It won’t be a surprise to many that together, Warner Bros. and DC are creating the Justice League movie. If you know that, then you’ll be similarly aware of the possible pitfalls that WB and DC are creating for themselves rushing in to this movie as they are. Fans are uneasy about the possibility of such a name as the Justice League being tied to a movie that is less than sensational.
But all things being said, WB and DC may be aware that there is another group that would be even worse to tinker with.
The Teen Titans have, since their inception in the 80’s, been the backbone of the entire DC Universe. Setting aside the fact that they are – in most cases – the sidekicks of the Justice League members, which in and of itself lends credence to their popularity; the fact that they have played such pivotal roles throughout close to three decades worth of comics is more than enough to alert the big-wigs to their importance.
And to mess up such a brand as the Teen Titans would be nothing short of suicidal.
So when you read Mark Verheiden’s interview with Comic Mix, it is reassuring to see the effort he is exerting to make the Teen Titans movie true to the comic book.
Referring to Warner Bros. and the need to stay true, Verheiden had the following to say; “I think so. It’s a huge project for them and DC. The Teen Titans are a legendary group for them. Its two things, really: One, they are absolutely committed to doing this move. Two, they are absolutely committed to doing it right, so the fans who love and revere it will get something they love and doesn’t make their heads explode.”
As for what his plan for the movie is?
“Well, I'm still writing it, so I'm not 100-percent sure at the moment. One thing I can tell you is that there will be a Nightwing story and Robin is in it, too. Take from that what you will.
We'll also be dealing with a transitional period in the lives of the Teen Titans. It will be a huge, fun, action movie but it's the characters first. What makes them interesting and exciting? That's how I approach any story.
It also won't be the Titans as young adults or anything. I'm also looking to the work of Marv Wolfman and George Perez as the touchstone of inspiration for the film.”
Whether Verheiden’s desire to stick to the original conception of the Teen Titans manages to hold out through the development process is yet to be seen. In the meantime, we can only hope and continue to express our desires for WB and DC to do it right.
You can read the rest of his interview, where Verheiden also touches on his work on Battlestar Galactica, at the Comic Mix interview, via the source link below.