JUSTICE LEAGUE - 5 Theories For How New Director Joss Whedon Could Change The Ending
Rumours are swirling that Joss Whedon has removed Zack Snyder's planned cliffhanger ending for Justice League so we take a look at the five most likely replacements he could be planning for the movie...
Last week, we learned that Joss Whedon is planning on changing Justice League's ending (along with most of the movie if reports of "extensive" reshoots are accurate). There have been rumours for years that Zack Snyder's plan to wrap things up with Darkseid arriving on Earth but for any number of reasons, plans have changed, and so too has this movie. So, what does that mean for its final scene?
That's a question you may think won't be answered until November but we've compiled the five most likely explanations for how Whedon plans on changing Justice League's final act. Some will have a greater impact on the DC Extended Universe than others but they all have the potential to be bigger - and possibly even better - than what we were originally supposed to get at the end of the movie...
5. Flashpoint
Bear in mind that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice featured a very confusing time-travel sequence which saw the Scarlet Speedster travel back to deliver a message to Bruce Wayne, a sign perhaps that it's been the plan to adapt Flashpoint from the start. Either way, if Joss Whedon can make sense of that, I fully expect Justice League to lay the groundwork for this story perhaps by having something so cataclysmic happen that the Flash needs to travel back and ends up resetting the timeline as a result (thereby wiping out most of the DC Extended Universe and giving Warner Bros. the chance to basically start from scratch).
4. Darkseid Is Cut Off From Earth... For Now
After all, we know the studio is going to want to take a wait and see approach to Justice League but the door needs to be left open for a follow-up in some form and there's no better next villain for the team than Darkseid. Perhaps when Steppenwolf fails, the Mother Boxes will be used to cut the connection between Earth and Apokolips but that's something sure to leave Darkseid even more anxious to take over our planet and lays the groundwork for him to make a return of some sort so he can get revenge on Superman and company.
3. Bruce Wayne Hangs Up The Cape And Cowl
Joss Whedon could find a number of ways for Bruce Wayne to give up being Batman, whether it's Flashpoint, an injury, or even death. Who knows, plans could be in place to quietly introduce Nightwing here in order for him to take over the mantle but whether or not Matt Reeves has any interest in telling a Dick Grayson as Batman story is hard to say. It's even possible that after assembling the League, witnessing Superman's return, and saving the Earth that Bruce simply decides to retire!
2. The Heroes Go Their Separate Ways
What better way to lay the groundwork for that than by splitting up the team once Steppenwolf is defeated? The door could be left open to them all deciding to team up again somewhere down the line but everyone going their separate ways to deal with their own issues takes the pressure off the studio and makes this coming together feel like a special one off which moviegoers are either going to want to see again or just not care all that much about. It also feels like something Joss Whedon would do and do well.
1. Avengers Justice League Assemble
However, rather than it coming during the battle with Steppenwolf, I would imagine that the movie could now take whatever cliffhanger Snyder came up with and replace it with a memorable shot of the heroes leaping into action against a new threat, a sign that the team will be there when they're needed but a moment which doesn't in any way significantly impact what's to come in their respective solo outings. This provides a definitive ending and could be just the sort of brighter moment the studio is now looking for from these adaptations.
How much do you guys think Joss Whedon will change Justice League's ending and in what way? As always, be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below.