DC Comics fans AGAINST JLA live-action film?

[Cosmic]

This section of the forums now looks like some kind of crazed/berserk geekfest...over the possibility of JLA coming to theaters in the near future. But taking a look through most of the threads, I see more than a little discontent. So, I guess I'm not alone in thinking that a JLA movie right now, is NOT the greatest thing ever conceived. We're not all just going bonkers over the latest news and rumors regarding a JLA project...even though it might look that way to a casual observer. I want to hear from the rest of you. Because right now, it's a little embarrassing to come here, only to see the entire forum flooded with near-hysterical hype over a script and some studio rumors.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

I too am shocked about the total lack of support for a live action JLA. For years people have been upset that DC has not kept up with Marvel regarding live action hero movies. So Warner finally gets the balls to actually do it and they are freaking out....And over possible rumors of a script and casting decisions. All that talk is just that...talk. Thats why its called "in development". Changes will and should be made. But, I do think Warner saw how popular the Justice League Smallville episode was and the success of X-men. And figured it might be worth it to try. Plus it gives Warner an opportunity to introduce lesser heroes to the general public and then give them spinoffs.
With regards to Bats & Supes. They have to be in it. Bale should be signed to at least make an appearance. Whether it be a scene where he helps with some sort of investigation and gives them advice or something more. Just give him a new contract for JLA so he can still due Bats 3. And with Supes. I am not a fan of Superman Returns and Routh is ok. But, and I might be in the minority. I would enjoy seeing Welling get a the part. He has gotten the presence of Supes in the last few seasons and it would be very cool.

 

[Johnichi Chiba]

I think the JLA flick needs to be a period piece set maybe around the time of New Frontier. Otherwise, I just can't see it without coming off as really corny/campy or just plain bad.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

They need to wait. It's too much of an all or nothing move on their part. Sure it could be successful, but with a shakey director attached and little or no support it seems from stars already attached to said characters, it seems like they are trying for a hail mary when honestly it's completely unnecessary. See how characters in the Justice League fair on their own before shoving a whole bunch of unknown, untested characters into a film.

 

[The Marvel]

Personally, I would LOVE to see a JLA film and I think the movie going public would positvely eat it up.

 

[mclay18]

I am all for a live-action JLA, the problem is that now Warners is rushing it into development to avoid the writers' strike and that the time crunch is going to negatively impact the script and production. As for the actual script, Warners is putting a lot of support in utilizing new screenwriters and not using screenwriters who have had experience working in the superhero genre, which bothers me a bit.

I'm not worried about the script's story, I'm all for making changes to the DC canon as long as it makes for an entertaining movie. A comic book movie doesn't necessarily have to be faithful to the source material in order to be good, but how the writers treat the material and which director comes on is a big factor as well.

And I think these rumors about Bale and Routh are a bit unfounded -- sure there's reports that they may not do it, but that's likely due to Warners fast-tracking it for a 2009 release (which will complicate either actor's commitments to their respective franchise sequels and other projects should they do JL). I think Warners needs to loosen the reins a bit and need to focus on just getting a good script ready and a director, but slow the production down and wait for a 2010 release. That way there's a much better chance of getting the actors back. (And avoid the controversy of recasting the pivotal roles for the JL movie.)

I'm all for a JL movie, but Warners needs to slow down with what they're doing and really think this project out before commencing with casting and shooting. At the rate they're going, the end product will please no one.

 

[Jordacar]

I think that everyone is fearing the worst, and they, or more correctly we, have become accustomed to big studios screwing up things like this, from contractual obligations to studio meddling to a whole host of other things, there are just so many miracles that have to happen at this point to get a decent movie that it seems like just too much to hope for.

 

[REDophile]

Well I'm definitely not against a JLA movie, its just that first off I would much rather have a solo film about some other DC character without an or on their chest. Okay I understand that DC is not Marvel, but c'mon, if we get to see Daredevil and Ghost Rider in their own movies its ridiculous for WW, Flash, GL or Aquaman not to get the same type of Hollywood treatment. After all, WB gave us Crapwoman with Halle Berry, so its even more ridiculous for them to say they can't make a WW movie. Lets face it, the folks at WB don't understand any superhero other than Superman or Batman, how are we supposed to believe they can do anything with JLA??

 

[ShadowBoxing]

Well I'm definitely not against a JLA movie, its just that first off I would much rather have a solo film about some other DC character without an or on their chest. Okay I understand that DC is not Marvel, but c'mon, if we get to see Daredevil and Ghost Rider in their own movies its ridiculous for WW, Flash, GL or Aquaman not to get the same type of Hollywood treatment. After all, WB gave us Crapwoman with Halle Berry, so its even more ridiculous for them to say they can't make a WW movie. Lets face it, the folks at WB don't understand any superhero other than Superman or Batman, how are we supposed to believe they can do anything with JLA??

Exactly. For all we know this Justice League could make the League look like a group of disposeable nobodies next to Bats and Supes. Better to build up the individual pieces first before you stick them together. Then they will have a better sense of who to showcase in the movie aside from Bats and Supes.

 

[Jordacar]

I'm starting to feel that maybe it really isn't the right time. As much as we'd all love to see this, it seems that we want to see it at a certain point in time, when there isn't so much riding on each of the individual heroes. Maybe other things should happen first, other movies should be made. We've seen how well spin-offs usually do.

I am certain that I would be happier if WB announced they were putting JL on hold and doing the solo movies first.

 

[Speedball]

I'm not against a JLA film, I'm just against the way that the WB is rushing it and not thinking.

 

[Steelsheen]

man i was trying to avoid having to login here until i've finished moving, but i have to comment on this:

the "discontent" you read on these forums are from the opinions of fans on the extreme side of each of the franchises, it does not speak for DC fans as a whole or for the GP in general. from everyone i've spoken to about this-- both rabid fanboys and GP-- i get a lot of optimistic responses. and i'm not talking about "ok that would be cool", its more of "wow! really? when is it coming out?", its the kind of excitment from the audience that WB has been looking for ever since they re-launched the Batman and Superman franchises.

but here's the thing....

most of the GP identify with the current Batman and Superman-- Christian Bale and Brandon Routh respectively-- to be in the JLA movie, that's part of what's driving the excitement. so if theres any reality as to Bale not being part of this project or Routh being recast then they're throwing another curveball that may turn sour with the audience, as someone mentioned, this behemoth of a project may collapse under its own weight. WB has to be very careful on how to handle the current leads of its most popular franchises, they've got a good thing going already. they shouldnt shoot themselves in the foot in the attempt to get the JLA off the ground.

 

[FCEEVIPER]

Personally, I would LOVE to see a JLA film and I think the movie going public would positvely eat it up.

Same here, just keep Bale and Brandon away from it.

 

[Jake Cassidy]

I'm really excited to see what actors they are thinking about.

 

[Cmill216]

I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone right now. For years, we as fans fantasized about the day a JLA film would come into fruition. We mock cast it, debated who should direct it, and so on.

And now here we are, sooner than ever expected. And yet...I haven't felt a single good vibe from anything I've heard to this point.

 

[OobeDoobBenubi]

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_ezine&task=read&page=1&category=1&article=3114

 

[Steelsheen]

I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone right now. For years, we as fans fantasized about the day a JLA film would come into fruition. We mock cast it, debated who should direct it, and so on.

And now here we are, sooner than ever expected. And yet...I haven't felt a single good vibe from anything I've heard to this point.

i'm getting some good vibes from it-- the good director and screenwriters and the near assurance that the GP will eat this up. but i'm starting to see the weak links starting to appear, like this whole recasting for Superman and Batman, they get actors less than Bale or Routh in terms of looks and competency this whole thing might collapse. casting is key now.

 

[The Marvel]

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_ezine&task=read&page=1&category=1&article=3114

Damn......No brandon or christian?
Well we still get Batman And Superman either way.

 

[REDophile]

Who knows if any of these rumors we're hearing are true, IESB might not be the most reliable source. There hasn't even been anything on this site yet about the casting process.

 

[Steelsheen]

perhaps SHH is in the middle of verifying with their own sources.

 

[TheVileOne]

For WB not to realize how disastrous the idea of doing a live action version of Batman in a big movie when they already have a perfectly good actor playing Batman that people LIKE . . . don't they see how craptacular it is?

This is CINO-esque ******ism returning to WB at it's finest.

 

[Cmill216]

So let me get this straight:

The series Smallville supposedly can't use Bruce Wayne for various reasons regarding not wanting to conflict with Batman Begins, but now they're going to go ahead and bring in Bruce Wayne in this JLA film, possibly make him younger, and not bring in Christian Bale who is currently playing Bruce Wayne in his own film series?

The hell?

 

[Steelsheen]

its amazing when you try to follow studio logic. its always two steps forward, and one step back for these guys:

2 steps forward: getting George Miller for director and the Mulroneys for screenwriters

1 step back: recasting Superman and Batman.

oy!

 

[Cmill216]

I'm not against a JLA film, but it just isn't the right time. Let Batman get his franchise rolling with The Dark Knight, let Supes get his sequel, and try to get Wonder Woman (which I think has a ton of potential) off the ground and into the cinemas.

THEN once you've established those big three on the big screen, bring them together along with the B-listers who couldn't manage their own films, and voila. JLA.

 

[declan]

i'm getting some good vibes from it-- the good director and screenwriters and the near assurance that the GP will eat this up. but i'm starting to see the weak links starting to appear, like this whole recasting for Superman and Batman, they get actors less than Bale or Routh in terms of looks and competency this whole thing might collapse. casting is key now.

I don't think casting is key at all. First of all Routh is probably contractually obligated, and even if he wasn't why would he throw away the chance to return in MOS?

Where Bale is concerned, I think the OMAC storyline on which the script is based makes it unnecessary for him to be involved. Think about it: No Bruce, just a guy in the suit with the voice Bale established. It's not a big deal.

Neither West, Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney or Bale is Batman. Hell, even a good deal of Batgeeks have never been happy with any performance by the guy in the suit no matter who it was.

The iconic Batman is perfectly "suited" by the Brother Eye premise and shouldn't be a hindrance to Nolan's trilogy in any way. So many people here are wretching at the OMAC precept (because we fanboys know it was contrived) without thinking of how perfect it could be as a launchpad for the JL and Bat's role in it.

I said this in another thread, but WB is going against comic-book-movie convention here. I applaud them.

DC fanboys (myself included) have never been satisfied anyway, and I say the quick "greenlighting" of the JL movie is potentially great news for everyone. Unless you're a fan of SR.