Back in June, the long-discussed Justice League movie took a leap forward when screenwriters Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney submitted a draft that reportedly left Warner Bros. executives smiling.
Now IESB.net passes along a rumor that the studio is viewing the movie as a possible launching point for Aquaman, The Flash, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern, and as an avenue to rejuvenate Superman. To that end, Justice League could be fast-tracked to begin production as early as February 2008 for release in summer 2009.
Just a rumor, sure. But add to that this interview with actor Ryan Reynolds — whose name is usually connected with The Flash – who implies there’s movement.
“I don’t really know how much I’m allowed to talk about that stuff,” he tells MTV.com. “[But] it’s no secret that they have a JLA script and it’s a project that’s in development.”
Back at IESB, the site reports confirmation from studio sources that the film will consist of at least Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash (Barry Allen), Green Lantern (John Stewart) and Aquaman. The script reportedly follows the OMAC storyline, and will feature Maxwell Lord.
Again, only rumors. For now.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:50 am
And don’t forget these same rumors also state that one of the JLA bites the dust.
Considering they want to launch each member into their own series following this film, that means we could see Barry or John be killed off, with Wally or Hal taking their place in the respective follow-ups.
Not placing any value judgement on that stuff (it is, after all, a rumor) – could suck, could be neat. The fact that executives are happy means dick, really.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:04 am
J’onn is problematic in a huge ensemble slugfest like this one, obviosuly. No audience recognition. Offputting to folks who assume he was created specifically for the film. Too tempting to make him the secret bad guy, or to kill him off. But I ahve to say that JL film without J’onn will just be missing something!
August 21st, 2007 at 11:35 am
Are we certain that J’Onn has no “audience recognition” in this post-Smallville, post-JLU cartoon age?
August 21st, 2007 at 11:37 am
As much as I would love to see the JLA on the big screen, I don’t feel like Warner Bros. has learned much from their mistakes in the past and I don’t have much optimism for it turning out well. Batman Begins (and I’m assuming The Dark Knight) is a fluke. Outside of Nolan’s stuff, DC movies are still severely lacking.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:59 am
“Considering they want to launch each member into their own series following this film, that means we could see Barry or John be killed off, with Wally or Hal taking their place in the respective follow-ups.”
Yes, do please kill off the African-American male character in an action movie because that wouldn’t be cliche at all.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Like I said, no value judgement on my end – John can be a great character when written well (and what are the odds of that happening in this movie?), but the rumor that one of the JLA will be killed does point to either GL or the Flash having a target on their backs, and if Stewart is the GL in the flick…
August 21st, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Wouldn’t you rather have ONE good Flash movie and/or ONE good Green Lantern movie than this…thing, that’s gonna have to introduce about FIVE different characters to the audience – never mind killing them off – AND give Superman and Batman (and Alfred and Lois and probably bloody Jason) stuff to do, all in under two and a half hours?
Haven’t we learned anything from Transformers/Spider-Man 3/X-Men 3/Batman and Arnold/etc., etc.?
//\Oo/\\
August 21st, 2007 at 1:41 pm
“Haven’t we learned anything from Transformers/Spider-Man 3/X-Men 3/Batman and Arnold/etc., etc.?”
Yeah – they make BANK on opening weekend.
And they sell well when they come out on DVD.
And you sell a lot of toys. And clothes. And cereal boxes. And video games. And…
And you get another cartoon tie-in, which gives you more toys.
Believe me, Warner Bros. has a head like a hole. Any artistic or fan merit the film may have will come as a concession to keep word of mouth decent in the production phase.
August 21st, 2007 at 1:57 pm
The OMAC storyline? Not to be picky, but isn’t there something else the screenwriters could adapt?
Maybe the White Martian storyline from Morrison’s run, a face-off with the Secret Society of Super-Villains, or a visit to Apokolips.
Just a suggestion.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:08 pm
“Yes, do please kill off the African-American male character in an action movie because that wouldn’t be cliche at all.”
Yep, people of more melanin-challenged tones never die. Hollywood is slowly trying to overturn the Civil Rights movement.
Jeebus, there’s only a rumor that a movie might be made and someone is already bitching over the death of a character AND citing racism. However, if a different Lantern was being used then OMG ITS R4CISM FTW LOL!!!11 because they did not use a black character. Give it a rest.
August 21st, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Joshua said
“Yep, people of more melanin-challenged tones never die. Hollywood is slowly trying to overturn the Civil Rights movement.
Jeebus, there’s only a rumor that a movie might be made and someone is already bitching over the death of a character AND citing racism. However, if a different Lantern was being used then OMG ITS R4CISM FTW LOL!!!11 because they did not use a black character. Give it a rest. ”
To be fair, Hal Jordan fans were screaming “reverse racism” and “excessive PC” when John was picked to star in the JL/JLU cartoons. So, it evens out.
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:50 am
Yes, and they’re all morons too. You can’t combat stupidity with stupidity.
August 30th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Jon Stewart is a great hero, but Hal Jordan is the starter. Please, give us Hal.
August 30th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
People would get up and go jsut to see Hal Jordan on the big screen. Don’t think the same is true for Jon. The trouble with Hal is he is every bit as a leader as Batman, Martian Manhunter or the Big S. He can’t slide into the wallpaper like Jon can.
August 30th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I agree. The Jon fans are already there no matter who GL is. Hal opens up a different demographic. Hal will draw in the fans who are 40 – 75 and their kids and grandkids. That’s a whole bunch of tickets on top of the base audience.
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