Let's Talk Costumes?

cleverusername8 · 10-04-2012, 08:02 PM

This is actually kind of a thing... I mean as much as I like the classic comic book/cartoon Wonder Woman costume, I highly doubt that'll translate well into live action (as we sort of saw with that almost TV show).

As a matter of fact, all of the costumes will need a bit of re-imagining to trim some cheesiness. I don't mean to sound harsh or be heretical, I just think that the costumes will be important especially for audience reception.

For Superman, assuming that Man of Steel will be separate from this, the classic costume might actually be alright. The underpants may need to turn into sort of briefs or maybe become armored rather than clothy (if that's a word...) but other than that it's fine. He and Batman need to look close to their iconic selves if no one else does.

Speaking of Batman, while the all black was kinda cool in the Dark Knight trilogy, I'd personally like to see a return to the gray colored body with black cowl, cape and boots. A dark gray for sure, but a little bit of color diversity wouldn't kill the Bat

Also I may be along in this, but I think it'd be cool to see Batman have lenses in this movie universe (the white coverings over his eyes). Even if they are technological, it'd be nice to see them and help out with his hiding of his identity.

Back to Wonder Woman, I think costume function should be more of a focus than eye candy in the movie since her character is known to be strong and actually play a role in stories. Not hating on Widow, but her role suits her being just a pretty face... and body but if WW is to be taken seriously, she has to be seen as a good character rather than just, you know.
So enough of the spiel, her costume should cover a good deal without being body armor. She can keep the red, white, and blue color scheme but something along the lines of the New 52 color palette would be best in my opinion. It'd be good if she keeps the tiara the same as it typically is so that her iconic element stays intact.

Green Lantern is tricky because I kind of like how the costume was in the 2011 movie whereas most other people seem not to. So maybe for him they could go for a more practical costume rather than 100% CGI. More black could be incorporated in than the movie but still green has to be the overwhelming majority of the costume. For obvious reasons. I'd stay away from gloves, but if they must be part of things, they should be either a really dark green or dark gray but not white. That's treading a little far into the cartoon zone.

Flash will be red and yellow as usual but more of a crimson color I think. The yellow could be on the gold side and work. I'm ambivalent on wingtips at this point but I'm leaning towards either having them be part of the pattern ala Avengers Captain America or to point straight backwards and be really close to his head. The lightening bolt should be by itself without the white circle around it if it's there at all. I personally think they should try their hardest to incorporate the lightening bolt somehow since it is a big part of his character and sort of his trademark in all of this.
To be honest, Flash is the one I'm most worried about costume wise because I feel like the GA will already underestimate him/write him off thinking that he only runs fast as his power (this can be easily reversed once they see him in the story/in a fight but still). The less cartoony, the better with him I feel.

Martian Manhunter, if in this movie, should not be bare-chested. I like the idea that the MM in JL

oom and Crisis on Two Earths had but maybe a little bit less clothe-like than that. I don't really want armor either but somewhere between the two. They should be form fitting with maybe a shawl (not a shawl but a cape that wraps around his body from the back) and the sort of "collar" would be good too. His character design itself should be more alien than human I feel but not the weird shaped head like in JL

oom. I didn't really like that so much. They could shape the head better than that >_<

Lastly, Aquaman should be armored. To the teeth. It would help immensely with his image if done right and give him a more kingly feel (the king going into battle sort of image). I'd be down with a hook for a hand thing if, again, done right. However, I think he should have short hair and a medium sized beart rather than short beard with long hair. Save that for Green Arrow in a possible sequel

So that sums things up for the original 7. I REALLY don't want to see Cyborg come anywhere near Justice League movies but if he has to be in this, something close to the New 52 would do I suppose, but it should not be so jagged. Smooth out some of those edges and get some blue/purple in that armor. Straight silver with a little red makes him look more evil to me.

What do you guys think about these ideas? Feel free to pitch your own, this is a forum after all lol

TheWatcher · 10-04-2012, 08:32 PM

For Superman, MOS.

For Batman, New 52 made with the Captain America materials.

For Wonder Woman, classic all the way.

For Hal, easily the New 52 costume.

Same for Barry.

Aquaman as well.

For J'onn, Justice League Doom.

cleverusername8 · 10-05-2012, 01:36 AM

Actually, after physically looking at the JL Doom Martian Manhunter, I think that costume will do just fine.

I agree that the new 52 costumes for GL, Flash, Aquaman would get the job done, but they'd definitely need some improving.

I cannot, however, reconvile WW wearing the skimpy and over-the-top designed costume you show there. If they got rid of the stars on the abdomen, coveredup just a little more cleavage and gave her something reminiscent of pants, we'd be heading in the right direction.

theMan-Bat · 10-05-2012, 02:42 AM

For Superman, classic, iconic with a darker shade of blue and red than the Christopher Reeve version.

For Batman, classic black and dark gray cloth rather than all rubber.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleverusername8

This is actually kind of a thing... I mean as much as I like the classic comic book/cartoon Wonder Woman costume, I highly doubt that'll translate well into live action (as we sort of saw with that almost TV show).

That failed David E. Kelley Wonder Woman TV show wasn't translating the classic, iconic Wonder Woman costume. The successful Lynda Carter TV show proved that the classic, iconic Wonder Woman costume does translate just fine to live-action.

Instead of just reusing Lynda Carter's outfit, this subtly updated version retains the classic, iconic look.

Green Lantern's costume needn't be an expensive CGI suit. A real, cloth costume is much more practical and a big relief on the budget.

For the Flash, classic, iconic.

Same for Aquaman.

Same for the Manhunter from Mars.

Same for Hawkman and the Atom.

Same for Green Arrow.

Quote:

As a matter of fact, all of the costumes will need a bit of re-imagining to trim some cheesiness.

There is an inherent cheesiness to all superhero costumes. They either look cool or ridiculous to a person, generally depending if they are a superhero fan or not. A JLA director needs to be a fan and believe that they are cool, rather than try to make them "cool" and put them all in body armor or all in black costumes and give them all snarky, obnoxious or angsty attitudes in desperate attempts to make them cool, without realizing that they were cool as they were already. I want the classic, iconic characters brought to life faithfully, with their classic, iconic heroic characterizations and in their classic, iconic costumes that are known, recognized and loved by generations. These characters are legendary. The general public disliked the altered costume in Singer's Superman Returns. The overwhelmingly negative reaction from the public to the rebooted costume Jim Lee made of Wonder Woman in the comics and the negative influence of that on the failed David E. Kelley Wonder Woman TV show should have told DC that the majority of people don't want drastically altered costumes. Half of the Justice League characters appeal for general audiences, many of whom don't read comic books anymore, is nostalgia.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleverusername8

I cannot, however, reconvile WW wearing the skimpy and over-the-top designed costume you show there. If they got rid of the stars on the abdomen, coveredup just a little more cleavage and gave her something reminiscent of pants, we'd be heading in the right direction.

The failed David E. Kelley Wonder Woman TV show attempted to cover up Wonder Woman with pants, and there was an overwhelmingly negative reaction from the public. The majority of people don't want the iconic costumes altered to that extent. These characters are over-the-top, flashy, not subtle. Titillating cheesecake with Wonder Woman's bare legs and cleavage and beefcake with Hawkman and Martian Manhunter's bare chests actually helps attract male and female audiences.

7heBoss · 10-05-2012, 05:25 AM

I think something similar to xena would work for wonder woman, but you know, more red and blue. Battle skirt is much better in my opinion.

theMan-Bat · 10-05-2012, 08:03 AM

Wonder Woman does have red, yellow and blue battle armor in the comics with battle skirt, battle axe and shield.

And all yellow battle armor with battle skirt, magic sword and shield.

They don't permanently replace her iconic outfit and magic lasso, they are battle armor and extra weapons that she uses on occasions when needed.

Llama_Shepherd · 10-05-2012, 12:35 PM

Superman- by Nebezial, small edits by myself