Bruce Timm's Justice League

Before Samuel L. Jackson started assembling the Avengers, before Ben Affleck started gathering the League, and before Stephen Amell said "you have failed this city," Bruce Timm made a superhero shared universe that set the bar for all others.  Back in the 1990's, the writer/director/producer gave us probably the greatest superhero series ever with Batman: The Animated Series, and then something great in Superman: The Animated Series.  Then he brought it together with Justice League and Justice League: Unlimited.  If you add Batman Beyond to the mix you've got a crossover universe that was fantastic to watch.

I remember watching Batman: The Animated Series on Saturday mornings.  I was a bit older when Justice League came around in 2001, but through Netflix and streaming services I finished all four seasons many years ago.  I grew up reading DC Comics, but this series introduced me to all the colorful characters DC has in their bank.  I HIGHLY recommend Batman, Superman, and Justice League for anyone wanting to get a good grasp on all that DC superheroes are and can be.

With the JL heading to theaters next week for their first live-action(big screen) adaptation I thought I would share with you some of my favorite episodes of Timm's Justice Leagues series and just maybe you'll check them out to get ready for the Snyder/Whedon film.

JL: SEASON 1:  EPISODES 5 & 6:  THE ENEMY BELOW

Sure the series premiere 3-part was great as it introduced new characters not in the Batman and Superman cartoons like Hawkgirl, Wonder Woman, and Martain Manhunter, but these two episodes introduced us to Aquaman, and just how bad ass he can be.  At the end of the first episode his brother has betrayed him to lead Atlantis against the "surface dwellers" and his infant child is about to die next to him.

Aquaman cuts off his own hand to free himself to save his child, teams up with the League to stop his brother, and ends up with a spear for a hand like he had in the comics at the time.  This act of brutality was pretty raw for a show that was rated Y7 and let us know this series was not going to be all "fluff."  I wonder how long till Mamoa gets his spear-hand?

JL:  SEASON 2: EPISODES 1 & 2:  TWILIGHT

Superman: The Animated Series finale was about Darkseid brainwashing Superman to lead his armies against Earth and losing the people's trust in the man of steel.  So when Darkseid shows up at the Watchtower wanting the League's help because Brainiac is attacking Apokolips, Clark tells him to shove it.  But of course, they fly off to battle, Darkseid betrays them, and Batman has to pull Superman off of Darkseid before the walls cave in on them.  Part 2 ends with Clark in Batman's face saying "You know something, Bruce?  You're not always right."

These episodes helped us see a different side of the big blue boy scout and also introduces us to the New Gods.  We meet Orion, High Father, and a fantastic world that I hope we see live-action in the near future.  Also, Superman burns through Darkseid's foot when he stomps on his face.

JL:  SEASON 2:  EPISODES 11 & 12:  A BETTER WORLD

The Justice League meet an alternative version of themselves.  They come from a reality where Lex Luthor has become president and killed the Flash.  Also, Superman kills Luthor.  The team is chained up while the Justice Lords try and bring peace to a reality not their own.  This episode is very important to set-up the series from here on.

JL:  SEASON 2:  EPISODES 24, 25, & 26:  STARCROSSED

In the season(series) finale the warriors of Hawkgirl's homeworld, Thanagra, come to Earth to invade, and Hawkgirl stands by her people, betraying her friends and possible love interest; Green Lantern.  The League must free themselves if they are to save Earth.

Episodes leading up to this one begin a romantic relationship for John and Shayera, which is felt when she chooses her people over the League.  This is also when the Leaguers finally reveal all their secret identities to each other in order to survive.  And we get a kiss from another possible romance in the series; Batman and Wonder Woman.

JLU: SEASON 1: EPISODE 2: FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING

On Superman's birthday, Diana and Bruce visit him at the Fortress of Solitude to find him in a hypnotic sleep where Kal-El is living out a life with his family on a Krypton that never blew up.  His friends must save Superman and defeat Mongul in the process.

Based on a famous Superman annual issue, this episode will pull at your heart strings and leave you crying.  It always does me.  Before Krypton begins to explode(in Clark's mind) he holds his son tight and says, "You are everything I ever wanted in a son.  This is everything I ever wanted in a life.......but I have to go now."  Kleenex please!

JLU: SEASON 1: EPISODE 6: FEARFUL SYMMETRY

Supergirl keeps having dreams about a life that isn't hers.  When Green Arrow and The Question help her get to the bottom of it she finds out that her friend, Professor Hamilton, cloned her while she was injured in the Superman:The Animated Series finale.  This helps set-up the best JLU episodes down the road.

JLU:  SEASON 1:  EPISODE 7:  THE GREATEST STORY NEVER TOLD

Booster Gold is an ex-jock from the future who goes back in time (and uses future tech) to become a  hero in the present.  This is the funniest episode in the series as Booster is "crowd control" while the rest of Leaguers deal with big problems.  Think of it like Buffy the Vampire Slayer's "Zeppo" episode.  Oh and "thanks Green Lantern."

JLU:  SEASON 2; EPISODE 1:  THE CAT AND THE CANARY

Green Arrow has been flirting with Black Canary for a while now, but it's his infatuation with her that lands them both in trouble as they try to get her mentor, Wildcat, out of a MetaBrawl.

JLU:  SEASON 2: EPISODE 7: CLASH

If you're curious about WB's upcoming Shazam film then watch this episode.  We are introduced to Billy Batson and his alter-ego; Shazam.  We also find out that Shazam can go toe-to-toe with Superman as Luthor plays them against each other in a brawl that destroys lots of buildings.  This, again, sets up what is to come.

JLU: SEASON 2:  EPISODES 9-12:  QUESTION AUTHORITY, FLASHPOINT, PANIC IN THE SKY, AND DIVIDED WE FALL

This is where it all comes together!  Cadmus and Luthor begin their plan to take down the Justice League.  They blame them for a civilian attack, have their super army invade the Watchtower, and Luthor merges with Brainiac to take on the original JL members and possibly start them on the road to becoming the Justice Lords.  

Some of the best episodes of TV ever!  Superhero entertainment doesn't get better than this!  Watch all those leading up to it and enjoy the awesomeness!

JLU:  SEASON 2: EPISODE 13:  EPILOGUE

To be honest, compared to the previous four episodes the 3rd season of this series doesn't even hold a candle to it, but this season finale is a glass of cold milk after the delicious cake you just ate.  Incorporating Batman Beyond, Terry finds out his whole life was a plot by Amanda Waller to ensure there would always be a Batman, and tells him a story of how the Dark Knight is one of a kind.

If I were to make a Batman Beyond live-action trilogy I would start with the origin episodes, the Return of the Joker animated movie, and then this episode.  Watch them and then tell me how right I am.  

5 Things I Want To See in 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'

Yes, I know.  It's been a LOOOOOOOOONG time since I have written an actual blog on Blogger.  I hopped on the podcast bandwagon and have been riding that engine ever since.  But I felt like a topic such as this one deserved my special touch.  So, I guess that means that from time to time you still may see me write an actual blog.  But don't hold your breath on it.

I am only a few hours away from watching a film most fanboys have wait years, if not their whole lives, to see.  Anyone who knows me, or heard me talk about Man of Steel, knows I had some major issues with it.  Though none of them had to do with their pick of Henry Cavill as Superman.  It's Zach Snyder's style I thought ruined the film, and ever since I heard he was not only continuing with Batman v Superman, but Justice League as well, I've been afraid of the entire DC Cinematic Universe expansion.  I loved the casting of Ben Affleck and Jeremy Irons as Batman and Alfred.  I hated the casting of Jesse Eisenberg and Gal Gadot as Lex Luthor and Wonder Woman.  I want to like this movie.  I'm trying my best to walk into it with hope and an open mind.  But even today, as I see bad headlines online, I am preparing for the worst.

While not a fan of the previous film it was not without merit.  Like I said, I liked Henry Cavill as Clark Kent, I liked Amy Adams and Laurence Fishburne as Lois Lane and Perry White.  And I loved the visual effects.  Seeing Superman and Zod fight, while very unnecessary, was cool to watch.  So in order to correct this ship that Man of Steel has launched I've thought of 5 things I'd like to see in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to get me on board with the DCCU moving forward.

1)  Superman must feel bad about killing Zod

I get that Superman kills every once and a while.  I've read enough comics to know he avoids it at all costs, but sometimes, it happens.  My main gripe with him snapping Zod's neck in MoS was tat it was the first Superman film of the reboot.  The audience didn't even get one film to establish his rule on not killing.  In Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy the first two entire films established that Batman went out of his way not to kill because it separates him from his enemies.  Is Snyder and writer David Goyer saying Superman has no quarrel with it?

I want Clark to draw the line in this film.  I want him to have thought about his actions and realized that Zod is the last life he'll ever take.  Jor-El sent Kal-El to Earth to "give the people of Earth an ideal to strive towards".  Right now, Clark is down in the mud with the rest of us.  That isn't Superman.  Like Captain America, he is supposed to show us that the right thing to do is usually the hardest choice.

2)  Keep Doomsday's screen time minimal

When I saw that Lex was going to turn Zod's corpse into the villain known as Doomsday I was horrified.  And not by Doomsday's appearance.  It was that they took this iconic, powerful, villain and put him in the 2nd film of this cinematic universe.  Marvel has been teasing Thanos for 6 films!  In the comics, Doomsday took out the entire Justice League before killing Superman.  Now, it appears that a rookie Superman and Wonder Woman, along with Batman, can handle this force of nature.  Um.....no.  

However, if Doomsday shows up at the end of this film, and the Trinity realizes they can't take down this beast alone, so then they form the Justice League to help them.  I'd be on board with that.  If you're going to waste a good villain like Zod in the first Superman film, and then double tap that bad decision by turning him into Doomsday, at least make it worth our while. 

    

3)  Show me Darkseid

We've all seen the parademons and the Omega symbol in the Batman v Superman trailer.  So we can all guess that Darkseid will be the big bad guy in the Justice League film.  In the mid-credit scene for The Avengers we got our first glimpse of Thanos and had non-comic readers saying, "Isn't that Red Skull?"  I want a tease like that.  I've seen parademons; show me the big guy.  Show me the ultimate galactic villain that Warner Bros and DC thought it would be ok to have in the 5th film of their cinematic universe(Marvel is at 13 and still not fought Thanos).  I just wanna know what he looks like.  I figure the Justice League film will loosely be based on Geoff Johns New 52 storyline; Origin.  Or if you want to check out the animated film, Justice League: War to get an idea what the live-action film may be like, it's also based in Origin. 

4)  Lois supporting Clark

In several storylines we see that Lois is Superman's anchor to humanity.  I will also give some credit to Ma and Pa Kent.  Clark is a being who is so powerful he can take over the world; possibly the galaxy.  But his human emotions, like love, are what keep him humble.  Without them, he'd really think he was a god.  Governments and vigilantes are coming after Clark for the destruction of Metropolis.  He will feel ashamed.  He will feel like his mission is not worth it.  Lois has to be there to support him.  To know that world needs someone like him to give them hope.  And Lois needs to be there for him so that he doesn't have to be "Superman" all the time.  I love that Lois knows who Clark is right from that start.  So let's not waste it.

5)  Don't screw up Wonder Woman!!!!!

Ben Affleck has proven himself in recent years to be not only an accomplished actor, but a great film maker as well.  I have no worries that he will make a good Batman.  But giving the most iconic female superhero character in history to a model who is trying to start an acting career?  What were they thinking!!!!!  

Granted, I have been trying to hold off judgement on Gal Gadot until I see the film, but I have been VERY scared of this casting choice since the beginning.  The only thing I've seen Gadot in is the Fast & Furious films and I was not impressed at all.  Rumor has it WW isn't in the film enough to make or break it, but with her own solo film coming out next year I feel like the entire female superhero film sub-genre is on Gal Gadot's shoulders.  And those shoulders look like they can barely lift a lasso.

'Throne of Atlantis' Rises to the Top of DC Animation

Aquaman. Growing up loving the water I had an affinity for the superhero who seemed to be the butt of all jokes.  But in 2010 writer Geoff Johns brought the character back to life in Brightest Day, and made sure he'd never be anybodies joke again. 

DC Animated recently has been outshining their live-action films to me.  I thought Man of Steel and Green Lantern were a mess, but The Flashpoint Paradox and Son of Batman were good films.  Justice League: Throne of Atlantis is based on a Geoff Johns comic story and is a sequel to the DC animated film, Justice League: War.  I wasn't a fan of War, but this movie was based on a favorite storyline of mine.  Plus the voice talent seemed much better than War so I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt.  

Arthur Curry has just buried his father.  He never knew his mother, and his birthright is about to try and kill him.  Arthur finds out he is the heir to the lost underwater city of Atlantis, but his younger brother, Orm, is secretly taking the throne for himself and wants to start a war with the surface world.  To stop his brother Arthur must embrace is destiny and team up with the newly former Justice League to divert all-out war.

First off, let me just say that I was disappointed Aquaman did not appear in Justice League: War like in the original source material and was replaced by Shazam.  But I'm glad he is front and center for this animated sequel.  Star Wars: The Clone Wars alumni Matt Lanter and Sam Witwer lead this voice cast as Aquaman and Orm.  Rosario Dawson has replaced Michelle Monaghan as Wonder Woman; which I thought was a great change.  Sean Astin is back as Shazam and Jason O'Mara is starting to grow on me as his third time voicing Batman.  However, the best voice change is the return of THEE Green Lantern, Nathan Fillion, as Hal Jordan. 

One thing I've loved about the recent DC animated movies is that they aren't kids movies.  The stories are rich and deep with a lot of emotional stuff happening.  In this film alone bodies are cut in half, heads are severed, and the word 'shit' is used.  I'm not saying these gratuitous things make the film better, but it makes the movie more credible if you don't try to censor the actual violence these heroes witness and dish out.  

I thought adding in Aquaman's origin to this storyline would make it too crowded, but it was blended nicely.  Some fan boys yell blasphemy if you stray from the source material, but I feel as though as long as it serves the movie, and doesn't change the characters core, I'm fine with it.  Maybe it's my affection for Aquaman that made me like this film so much but I think this will end up being one of my Top 5 DC animated films.  My only jeer is that the last five minutes seemed a bit rushed, almost forced, but the other hour and seven minutes more than make up for it.

RATING:  A-  

Man of Steel v Arrow: Dawn of the 2 Justice Leagues

It was a typical Thursday night back in January 2007.  My friends and I had purchased some beer and pizza and were about to watch the newest episode of Smallville before heading out to our usual bar for some karoke.  On that Thursday night we were a little more excited that usual to watch Smallville. In this episode Clark was teaming up with Green Arrow, Impulse(Flash), Aquaman, and Cyborg in an episode called 'Justice'.  After twenty years of reading superhero comic books it was the first live-action Justice League I had ever seen.  I still haven't seen the TV movie done years ago, and I plan to keep it that way.  Skip ahead to present day. We are about to get two different Justice League teams within the next five years.  One on the small screen, and one on the big screen. But which one will be better?

 In it's second season, Arrow introduced Barry Allen, and even showed him being struck by lightening.  The show has already featured Black Canary and will bring in Ray Palmer, the future Atom, and Arsenal in season three.  Meanwhile, Barry is about to zoom over to his own Flash series and Firestorm is set to make an appearance.  This will make six Justice League members in The CW television universe that started on Arrow.  It was also announced that Arrow and The Flash co-creator, Greg Berlanti, is pitching a Supergirl series next.

 Over on the Warner Bros set another DC Comics team is slowly being assembled.  In 2016 the world will see Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice that will feature Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Victor Stone(Cyborg), and a rumored Aquaman.  Man of Steel director, Zach Snyder, is directing this film, and has already said he's directing a Justice League film that has not gotten a release date yet.  Most speculate though that the release of Justice League will not be too far off from Batman v Superman.

 WB and DC executives have already said that the television and film worlds will not connect like Marvel Studios is doing.  This means eventually audiences may have two Flashes, or two Barry Allen's, at the same time that have nothing to do with each other.  I bring up the Scarlet Speedster as an example because he is one of the dominant Justice League members just behind the Trinity, but with his own TV series about to debut, and hopefully be a hit, will he be featured in Snyder's upcoming film?  The smart thing would be to have another Flash besides Barry(such as Wally) in the film.  But so far evidence supports that Snyder and WB aren't that smart.  Besides the Flash, most of the other Arrow heroes are B to C stringers(love it) which wouldn't come to a fan boys mind when you name off their top five or seven key Justice League members. But given that Cyborg wasn't an official JL member till just a few years ago he wouldn't be on my A-team either. 

 What about Green Lantern?  The Ryan Reynolds film failed to start the DC Cinematic Universe so WB jumped off with Man of Steel.  But he's also another A-lister.  Do you just skip GL or replace him with another member of the Corps and give the Hal Jordan stench more time to dry out? By the time these questions in DC's film universe will be answered I feel like The CW will have already had their own Justice League multi-series crossover event.

I can't hide my opinion that I am way more excited for what is happening on my TV than at my local cinema.  As a big Superman fan I had quite a few issues with Man of Steel, Zach Snyder, and the vision of the DC Cinematic Universe so far.  Arrow creators are crafting a long narrative by getting to know the characters quite well. Meanwhile, Snyder and his film makers are just rushing to catch-up with Marvel Studios. 

I feel like WB still doesn't get why they've fallen behind in this comic book movie race.  The strength of the Marvel Media Universe is that everything is connected!  Bruce Banner can pop-up at the end of Iron Man 3, or Lady Sif can appear on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. It's all a pay-off for someone who follows it all.  I don't watch Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. However, if I did I would have enjoyed Captain America: The Winter Soldier that much more because of the tie-in and vice versa.  But I didn't have to catch the television series, or any other Marvel franchise movie, to enjoy Cap 2.  So why would I pay $12 to see another Flash when I already love the one I get for free on my TV? Minus the better special effects I'm sure it would only disappoint. Basically I'm saying what Marvel has done is brilliant.

 My hope is that Warner Bros has already answered all the questions I have posed in this article and I'm just going to eat my words later.  And while I am excited for comic book properties kicking ass in every medium, and seeing another a live-action Justice League back on my screens, I continue to be disappointed how Warner Bros is handling these modern day Gods in film.They are trying so hard to be different from Marvel that they are being different; they're sucking.  So for now, I'm with Team Arrow.

DC's Potential Cinematic Disaster

A few weeks ago a rumor was leaked online as to the release dates of Warner Bros/DC Comics cinematic universe.  This is just speculation for now, though this was suppose be announced at next month's San Diego Comic Con.  In any event, this rumor has sent geeks everywhere in an uproar.  Every fan boy has their opinion about this news, and this fan boy is no different.

Marvel Studios has been kicking DC's ass in the movie making competition with each film getting better and better.  Meanwhile, DC has only mustered up Man of Steel after Green Lantern wasn't good enough to kick-start to their DC cinematic universe.  If this announcement is real then Warner Bros wants to pump out seven films in almost three years.  Marvel Studios has been putting out two films a year, adding to the Spider-Man and X-Men films Fox and Sony are putting out sporadically.  This whole schedule seems like Warner Bros is trying to overcompensate for them running behind in the race.  But not only is this rushed, but also, bad ideas!  Here's why:

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (May 2016)

Anyone who knows me knows I have serious issues with Man of Steel.  However, I do believe it does have some redeeming qualities that could carry over well to a sequel.  But of course we will never know, at least not for a while, because this is not the MoS sequel we thought we were getting.

When Ben Affleck was added as Batman we thought he would just make a decent cameo, but felt the focus was still going to be on the Last Son of Krypton.  Then Gal Gabot was cast as Wonder Woman, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, and Jason Momoa as Aquaman; allegedly.  This whole film started to sound like just a set-up for a Justice League movie.  Then the title came out.  Dawn of Justice confirms it is just a set-up for a Justice League movie and that it's officially not a MoS sequel.

This disturbs me.  Warner Bros couldn't go two films without their cash-cowing Dark Knight, and to me that says that they have no faith in any other DC property; no even Superman.  But the problem isn't the characters, it's who's behind the properties.  But I'll get to that.

Shazam (July 2016)

Out of all the rumored upcoming DC movies this is the one I have the most faith in.  Shazam is better known as Captain Marvel.  Little Billy Batson gains the powers of a god by saying "shazam" and becoming a superhero who rivals even Superman.  I think this film will work because it's a little boy who becomes a superhero.  What kid won't want to see this film?  However, Shazam can not be another sad and destructive Man of Steel.  For this film to work it has to be more Hook and less Passion of the Christ.  This is a story of a kid and it needs to target kids for it to work.  Any Disney executive knows if you make a kid movie then you get twice the ticket money because the parent has to take the kids to see the movie!

The ol' Zach Snyder style won't get it done on this one.  But with Warner's faith in the Goyer/Snyder duo I'm a little worried.  However, I'll hold off judgement until I see who they'll get to direct.  I'd just better not see Quentin Tarantino's name on the short list.

The Sandman (Christmas 2016)

The only thing known about this film so far is that Joseph-Gordon Levitt is set to star.  I'm not too familiar with this DC/Veritgo property except that I know it's the farthest thing from a Justice League tie-in.  It has to do with dreams, reality, and a lot of other trippy things that will be a nice break from the superheroes Warner Bros will be ramming down our throats for the next few years.

Justice League (May 2017)

It took Marvel Studios five films and four years to get to The Avengers.  Warner Bros is looking to get to Justice League with two films in four years.  This is a HUGE mistake!  No disrespect to Black Widow and Hawkeye but the Justice League has much better characters than just Batman and Superman.  You can't introduced Green Lantern, Flash, and Aquaman in a team film.  They all have complex and deep origin stories that deserve their own film first.  Granted, Hal Jordan has had his own film, but we all know Ryan Reynolds has about as much to do with Justice League as Eric Bana has to do with The Avengers.  Without knowing their origins this film will fall apart; especially since we know the film will just be about Batman and Superman. Well, just about Batman anyway.

Wonder Woman (July 2017)

I love Gal Gadot.  I loved her when she starred in....ummm.  Then she was great when she won an award for....ummmm.  Well, she had more than ten lines in....ummm.  The point I'm trying to make is that Gadot hasn't proven herself as an actress in ANYTHING.  The only thing I've seen her in is the Fast and Furious films and even then I was unimpressed.  Wonder Woman is one of the most iconic female characters in fiction history.  Her portrayal on screen has to be iconic.

Gal Gadot has not shown me, and many others, that she is worthy of carrying the Wonder Woman mantle.  We have yet to see her play Diana in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.  Given Warner Bros rumored schedule a Wonder Woman movie will be already in the production when audiences first see Gadot appear in Dawn of Justice.  If she is bad then the Wonder Woman movie could be put on ice and not see the light of day for many, many years.  Plus I feel that it could possibly ruin the entire DC cinematic universe.

Now don't get me wrong.  I really want Gadot to be good.  I am rooting for her to be good.  But I have yet to see anything that would show me she'll be good.  I hate to say this, but the future of movies based on DC Comics(except Batman) may hang in the balance with Gadot and Wonder Woman.

 Flash and Green Lantern team-up (Christmas 2017)

As much as I've griped about the other possible film this one has me the most worried.  Now, these two characters do go together.  They even had their own comic book; The Brave and the Bold. Hal Jordan and Barry Allen are good friends, so it would make sense that they'd have their own buddy-cop movie.  But we don't know that we're getting Hal Jordan and Barry Allen.  Warner Bros is trying to wipe away any stink of Green Lantern, which may include not having Hal Jordan as GL, but maybe the popular John Stewart instead.  Meanwhile, Barry Allen is already going to be the Flash in an upcoming television show on The CW.  Do you think they're really going to have one Barry on TV and one on the big screen?  They might as well go with Wally West as the Flash.

If course in changing who will be the new GL and Scarlet Speedster you've changed the relationship.  John and Wally have nothing to do with each other except that they're both Justice League members. No matter what characters they choose these two heroes are way to important to not get their own film; regardless of who is in the costume.   

Man of Steel 2 (May 2018)

So after all the other films, and five years after the original MoS came out, they're finally going to get to a sequel?  I can't decide if I'm disappointed or kind of OK with that.  Man of Steel was a let-down for me so I'm in no rush to see a sequel.  However I'm also of the mind set that Superman should have gotten his due sequel before Justice League.  Iron Man, the character who started the Marvel cinematic universe, got two films in before The Avengers.  Why can't Superman?  I actually like Henry Cavill and am interested in seeing more of his performance as Clark Kent.

With Zach Snyder directing Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice AND Justice League I wonder if he'll come back to do the Man of Steel sequel?  I hope not. Snyder's vision was main part of what was wrong with Man of Steel in my opinion and after several recent comments writer David Goyer made about a certain Martian I'm not sure I want him writing for the Man of Tomorrow either; or any DC property.  As a long-time Superman reader I was worried from Snyder right out of the gate, and i feel like I was right.  Superman is about hope, and Man of Steel had none.  And as of right now I don't see any for this DC cinematic universe.
But don't get the wrong idea.  They'll still get my $10 with every film and a little voice inside me saying, "please be good, please be good, please be good."  I'm just surprised that a Batman film isn't in this slate.  But I'm sure we'll find out next month in San Diego when Warner Bros confirms or denies this potential cinematic disaster.

Casting Call: Justice League

Having been in theaters for three weeks now Man of Steel has made $500 million globally and in prime position to set up the DC movie universe.  Of course every fan boy is dying to see what happens with the Justice League movie.  The only thing we know for sure is that Henry Cavill will still be playing Superman in this JLA film, but all the other roles are up for grabs; even Batman since Christian Bale is done donning the cape and cowl. 

My idea for this film is to not go off the current Justice League team from DC’s New 52, but revert back to the Bruce Timm animated series.  Instead of Aquaman and Cyborg I would include Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl; for reasons I will state below.  Each one of these characters served a purpose in the animated series and I feel would serve a role in a Justice League movie.  I also thought there were several actors/actresses that could play each role, but I looked for younger thespians because they could potentially be doing six or more films.

HENRY CAVILL AS CLARK KENT/ SUPERMAN

From what I can speculate Cavill has signed on for multiple Superman films and probably multiple Justice League films.  Despite what I feel about Man of Steel as a movie I do like Cavill as the moral center, and heavy hitter, of the Justice League.  Now we just have to give him some morals because Zach Snyder seemed to miss that part of his origin story.

 RICHARD MADDEN AS BRUCE WAYNE/ BATMAN

Have you ever watched Game of Thrones?  This guy can brood with the best of them.  Yes, he is a British actor, but a good one at that.  GoT creators actually made more lines and scenes for Madden that weren't in the original source material just because he is so good.  And now that his character is dead I think he has some free time.  Madden has a commanding presence on camera that would be great for the Dark Knight in this film.  Superman is a Brit, why not have Batman be one too.

 JAIMIE ALEXANDER AS PRINCESS DIANA OF THEMYSCIRA/ WONDER WOMAN

This was the hardest part for me to cast.  Wonder woman is supposed to be 6 ft at least, but most women don’t come close to that.  But if Hugh Jackman(over 6 ft) can play Wolverine(who is supposed to be under 5’8) why can’t audiences accept it the other way around?  Alexander is only 5’9 but after I saw her play Lady Sif in Thor I knew she was the dark-haired bad ass that could bring Wonder Woman to the big screen.  Yes ,she is already in a Marvel franchise, but she may only be in one more Thor film and DC is just getting started.  Ryan Reynolds and Michael Duncan Clarke have played characters from the Marvel and DC universe as well so I think Alexander will be alright doing double duty.  The JLA film would be a great way to introduce Wonder Woman, but not give away her whole origin story till her own film.  Definitely a fish-out-of-water vibe though, who can kick ass!

 JUSTIN HARTLEY AS WALLY WEST/ THE FLASH

Hartley has played Aquaman and Green Arrow in his career so why not give him another JLA member to add to his resume.  In DC’s New 52, Barry Allen is the current Flash and it seems as though Wally West never existed if you started reading comics in 2010.  But I think Wally would be essential to this film.  If Man of Steel showed me anything it’s that this DC movie world is serious stuff.  After two hours Cavill barely cracked a smile so we need some comic relief for this film.  While Barry is a great Flash Wally was the funny one/prankster.  Some high level sh*t is going to probably be happening in this film and someone has to be there to break the tension.  Wally can just say that there were speedsters before him, but he’s the first to go public.  Hartley proved in Smallville that he has a charm about him that can make you hate what he just said but still like him at the same time, just like a young Wally West.

 COLUMBUS SHORT AS JOHN STEWART/ GREEN LANTERN

So why not Hal Jordan for this film?  Audiences already know Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, and that didn’t go so well at the box office.  Luckily for Warner Bros they can just assume a majority of their audience saw that film and know the GL universe and how it works.  John Stewart once took over as Green Lantern when Hal Jordan couldn’t do the job, and there is your loop hole right there!  And not to sound racist, but he does fill the racially-diverse role a Justice League movie would need.  Short has shown himself to be not only a good actor in films like The Losers and Stomp the Yard, but according to my wife he’s pretty easy on the eyes too.

 ZACHARY QUINTO AS J’ONN J’ONZZ/ MARTIAN MANHUNTER

For me this role is all about the voice.  Whomever plays J'onn will be covered in green make-up, or probably just CGI'd like the Hulk.  So the voice has to be right.  Star Trek and Heroes star has a gentle tone about him that I think would go great coming out of such a powerfully under-rated character.  In the Bruce Timm animated pilot J’onn comes to Earth to stop the same alien invasion that left him as the last remaining Martian in the universe.  He and Superman can share that bond, and the alien invasion sets-up the premise of the film; Win/Win.

 ADRIANNE PALACKI AS SHAYERA HOL/ HAWKGIRL

The biggest complaint I’ve heard about The Avengers, as if there should be any, is the lack of female characters. Sure you have Agent Hill played by Cobie Smulders, but the only actual female on the team was The Black Widow.  I think adding another girl to the Justice League film will give it a bigger female audience, especially if she’s played by Palacki.  Best known for her roles on Friday Night Lights and G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Palacki also starred in a pilot for a Wonder Woman TV series in 2011 that never got picked-up.  Her height of 5’11 almost made me consider her for that role again for this film, but I think she’d make a much better Hawkgirl.  Shayera is also an alien who can’t seem to find her way home and is stuck on Earth.  In the animated series she has a bumpy relationship with John Stewart and she is torn between duty, destiny, and her role on the Justice League with her friends.   So there is lots of character development to work with there. 

 Ok, bring in Michael Bay and let’s get this movie rolling.  I can have an outline done in 3 days, just someone send me a check!

Why I Think the Justice League Movie Won't Work

Last weekend the highly anticipated Man of Steel was released in theaters and it has now surpassed the $200 million dollar mark.  I think Warner Bros. still spent more money than that upon making the film, but with it still being released in other countries I'm sure they'll get their money back. The studio was so pleased with the opening weekend numbers they've already planned a sequel to be released as early as next year.  Then a Justice League movie is set to be released as early as 2015.

Man of Steel seems to have done what Warner Bros. wanted it to, which was jump start the DC movie universe much like Iron Man jump started the Marvel movie universe.  DC was supposed to get their start with Green Lantern, but after it supposedly "bombed" at the box office Warner Bros. had to re-evaluate what they were doing with their DC properties because Marvel was already six films ahead of them. The Avengers set box office records and made $1.5 billion world wide. The only thing that was working for Warner Bros. was their Batman movies, and that was because of writer David Goyer and director Christopher Nolan.  After the success of the Dark Knight trilogy Warner Bros. decided to give these men a shot at Superman, and now it seems the entire DC franchise.  So can Warner Bros. catch up to Marvel and make their films as popular, and profitable, as The Avengers?  I'm gonna answer that question as gently as I can; NNNOOOOOOOO!

For years the rights to making Marvel films were owned by 20th Century Fox studios.  They made Spider-Man films, X-Men films, Daredevil, The Punisher, etc. Spider-Man and X-Men have done well and Fox continues to drain blood from those hollow stones(thank god for Sam Raimi and Bryan Singer).  After making their cut of the money Marvel decided to form their own studio and use the characters they still had the rights to for their movies.  Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America films all went on to do great at the box office, which lead to The Avengers.  Marvel Studios achieved something no other studio thought could ever happen and every comic geek dreamed would happen; they made movies like they make comic books. The films all interacted with each other and fed off one another for the next installment. 20th Century Fox lost the rights to Daredevil and Punisher, which Marvel Studios gladly claimed, but still owns the Spider-Man and X-Men movie rights so long as a film is made every couple of years.  

So what's this got to do with the Justice League movie?  Warner Bros.is a movie studio who owns all of the DC character movie rights, and just like 20th Century Fox, they don't have the talent to bring out what is great in their characters.  Did you see Superman kill General Zod?  I mean, I used to give David Goyer some credit as a good writer and fan boy, but no person who read Superman, and loves the character, would write that scene and think it was a good idea; at least not in the origin film.  Warner Bros. and crew said they want to make their universe more realistic?  Batman is a mortal man but Superman is an alien who looks human, flies, and shoots heat from his eyes; and you want something that's realistic?  Their excuse for Man of Steel is to make the character more modern.  Guess what Warner Bros.? The character worked for ten years on TV starting in 2001, it was called Smallville, watch it and get back to me.

Warner Bros. executives probably haven't read a comic book (if they ever did) since they were kids.  Comic books are fun and exciting to read. Their were barely any jokes or even smiles in Man of Steel. Just two hours of CGI fights(which were well done) and a bunch of talk about a Codex.  Marvel Studio films made money because they embraced their comic book roots.  The films had explosions as well as laughs.  They're fun to watch!  Man of Steel was just depressing and this what they want to try and build a billion dollar franchise off of?  Marvel Studios has actual Marvel comic book writers in their meetings advising them about what works for the character, what would this character act like, and what would they do when their back is against the wall.  Yes, they have taken some liberties, but we fan boys forgive and look past them because the core of the hero(es) is still intact. Joss Whedon said he has read every Avengers comic made.  Even though I feel like that may be bullshit I'm still curious; how many Superman comics has Zach Snyder read?

I think everyone knew from the get-go that Warner Bros. was going to fight an uphill battle after The Avengers did so well, and we all knew they couldn't follow the exact same formula, but wanted the same result.  I like to think of them as Coca-Cola and Pepsi.  Anyway, so they're going to try and make a Justice League movie first.  That film will introduce Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, and maybe a new Green Lantern and Batman.  Then of course they will each have their own film; presumably.  Pretty much a reverse Marvel formula.  But unless they get the right people behind these films it won't work.  The director of Thor was known for his Shakespearean films like Henry V and Hamlet.  The director of Captain America: The First Avenger was known for making vintage films like October Sky and The Rocketeer.  Snyder was known for making stylistic, serious, films that are a little too violent and edgy.  Does that sound like Superman to you, or Flash, or Aquaman?  Baskin Robbins doesn't have 31 flavors that all taste like their best seller do they?  I'm just saying Warner Bros. is trying to make everything feel like Batman because that's what has been working for them.  But these characters have been around for decades because each character has their own fan base of flavor, and Warner Bros. has to find out what each character's taste is and why it works.

I really want to see a Justice League movie; I really do.  But the direction and speed Warner Bros. is taking the DC properties are going to lead the Justice League to a train wreck.  Man of Steel couldn't even hold down the #1 spot in theaters for one week.  There's your blinking yellow light.  I'm going to go get some ice cream now.

(found this fan art online an loved it! Notice how Cobie Smulders is in both of these pictures)