The first season of
Watchmen came to an end last night, and it's fair to say that Damon Lindelof definitely delivered. We'll have more on that for you later, but with fans already speculating about which other comic book properties he could take charge of, the showrunner has shared some very interesting thoughts on what a movie version of
The Dark Knight Returns would look like.
However, just as he didn't deliver a direct adaptation of
Watchmen, one thing Lindelof wouldn't do is bring this classic comic book tale by Frank Miller to the big screen without any changes.
"The reason that I don’t have any interest in it is because that would be a straight-up adaptation," he explains. "Where you’re taking something Frank Miller already wrote and illustrated and is perfect. Basically, you’re bringing it to life. Obviously, Superman is going to be in it if you’re doing Dark Knight straight up. All you’re basically doing is adapting something."
"What made Dark Knight so amazing and revolutionary was that it was so original and groundbreaking. So, it’s like taking the dance instructions where the painted feet are there on the ground. You just have to hit the right steps. I would just be terrified of messing it up. More importantly, I want to freestyle. I’m not the guy for that."
So, while he's clearly not the right person for a 100% faithful take on The Dark Knight Returns, Lindelof does have an amazing idea when it comes to how he'd handle Batman and Superman.
"I think it would be really interesting to wait for somebody like, you know, Michael Keaton, who has already done Batman, or a Christian Bale 25 years from now and then do Dark Knight with them. So, it’s someone who we actually saw play a younger version of Batman. That would be rad."
It would indeed! Whether it's something that would ever happen is another matter, of course!
For a ranking of the 40 best members of the Justice
League, simply click on the "View List" button below.
40. Stargirl
Recruited to be the face of the government-sanctioned Justice League of America, Stargirl quickly proved to her teammates that she was a real hero and worthy of carrying Starman's legacy.
39. Hawkgirl
We've seen a number of different versions of this character over the years and while many of them have been part of the League, most fans know her best from the
Justice League Unlimited series.
38. Catwoman
Selina Kyle had a very brief stint as a member of the Justice League of America after being hired by Amanda Waller and A.R.G.U.S. and she did well as a counterpoint to the Dark Knight.
37. Power Ring
A fairly new addition to the Justice League, Jessica Cruz was cursed with a ring from an alternate Earth which feeds on her fear. With some help from her fellow heroes, she's battled to overcome that.
36. John Constantine
John Constantine is happiest when he's working alone but when the stakes are high enough, the smoking Englishman never hesitates to join up with the rest of the Justice League Dark.
35. Huntress
The latest iteration of this character is the daughter of Batman and Catwoman from an alternate Earth but regardless of which version we're talking about, she's often been key to this team.
34. Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)
An argument could be made that Guy Gardner is the least popular human member of the Green Lantern Corps but it's always been fun watching him come to blows with longtime rival Batman!
33. Mr. Miracle
Brought up on Apokolips and surrounded by horrors thanks to his adoptive father Darkseid, Mr. Miracle ultimately fled from his father and is now one of the greatest escape artists in the DC Universe.
32. Green Lantern (Simon Baz)
Mistakenly viewed as a terrorist, Simon Baz had to do more than most heroes to prove himself and while the team had some doubts at first, he's now a valued member of the Justice League.
31. Swamp-Thing
Alec Holland was a botanist transformed into Swamp-Thing after his death and he since worked to protect the world (and plant life) as one of the strongest members of the Justice League Dark.
30. Red Tornado
An android created by the supervillian T.O. Morrow to infiltrate the Justice Society of America, he soon saw the error of his ways and became an iconic and pivotal part of this iconic group.
29. Vibe
Vibe has an awesome set of powers which include jumping between dimensions and being able to blast enemies off their feet with vibrational waves so you can see why he was recruited to the JLA!
28. Orion
The son of Darkseid was given away as a child and that meant he grew up to become a hero as New Genesis' greatest defender. If it means taking down his father, Orion will always help the League.
27. Dr. Fate
The "Sorcerer Supreme" of the DC Universe, we've seen him working alongside both the JSA and JLA over the years. He was a staple of the team in the 80s and 90s and has helped them a lot since too.
26. Vixen
Vixen has served as both a member of the Justice League and Suicide Squad and her abilities allow her to wield the powers of any animal that has walked or evolved on Earth through the Tantu totem.
25. Lex Luthor
The fact he spent so many years trying to destroy the League means that Lex Luthor simply can't rank higher because while he did some good, that didn't last and he blackmailed his way on to the team!
24. The Atom
Another hero who multiple characters have held the mantle of over the years, Ray Palmer is by far the most popular and didn't hesitate to join the Justice League when the team came calling.
23. Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner)
After the fall of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps, Kyle Rayner was chosen to protect Earth and while his role within the League was limited, he never once let the team down.
22. Firestorm
A number of different heroes have combined to make Firestorm over the years and this walking nuclear reactor has consistently proven that his powers make him damn near unstoppable.
21. Zatanna
Zatanna may actually be part of the Justice League Dark team but she first served in the Justice League of America and her powerful spells mean she's capable of taking down even Superman!
20. Supergirl
Superman's cousin crashed to Earth as a teenager and various iterations of the character have all played some sort of role within the League at various points since her introduction.
19. Batgirl
An honorary member of the League, Barbara Gordon may not have accompanied the team on too many adventures but it was as Oracle that she was perhaps one of their greatest allies.
18. Phantom Stranger
The Phantom Stranger only tends to appear when events of great magnitudes necessitate his direct involvement but that's led to him working alongside the League on a number of occasions.
17. Elongated Man
Not to be mistaken with another stretchy superhero on this list, the Elongated Man is a top-notch Private Eye who has been right there alongside the League to face some of their greatest threats.
16. Blue Beetle
He may have a reputation as something of a prankster but Ted Kord's scientific genius means he's single-handedly saved the day on more than one occasion and has proved himself to be invaluable.
15. Booster Gold
Arriving in the 21st Century to become the hero he never was in his own time, Booster Gold has a cocky attitude but has proven himself a valuable asset to the team more than once.
14. Plastic Man
You probably think we're joking but despite his daft appearance and wacky powers, this reformed criminal has been a valuable member of the League and is more powerful than he lets on.
13. Cyborg
Victor Stone was once a member of the Teen Titans but The New 52 changed that and he's since become a key part of this team as they're in desperate need of his firepower and technical know how.
12. Shazam
The young Billy Batson only needs to utter a single word to become Shazam and while he may be immature, his magical powers mean he's strong enough to take down even the Man of Steel.
11. Green Lantern (John Stewart)
The man who held the Green Lantern mantle in the Justice League Unlimited animated series has resulted in him being considered THE Green Lantern in the eyes of many comic book fans.
10. Green Arrow
Oliver Queen may have been snubbed by the Justice League when he attempted to join their ranks in "The New 52" but the Emerald Archer has previously been a much-needed member of the team.
9. Hawkman
The Savage Hawkman is infused with the mysterious Nth Metal and he's granted flight, strength and a living armour as a result. With a formidable set of powers, he often helps turn the tide in battle.
8. The Flash (Wally West)
Barry Allen may be considered
The Flash but Wally West held the mantle for decades. With his best friend dead, he stepped up to become the new Fastest Man Alive and never let the team down.
7. Aquaman
Despite being considered a joke for years thanks to mainstream media, a much-needed makeover helped change that perception and he's now viewed as on of the DC Universe's biggest badasses.
6. Martian Manhunter
The last surviving Martian, J'onn J'onzz's fight with the League at the start of "The New 52" meant he's only recently joined the team but he's been a faithful ally to them throughout DC history.
5. Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
While it's fair to say that Green Lantern will never get along with Batman, that's never stopped him from using his immeasurable willpower to protect his teammates and our planet.
4. The Flash (Barry Allen)
The Scarlet Speedster is never one to shy away from racing into action and there's a good reason why he's such a beloved and respected member of the team, not to mention its fastest.
3. Wonder Woman
Diana Prince is arguably the heart of the Justice League not to mention one of the team's bravest and most powerful members. Simply put, the League wouldn't be the same without her.
2. Batman
Batman doesn't have the same amazing abilities as his superpowered teammates but he compensates for that with an impressive array of weapons, vehicles, and unparalleled fighting skills.
1. Superman
The most powerful hero in the DC Universe could tackle pretty much any threat by himself but it says a lot about him that he doesn't mind turning to his teammates - and friends - for help saving the world.