Martian Manhunter. That would be a nice little group.

Johnny Triangles · 02-23-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoozyK

who the hell are Kiernan and Michele Mulroney??? they're nobody's with no extensive writing experience. this doesn't makes sense! they should hire a top screenwriter to create the best damn screenplay possible. instead, they hire two people whose only real writing experience hasn't even been completed.

my (hopeful) guess, they are only writing a draft/spec script which will be handed over to a more talented screenwriter.

Why are you equating fame and experience with talent. To be honest, I kind of like that it's being done by relative unknowns, they'll be hungry to do a good job and probably won't phone it in. I mean Jeph Loeb and Brad Meltzer are very established and I'm sure they'd do a horrible job.

MHELLER1974 · 02-23-2007, 09:23 AM

Never heard of these writers before, after doing a little poking around, it appears they are the brother and sister in law of Hollywood actor Dermot Mulroney.
As to anyone being concerned about a script, no matter what they write, they
never film a first draft, the original writers will be lucky to still be on board when they go to revision 4 and 5.
With Bale locked in for 2 more Batman films, and Routh cemented as Superman, as much as I do not like Routh's Superman, I think it would be absolutely disastrous NOT to have them both in the film. WB is really going to have open up the pocket books to get these guys on board now though, even though Superman didn't entirely meet expectations, it's a situation where the studio needs the actors more than the other way around.