How I would do “Justice League.” (Part I)

How I would do “Justice League.” (Part I)

Kudos to DC/WB for finally finding it's manhood and deciding to go forward on a Justice League Movie project! But TREAD LIGHTLY!! One misstep may be impossible to recover from! Here are some suggestions from a humble DC fan.

Editorial Opinion
By BlackLanternJake - Jul 06, 2012 10:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Fan Fic

Last year, after the crash-and-burn of Green Lantern, I lamented very publicly that DC’s foray into superhero films aside from that of Superman and Batman was officially over. I was certain that the only lesson WB would take away from GL was that it would be better simply to play it “safe” and not rock the boat. That we were doomed to endless replays of Superman and Batman over and over and over again until I finally snapped and walked into WB headquarters with a shotgun and a bomb strapped to my chest. I surmised that DC and WB were somehow “satisfied” in playing second-fiddle at the box office to Marvel Studios and Sony/Disney. After all, nothing saves one’s bacon quite like the words: WE SURRENDER!!!

As convinced as I was that DC/WB had pulled its pants down, lubed up, and stood akimbo to better facilitate Marvel/Disney/Sony screwing it into the ground roughly, I watched “The Avengers” this past May with a certain amount of glumness.

Oh, and incidentally, I was struck with AWE at how utterly fantastic the movie was! How it neatly tied together all the individual superhero movies that built up to it; how each and every hero in the movie got a chance to shine in battle; how well the story flowed from one plot point to the next like… Just like “that river” twists across the dusty land (Duran-Duran reference). And when it shined, it really showed you all it can. (Okay, I’m done. Really.)

Truly, I was blown away by “Avengers.” I can’t think of a single human being who saw that movie who wasn’t. If ever there was a “perfect” Action Movie produced, “The Avengers” fits that description. From a stand-alone aspect, it rates up there with Terminator 2, Predator, and The Dark Knight! It was also, in my own opinion, the last nail pounded into the coffin of DC. There was no way DC/WB would have the GUTS to try to equal this feat pulled off by Marvel Studios. I was convinced of this.

But then, just last week, out of nowhere, I return here to Comicbookmovie.com to read up on some “Amazing Spiderman” opinions… WHEN WHAT, TO MY WONDERING EYES, SHOULD APPEAR?!!?

AN ARTICLE ABOUT HOW DC/WB WATCHED THE SUCCESS OF THE AVENGERS AND DECIDED TO MAKE THEIR OWN SUPERHERO TEAM-UP EPIC TO RIVAL MARVEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (there aren’t enough exclamation points in the entire world to underline my excitement here, so we’ll just leave it at thirty-five.)

Some knee-jerk reactions elicited from this wonderful news:

A) BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, YOU JERKS!!!!!

B) Hey! Look! DC/WB found its manhood!!

And finally;

C) Dear God! I hope they take their time to hash out a coherent story progression and get all the right Directors/Producers working on this project! (As an honest aside, I’m not terribly confident that DC/WB can manage this one based on past performances, BUT there’s always hope.)

Alright, now that the initial gut reactions are out of the way, time to really break this stuff down.

First of all, I am SO GLAD that I was wrong in my assumption that DC/WB was simply going to play it safe and let Marvel/Disney/Sony take over the movie-making business. It seems that, rather than be actively discouraged by the success of “The Avengers” project, DC/WB was INSPIRED! As well it should be. “Avengers” showed everyone the correct formula for selling Superheroes on the big screen: by weaving a storyline so intricate it had to be built up over the course of five films before coming to fruition in a “super-film” that combines all of the previous work. DC/WB, take notes! THAT’S how you do it! Now take that formula, add your own elements, and create what you were always meant to create!

Let me give you a little help with that.

Take what has already been produced so far this decade and begin weaving your story from there. What do we have so far?

Batman Begins/The Dark Knight/The Dark Knight Rises/Superman: Man of Steel/Green Lantern.

Okay, that’s a solid base. You have three of the biggest protagonists in the DC Universe established. That’s half the foundation of the Justice League right there.

Now follow it up. Who, of the remaining members of the JLA, deserve their own titles? The answer is simple. There are three: Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and The Flash.

Additionally, who needs sequels? Well, you can probably put Batman to rest for the next few years. Christopher Nolan has spun a grand yarn with that character. Rebooting Batman would not only be futile (as I believe Batman cannot possibly be any better than what Nolan has given us), but it would generate the usual rolling of eyeballs from the movie-going crowd that has already been sparked by the “Amazing Spider Man” reboot. America, it would seem, is already growing tired of the “reboot” trend in Hollywood. Trust me, you DO NOT want to be the straw who broke the camel’s back! LEAVE BATMAN ALONE!!

Back on task. I don’t yet know enough about “Superman: Man of Steel” to really gauge whether or not it will need a sequel, but chances are, it will. Superman would also be the perfect platform from which to generate a villain worthy of a Justice League movie. Seeing as Superman always fights the biggest and the baddest of baddies. The pool of worthy adversaries is deep: Darkseid, Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, General Zodd, or Mongul (who doubles as a Green Lantern villain. See? Tie-ins already!), and that’s just off the top of my head.

Green Lantern NEEDS a sequel! For two reasons: (1) Because you can’t just leave audiences hanging after that little tease you put on at the end of the GL Credits with Sinestro putting on the Yellow Ring and showing us the ever-so-awesome “Sinestro Corps” uniform for the first time. And (2) because nothing short of a well thought out and executed sequel will do to wash the bad taste out of our mouths from the first movie! Green Lantern needs a sequel that will BLOW AWAY the original film and put the franchise back on track. Lesser movies have been salvaged before by great sequels. The list is short, but it CAN be done.

Additionally, The Flash and Wonder Woman will need sequels. Aquaman is good with only one movie. I recommend adding additional supporting cast in these supplemental movies in the same way Marvel did. Remember that Marvel introduced Black Widow in “Iron Man 2,” and introduced Hawkeye in “Thor.” Who would be worthy as supporting characters in a Justice League movie? I’m SO glad you asked (which you didn’t, but we’re pretending you asked)!

I have THREE supporting characters in mind that the Justice League “power cast” simply can’t thrive without:

1) Martian Manhunter-- This guy is the SOUL of the Justice League. Say what you want about the importance of Superman and Batman, they’re the bricks. But J’onn J’onnz is the MORTAR! Manhunter has very little individual appeal (hence why making a movie solely about him would be a potentially bad idea), but when he’s operating within the structure of the Justice League, he not only shines as a character, but he is indispensable to the team. He coordinates, he provides wisdom and leadership (even to Superman), and, in a pinch, he is a powerful reinforcement should the battle against the forces of evil go awry. Also, he shape shifts. He’s like Professor X and Mystique rolled into one… But not as sexy as Mystique.

2) Green Arrow-- You need this guy for comic relief. But also because he’s an “everyman” superhero character. Every superhero team needs an “everyman.” And yes, I know there’s Batman, but Batman fails as an “everyman” for two reasons. First, he’s filthy, bloody rich and only about 1% of Americans can ever hope to identify with that lifestyle. Secondly, though Batman has no superpowers, his money provides really a limitless supply of innovation and technology to help augment his crime-fighting power. Without Bruce Wayne’s riches, the Batmobile, the Utility Belt, even the distinctive costume, EVERYTHING is impossible and the Batman character is rendered unable to exist in his true form. Green Arrow is… just a guy with trick arrows and deadly aim who fights crime with really nothing more than his wits and his Wit. He’s a modern day Robin Hood (he even sports the Errol Flynn costume, God bless him, I would never have the guts to dress like that in public) robbing from the rich to feed the poor. In today’s political climate, he would be the perfect character to appeal to the crowd that struggles to find and keep jobs, who struggle to feed their families, and yes, who struggle to get to the movie theatre to pay for the ridiculous movie prices. He’s a Liberal, rich-hating character for an increasingly Liberal, rich-hating America. In other words: HE’S PERFECT as a supporting cast member.

(Besides, The Avengers had “Hawkeye.” You need to counter that with your own guy who can shoot trick arrows. You just have to. Trust me on this!)

3) Zatanna Zatara-- Wonder Woman can’t be the only woman on the team. If I had one “complaint” about “The Avengers,” it’s that they didn’t have another woman in tights with super abilities. “The Avengers” suffered from a dramatic lack of sex appeal! Where was Ms Marvel? Where was Mockingbird? WHERE WAS THE SCARLET WITCH?!!?
This is a chance for DC to provide a secondary female character to a dynamic superhero team. Not only that, but Zatanna provides one element that was sorely missing from “The Avengers.” Magic! Sure you had the mythological Thunder God, but slinging lightning bolts is a one-dimensional ability. You need a SORCERER! As an avid player of Warcraft and Final Fantasy, I can tell you that the value of someone who can hang back and cast various magical spells to augment the strength of one’s team is essential! Zatanna not only provides the feminine touch, but provides the versatility of a skilled mage who can throw a little random hocus-pocus into a given situation. (Plus, you can’t discount the drawing power of a female magician in a bunny costume, with fishnet stockings.)

As I was saying before, you introduce the secondary characters within the framework of the primary films. Have Superman cross paths with Martian Manhunter in “Man of Steel II.” Have Green Lantern run across Green Arrow and strike up that famous friendship between the two (for those who don’t know, Green Lantern and Green Arrow actually are very close friends. Downright “bro-mantic” sometimes but that’s another story for another article). And have Zatanna make a cameo in either The Flash or Wonder Woman. Doesn’t have to be exactly that way. You can mix and match with even more interesting results.

What you want is basically the following:

Three Batman movies (already done)
At least two Superman movies (one is already coming out next year)
One Green Lantern sequel (As stated above, Green Lantern NEEDS a sequel to redeem itself)
At least one Flash movie
One Wonder Woman flick
And one Aquaman

Followed, at last, by “Justice League!”

I will write a “Part 2” later on this week to go into further details about how the buildup to the Justice League should go about, and what classic JLA storyline would be the best for adaptation to the big screen. Stay tuned.

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Alphadog
Alphadog - 7/6/2012, 11:35 AM
Christopher nolan's batman doesn't fit in the justice league for 3 reasons. 1) He isn't nearly as smart as the comics version. 2)He doesn't have the martial artist skils that the comics has. 3) Christopher nolan said that batman is the only superhero in that universe.

comiccow6
comiccow6 - 7/6/2012, 12:10 PM
Well, we'll need to reboot Batman then. I don't care what they do, as long as DARKSEID ISN'T USED IN THE MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's too big to use, an Apokalyps invasion would be an Avengers rip-off. Use the Injustice Gang. What happens when the world's worst villains come together? Well, the world's greatest heroes must come together to stop the unholy team. Huh?
clebo99
clebo99 - 7/6/2012, 12:30 PM
I respectfully disagree on how the Justice League Movie should be implemented. I would do it in the following manner (3 additional movies outside of TDKR and MoS):

- Before the 3 movies, there HAS to be a tease for this in MoS. This was an incredibly effective strategy in the Avengers movies.

- Batman vs. Superman. This is what we ALL want. We want our two favorite heroes to clash. The story will also introduce several other superheroes/villains such as Lex Luthor, The Flash, Brainiac and others.

- The Legion of Doom. This movie will focus on Lex Luthor getting his team together. There will of course be the inclusion of the other superheroes and introduction of others (Aquaman, WW, MM). This will be their "Empire Strikes Back" with the LoD "winning" to some extent. Again, a very, very effective strategy in the Star Wars universe having the "good guys" not always come out on top.

- The Justice League Movie. The big battle between the Justice League and Legion of Doom. If they had any balls at all, this would include the death of either Superman or Batman.

Thoughts?
Minotauro
Minotauro - 7/6/2012, 1:48 PM
Make a Superman/Batman team up movie..

A Green Lantern/Martian Manhunter team up movie..

A Aquaman/Flash Team up movie...

A Wonderwoman/Hawkman/girl team up movie..

And in 4 years time... We have a justice league movie.
BlackLanternJake
BlackLanternJake - 7/6/2012, 7:44 PM
Part 2 will go into detail about how I would do the buildup to the movies. Let's just say it's a little bit different than clebo99's idea.

I had no idea that Nolan officially declared his Batman as not having anything to do with DC. What a selfish *******!! His was probably the best Batman I've ever seen on screen and now we gotta reboot the franchise for, what, the FORTY FIFTH TIME?!! (I exaggerate but it seems that way sometimes).

I'm just so burnt out on reboots already! I'd almost rather resurrect the Micheal Keaton Batman than go through another set of "Batman Origin" films.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 7/6/2012, 10:02 PM
I don't want to rain on your parade - I'm sure you put a lot of thought into your article and I respect that considering I have my own ideas which are growing every day..... but articles detailing "how I'd make a Justice League" are a dime a dozen after the Avengers, even before actually.

Not to discourage you from writing articles, but this is essentially one of a hundred covers of a popular song.

(And I intend to prove you wrong about J'onn not being able to have his own movie)
6of13
6of13 - 7/7/2012, 11:12 AM
Set a Martian Manhunter movie set in the 1970s or early 1980s. Make J'onn J'onzz detective John Jones and have him hunt down serial killers. Call the movie Manhunter. The reason for setting the movie in the 70s or 80s is to set it away from modern CSI and forensics. Using DNA to solve criminal cases only came about in the late 1980s, and this movie would predate that. Maybe take inspiration from movies like Se7en and Kiss The Girls. Make it a phsycological thriller with a rating of PG-13. John Jones would have to rely on his telepathy to catch the killer. At the same time he learns about the human condition. Bring in his love for oreos and his fear of fire.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 7/7/2012, 12:33 PM
Sounds good, but what about Mars?
6of13
6of13 - 7/7/2012, 3:38 PM
I imagine a scenario similiar to that in the animated series where J'onn is Mars's lone survivor. Perhaps he is offworld when the entire Martian population is wiped out and Mars becomes a barren wasteland. The cause of the Martian's genocide is a telepathic plague and Darkseid is responsible. J'onn comes to Earth perhaps to not feel so alone. He arrives in the 1960s. Not really knowing what to expect from life and culture on Earth, he decides to explore Earth and travels many countries. He adopts various personas during this time and meets many people (some good and bad). After a decade, he finds a more permanent persona as detective John Jones with which he realises he can make a difference and help people. His telepathic skills come in useful for his job as a detective.

The film, using flash backs, could also explore J'onn's past when he worked as a manhunter.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 7/7/2012, 4:08 PM
I think it's important to show Mars before it becomes a barren wasteland. I have my own ideas about this that I'll save for the fan-fiction section, but in summary: J'onn's brother Ma'alefa'ak is our audience insert after his telepathy is burned out by the Assembly of Minds for mind raping J'onn's wife. He has no memories and has to start over like a child, with J'onn taking it upon himself to oversee his brother's "reclamation".
6of13
6of13 - 7/7/2012, 4:23 PM
Sounds interesting. I look forward to reading your article.
BlackLanternJake
BlackLanternJake - 7/7/2012, 5:19 PM
That sounds good actually, 6of13. And given the "detective" parallels you could even cameo him in a Batman film to give him the personal connections necessary to be invited into the Justice League.
BlackLanternJake
BlackLanternJake - 7/7/2012, 5:22 PM
@Tainted87-- Yeah, I'm already aware of that. I lurk a lot on this site, but seldom post.

Lots of Journalists IRL comment and editorialize on the same real world issues and they get paid to do so. This is just an opinion piece written as a way of speaking my mind on a subject. I don't require anyone to read it, but I appreciate those that do.
6of13
6of13 - 7/8/2012, 3:16 AM
@BlackLanternJake Not only could he cameo in a Batman film as a detective but also in a Superman film. Clark is reporter who would obviously need connections and contacts within the police so it is reasonable that at some point he makes contact with detective John Jones while working on a story. Clark probably wouldn't recognise him as being another alien but J'onn would certainly know that Clark Kent is Superman.
googleplex
googleplex - 7/8/2012, 7:55 PM
@davidpds, i agree on the last part. everything else is rubbish. apparently someone who can take on a group of mobsters and gotham swat singlehandedly and find the identity of a killer from a shattered bullet isn't smart or a great martial artist. or maybe you feel that batman actually does have superpowers since that skill is like chuck norris meets sherlock holmes.
DragonReborn
DragonReborn - 7/9/2012, 8:22 PM
Dude, you are writing about two of my favorite comic book entities, DC & Marvel, admit to liking movies from both universes, and make a Duran Duran reference...you are effing ACES in my book. Great comic book movies from either DC or Marvel are great for comic book readers everywhere! Loved The Avengers and am sure will love The Dark Knight Rises...let's all get the eff along!

BTW, I love your take on setting this up. Pretty much what I've been telling my DC-only loving friends! Personally, I'm an Ironman/Batman type of guy (and my wife would agree!) No powers, but love to tinker with tech!
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