Project History
With the Wonder Woman TV series ending in 1979, Warner Brothers studios is intent on Bringing the character to the screen, in addition to characters like Batman and The Flash.
It's clear that this would be an entirely new iteration of the character , unrelated to the 1970s series .
The plan was to take a more serious approach to the character in a major Hollywood blockbuster.
With this tall task in mind , Warner Brothers approaches Alien and Bladerunner director Ridley Scott to helm the project.
While rejecting the idea of doing a superhero film , the mythological aspect of the character, her origins, and Paradise Island intrigue him far more.
Amazons, gods, goddesses, magic , and sorcerey , interest Scott, and if he were to direct a Wonder Woman film, he would want to make a Clash Of The Titans, style film, as opposed to a spandax herione running through the streets of Los Angeles.
The Studio liked Scott's approach , and Scott signed on to helm the project which would begin production in 1984, for a 1986 release.
Script
With the Mythological aspect of Wonder Woman being the focus of the film, the story would take place entirely on Paradise Island and Mount Olympus .
Steve Trevor would be a naval pilot who crash lands on The Island , and would remain on the Island through the whole film.
Through this perspective, Trevor would have to be the one to adapt to a world without men , and in the end would join the Amazons in the battle to save Themyscira from Ares and his army.
The film would largely be told from the perspective of Donna Troy , with Diana serving as the focus , who is a legendary Amazon warrior, whom Donna Troy admires and follows around , much to Diana's annoyance.
Their relationship would be that of a Big Sister, and Kid Sister, dynamic .
In Steve Trevor , Diana would meet her match , and their growing attraction would be a source of tension within the society.
The threat of the film would be Ares and his minions Cheetah and Circe .
Zeus would also be featured in the film as an ambiguous character, whose allegiances remains unclear, and whose past Hippolyta, serves as one of the film's mysteries.
In the end , Ares's forces are beaten back and Paradise Island freed from Ares's attempted rule.
Diana decides to leave the island with Steve Trevor , as now it is up to Donna Troy to serve as Paradise Island's new leader.
Casting
When casting the film, Scott wanted established actors in the lead roles in addition up and coming actors in the smaller roles.
For the role of Wonder Woman, Scott had only one actress in mind, His Alien lead Sigourney Weaver.
He wanted Wonder Woman to be a veteran and legend for the film, and at 35 and 6 feet tall, She seemed like more than a commanding , and authoritative, presence .
For the role of Steve Trevor , Scott wanted another established actor , and after Harrison Ford turned the part down, Scott cast Tron's Jeff Bridges as the fish out of water pilot.
For the crucial role of Donna Troy, Scott cast his Legend lead Mia Sara .
For the role of Ares , Scott looked to his Bladerunner lead Rutger Hauer , and for the roles of Cheetah and Circe , Scott casts Joanna Cassidy and Kelly LaBrock respectively.
Grace Jones was cast in the memorable role of Diana's second in command Artemis, while Ursula Andress was cast as Hippolyta.
Project History
By the 1950s , Alfred Hitchcock had already become a leading director in Hollywood after a successful career as a British film director in the 1930s and 1940s.
He was well known for tales of suspense and intrigue with films like Shadow Of A Doubt, Rear Window, and Dial M For Murder .
By 1955 , Hitchcock wants to tell a different type of suspense mystery and thriller, one which would feature of Protagonist, and Antagonist, who both walked on opposite sides of the law,
and whom both seemed as menacing and threatening as the other.
While there were novels he could have based his new idea on, surprisingly , he looks to pulp novels and comics before he stumbled on a character called The Batman.
The character had been around close to 20 years by the time Hitchcock laid eyes on him, and had already been adapted into two , forgettable, film serials a decade earlier.
Still, there was something intriguing about the character and his arch nemesis, a frightening clown called The Joker .
The Batman, seemed much like several of his brooding anti heroes of his films like Notorious , While the Joker had a mania and madness seen in his Strangers On A Train.
Hitchcock felt that there was alot to chew on psychologically , even putting aside the visuals that a Batman film could present.
While 20th Century Fox owned the film rights to the character at the moment, they had never dreamed a director like Hitchcock would be willing to make a Batman film.
At the same time, Hitchcock was still under Warner Brothers payroll, but in 1954, the unthinkable happens, when Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox studios decided to work together to produce a big Budget Batman film with Hitchcock directing.
While the project seemed totally outside Hitchcock's comfort zone, and the Studios felt it could be risky, Hitchcock was a money maker , and he had the clout to attract big names to give the project legitimacy .
So in the Spring of 1955 , filming began with what was first titled , " Mystery Of The Batman, " to simple " The Batman".
The film would be made in technicolor, and be released in 1956.
Script
Hitchcock decided early on in the scripting process that our eyes and ears into the world of the Batman, would be a woman.
The character Hitchcock latched onto was Selina Kyle aka The Cat .
Much like Hitchcock's to Catch A Thief , The central focus would be a Cat Burglar , who finds herself caught in a world of false faces , murder, and intrigue.
The film would also delve into her own psyche and how characters such as The Batman and Joker play into her own fears .
Selina would be a wealthy socialite who travels from city to city to scope out the next big score.
In the evenings she would take on persona of the Cat , burgle her target , then move onto the next city.
However, during one of her scores in Gotham , she witnesses the murder of her mark, by the psychotic Joker .
She barely escapes his clutches , but leaves behind crucial clues to her identity.
When Ms Kyle is framed , she finds herself on the run by not only Law enforcement , and The Joker, but by a wraith, known as The Batman.
The Batman is considered an urban myth in Gotham , and she's heard about the creature in underworld circles.
Kyle, like many lead characters in Hitchcock films, is wary of who she can trust , and feels the walls closing in on her .
All the while, The Batman seems to appear everywhere ready to pounce , chasing her through the frightening streets of Gotham
She's not sure if Batman and The Joker are criminal rivals , or are working together.
She finds solace in the aloof playboy Bruce Wayne whom she sees as an easy mark , but soon becomes intrigued by him.
Then , there's the dashing DA Harvey Dent intent on capturing The Cat, but quite Taken with Ms. Kyle.
There's also the Cat's pursuer , the hard nosed Jim Gordon who isn't as easily swayed by Ms. Kyle, or the Cat's Charms.
Through out the film she would be caught in a quadrangle with 3 men, all of whom, are taken with her, and all of whom, could be The Batman
In the second act , The Batman would connect with The Cat , and they would form an alliance to take down the mysterious Joker,
And clear her name , by setting a trap for the Joker.
The film would end with a suspense filled , Hitchcock style cliffhanger , with The Cat getting out by the skin of her teeth.
The Bat and The Cat would reveal that they figured out each others identity before a long kiss as the sunrises over Gotham City.
Casting
For the role of Selina Kyle Hitchcock casts his Rear Window, To Catch A Thief, and Dial M For Murder lead , Grace Kelly .
The Pennsylvania Native was already a big star , and Hitchcock feels she's perfect as The Alluring Socialite and the Cunning Cat Burglar.
The role Of Batman is a bit harder to fill.
Cary Grant passes on the role, weary of wearing tights and a mask , and also feeling he was too old for the role.
Ultimately, Hitchcock's Spellbound lead, Gregory Peck accepts the role as the mysterious yet earnest , Dark Knight.
For the role of the Joker, Hitchcock approaches several actors from Richard Widmark to Ray Milland.
However , it's Vincent Price , who is cast in the role of the Clown Prince of Crime, antagonist of the film.
Shadow Of A Doubt and Nigra actor Joseph Cotten is cast in the role of DA Harvey Dent , for his ability to play both heroes and villains.
The role of Gordon goes to Hollywood leading man Clark Gable , while Strangers On A Train actor Leo G Carroll is cast as Alfred The Butler.
Project History
With the cancellation of the 1950s Superman tv series , and a failed attempt at a Superboy tv series in 1961, there is a desire to develop a big screen Superman film.
By the mid 1960s , with the explosion of British Spy films , American producers want to match the spy craze with a technicolor, extravaganza that the UK wasn't offering,
A big budget, comic strip come to life , with Major American stars and studio backing.
This would be a Superman for the 60s a big and bold technicolor .
Ironically , many American studios were afraid to touch the project , and it would be United Artists who would offer to produce and distribute the film.
Once UA got involved with the project , Goldfinger director Guy Hamilton was chosen for the film .
His experience with Bond demonstrated he could tell a larger than life adventure with action , humor, and over the top antics.
The film would shoot in London and The US in the Spring of 1965 with an eye toward a Summer 1966 release.
If the film were to be a success, the plan was to make a series of sequels , each focusing on a new adventure, much like the Bond films.
Script
The film would by pass The Superman origin story , and would feature an already established Man Of Steel , and his alter ego , the shy ,and insecure, Clark Kent.
The Plot would revolve around the villainous Lex Luthor, who, with his minions , would plot to hold the world at ransom after acquiring deadly weapons, in a plot similar to the OO7 film Thunderball.
The intrepid Lois Lane would soon stumble Lex's this plot before being caught in Luthor's clutches .
It would be up to the Man Of Steel to stop the villainous Luthor before it's too late , because even Superman, can only be in one place at a time.
The Dynamic between Superman and Lois would very much reflect the snappy dialog and humor of 1960s romcoms such as Pillow Talk , with Lois Lane clearly smitten with the Man Of Steel,
While dismissive of the awkward Clark Kent .
Luthor would be portrayed as a mad genius , jealous of the dashing Superman, and restful that both The Western and The Eastern Superpowers , had rejected him, and now planned to show the world, that he was the ultimate Superman, controlling the fate of life on Earth.
The story would take Superman all around the world from Metropolis, To Paris, To The USSR, and to the artic compound controlled by Lex Luthor and his minions.
The producers wanted the film to be a fun , romance , and adventure , with the Bondian over the top action and spectacle .
Casting
For The Role Of Superman, United Artists wanted a Big name unlike previous Superman actor , George Reeves .
While Guy Hamilton briefly considered actor John Gavin as Superman, United Artists approached 6'3 star Rock Hudson to play the role of Superman, feeling the actor was a perfect fit for the charming, humorous, larger than life, yet relatable , version of Superman.
While it took Hudson some convincing , the actor agreed to sign onto the part as long as he wasn't in tights the whole film.
For the role of Lois Lane, producers considered several actresses from Audrey Hepburn to Natalie Wood.
However, Guy Hamilton wanted Elizabeth Taylor , who was already a dear friend to her Giant costar, Rock Hudson.
Like Hudson, Taylor was skeptical about taking the part, not wanting to be just a " damsel " in distress.
Once she was convinced that the Lois of the script was a hero of her own of sorts and was tough as nails, Taylor agreed to reunite with her friend onscreen.
For the role of Lex Luthor , Guy Hamilton briefly considered Donald Pleasance, but he had prior commitments.
However, it was American actor Telly Savalas who caught his attention .
Hamilton felt he had the dynamic presence and menace to play Lex as more than just a crazed scientist, but a genuine Sociopath and imposing figure who could stand toe to toe with the towering Rock Hudson.
The Roles of Perry White and Jimmy Olsen went to Spencer Tracy and Russ Tamblyn.
Edmond O'Brien was cast as The US President , while Bond girl Shirley Eaton was cast as Lex's henchwoman and Love interest.
The Cast
Superman / Clark Kent : Rock Hudson
Lois Lane : Elizabeth Taylor
Lex Luthor : Telly Savalas
Jimmy Olsen : Russ Tamblyn
Perry White : Spencer Tracy President Of The United States : Edmond O' Brien Lex Luthor's Henchwoman and girlfriend : Shirley Eaton
GREEN ARROW (2000)
Director : David Fincher
Story by : Joss Whedon
Screenplay : Andrew Kevin Walker
Project History
With a future Batman film still in development and Superman still on the skids, Warner Brothers considers developing a film about a lesser known hero, which then could be used as a potential springboard of other heroes .
While Joss Whedon pitches a Batman origin film, he also has an idea for a film about another billionare vigilante, The Green Arrow .
Whedon sees a potential GA film as a Count Of Monte Cristo Meets coming of age drama film in which the conseated and selffish playboy would be humbled, discovering the suffering in the world, and be an instrument of social justice and societial change .
However, this hero would not be a 30 something guy , but instead an college aged frat boy , who would have to learn to grow up fast to carry the mantle of Green Arrow.
Warner Brothers liked the idea of utilizing a lesser known character without the baggage of Batman or Superman, and they also liked the idea of the hero being young, opening the opportunity
for several sequels .
After Whedon presented a scriptment of how he would approach a GA film, Warner Brothers moved forward with the project , with producers searching for a director.
They soon turned to David Fincher , who agreed to take on the project for a Summer 2000 release date.
Script
Andrew Kevin Walker is brought in to expand upon Whedon's scriptment into a full blown script
The script would involve the basic origin of Oliver Queen except he would be in his early 20s and a frat boy as opposed to a child .
While he and his two parents are presumbled dead by the world, he has washed up on a deserted island, and must learn to fend for himself.
He spends 4 years alone on the island, at times, going mad, and at other times, tryiing to replay the events which led him to the island,
and the forces of his father's inner circle who may have had it out for the Queen famility.
Eventually , Oliver finds a way off the Island , and travels around the world taking odd jobs and living under the radar as a pauper.
By the time he returns to Star City he's 25 , and he's in disquise .
He watches as his family Empire is used by his father's associates for corrupt purposes.
He see's that crime is one the rise and the gap between the wealthy and the poor is tearing the city apart.
It is then that Oliver decides that he must balance the scales in favor of those less fortunate, and to rob from the corrupt to give to the poor.
All the while, bringing justice to those whom society has ignored.
As the Green Arrow begins his crusade as a modern day Robin Hood , the elite of Star City see him as a threat.
The movement Green Arrow has started has inspired other people to rise to his calling including the fierce and mysterious Black Canary, and a street kid named Roy Harper.
Just as GA is becoming a folk hero and media darling, the elite of society find themselves murdered with an Arrows.
This brutal brand of justice leds people to think that the Arrow is more Malneveloent , than herioc.
Ultimately Green Arrow and The Dark Archer would battle for the heart of Star City, and unlike in the comics, it would turn out that the Dark Archer would be none other than Robert Queen, who also survived the boat crash , and had come back to Star City seeking to Avenge his wife , and what he thought was his dead son.
The father and son would have to face each other , Luke and Vader style , with each feeling their methods are correct.
Oliver believes in justice, and second chances, and is against death as the ultimate punishment, while Robert believes in an eye for an eye and believes the corrupt must pay the ultimate price.
In the end, Dark Archer dies in battle, compounding Oliver tragedy.
At the same time, he wants to prevent another Robert Queen from being created, and feels the way to do that is to come into the light and regain his place at the head of his family's empire.
Oliver Queen makes a public return , revealing his survival from the boat crash , and reclaims his legacy, while at the same time , continuing his crusade against injustice as The Green Arrow.
The script would also feature appearances by Green Arrow rogues such as Deadshot and Count Vertigo , Star City's Elite and hired to eliminate The Green Arrow .
Casting
Fincher has only one actor in mind when casting the role of the Frat Boy turned crusader , Good Will Hunting actor Matt Damon, who was on the buzz of his fame .
While it seemed like an unlikely role for the young actor , he had auditioned for the role of Robin in Batman Forever , and was open to playing Oliver Queen, provided the film would not be a campfest like Batman and Robin.
The role of Dark Archer/ Robert Queen, went to another unexpected choice, Michael Douglas , who had starred in Fincher's The Game , while Jessica Lange was cast in the role of Moira Queen.
For the role's of Green Arrow's allies, Black Canary and Roy Harper, Damon's Rounders costar Gretchen Mol is cast as Canary while Disturbing Behavior's Nick Stahl was cast as Roy Harper.
Julian Sands was cast as Count Vertigo and Michael Wincott makes an appearance as Deadshot.
Project History
By the 1950s , Alfred Hitchcock had already become a leading director in Hollywood after a successful career as a British film director in the 1930s and 1940s.
He was well known for tales of suspense and intrigue with films like Shadow Of A Doubt, Rear Window, and Dial M For Murder .
By 1955 , Hitchcock wants to tell a different type of suspense mystery and thriller, one which would feature of Protagonist, and Antagonist, who both walked on opposite sides of the law,
and whom both seemed as menacing and threatening as the other.
While there were novels he could have based his new idea on, surprisingly , he looks to pulp novels and comics before he stumbled on a character called The Batman.
The character had been around close to 20 years by the time Hitchcock laid eyes on him, and had already been adapted into two , forgettable, film serials a decade earlier.
Still, there was something intriguing about the character and his arch nemesis, a frightening clown called The Joker .
The Batman, seemed much like several of his brooding anti heroes of his films like Notorious , While the Joker had a mania and madness seen in his Strangers On A Train.
Hitchcock felt that there was alot to chew on psychologically , even putting aside the visuals that a Batman film could present.
While 20th Century Fox owned the film rights to the character at the moment, they had never dreamed a director like Hitchcock would be willing to make a Batman film.
At the same time, Hitchcock was still under Warner Brothers payroll, but in 1954, the unthinkable happens, when Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox studios decided to work together to produce a big Budget Batman film with Hitchcock directing.
While the project seemed totally outside Hitchcock's comfort zone, and the Studios felt it could be risky, Hitchcock was a money maker , and he had the clout to attract big names to give the project legitimacy .
So in the Spring of 1955 , filming began with what was first titled , " Mystery Of The Batman, " to simple " The Batman".
The film would be made in technicolor, and be released in 1956.
Script
Hitchcock decided early on in the scripting process that our eyes and ears into the world of the Batman, would be a woman.
The character Hitchcock latched onto was Selina Kyle aka The Cat .
Much like Hitchcock's to Catch A Thief , The central focus would be a Cat Burglar , who finds herself caught in a world of false faces , murder, and intrigue.
The film would also delve into her own psyche and how characters such as The Batman and Joker play into her own fears .
Selina would be a wealthy socialite who travels from city to city to scope out the next big score.
In the evenings she would take on persona of the Cat , burgle her target , then move onto the next city.
However, during one of her scores in Gotham , she witnesses the murder of her mark, by the psychotic Joker .
She barely escapes his clutches , but leaves behind crucial clues to her identity.
When Ms Kyle is framed , she finds herself on the run by not only Law enforcement , and The Joker, but by a wraith, known as The Batman.
The Batman is considered an urban myth in Gotham , and she's heard about the creature in underworld circles.
Kyle, like many lead characters in Hitchcock films, is wary of who she can trust , and feels the walls closing in on her .
All the while, The Batman seems to appear everywhere ready to pounce , chasing her through the frightening streets of Gotham
She's not sure if Batman and The Joker are criminal rivals , or are working together.
She finds solace in the aloof playboy Bruce Wayne whom she sees as an easy mark , but soon becomes intrigued by him.
Then , there's the dashing DA Harvey Dent intent on capturing The Cat, but quite Taken with Ms. Kyle.
There's also the Cat's pursuer , the hard nosed Jim Gordon who isn't as easily swayed by Ms. Kyle, or the Cat's Charms.
Through out the film she would be caught in a quadrangle with 3 men, all of whom, are taken with her, and all of whom, could be The Batman
In the second act , The Batman would connect with The Cat , and they would form an alliance to take down the mysterious Joker,
And clear her name , by setting a trap for the Joker.
The film would end with a suspense filled , Hitchcock style cliffhanger , with The Cat getting out by the skin of her teeth.
The Bat and The Cat would reveal that they figured out each others identity before a long kiss as the sunrises over Gotham City.
Casting
For the role of Selina Kyle Hitchcock casts his Rear Window, To Catch A Thief, and Dial M For Murder lead , Grace Kelly .
The Pennsylvania Native was already a big star , and Hitchcock feels she's perfect as The Alluring Socialite and the Cunning Cat Burglar.
The role Of Batman is a bit harder to fill.
Cary Grant passes on the role, weary of wearing tights and a mask , and also feeling he was too old for the role.
Ultimately, Hitchcock's Spellbound lead, Gregory Peck accepts the role as the mysterious yet earnest , Dark Knight.
For the role of the Joker, Hitchcock approaches several actors from Richard Widmark to Ray Milland.
However , it's Vincent Price , who is cast in the role of the Clown Prince of Crime, antagonist of the film.
Shadow Of A Doubt and Nigra actor Joseph Cotten is cast in the role of DA Harvey Dent , for his ability to play both heroes and villains.
The role of Gordon goes to Hollywood leading man Clark Gable , while Strangers On A Train actor Leo G Carroll is cast as Alfred The Butler.
SHADOW OF THE BAT ( 1959)
Director : Alfred Hitchcock
Project History
While Hitchcock had never made a sequel to any of his films, the unexpected hit of The Batman meant that another film was a strong possibility.
Hitchcock would wait a few years before returning to another Batman film .
In 1958, work began on a Sequel to The Batman entitled , Shadow Of The Bat .
Like the original, the film would be in technicolor, and the film would retain the dark roots of the original .
The film was set for release in 1959.
Script
With Shadow Of The Bat falling in between 1958's Vertigo and 1960's Psycho, the screenplay would be the middle chapter in a man's descent into madness.
While the first film chose the Cat as it's central focus, the second film utilizes Vicki Vale as an out of town reporter sent to cover The Trial Of The Century, being the trial of The Joker, following the events of The Batman.
Vale would be doing a cover story on the DA Harvey Dent , and his fight to clean up Gotham .
However , the trial would go sideways once Joker takes the witness stand and douses Dent with a vile of Acid , Permanently scarring a side of his face.
As in the comics, the event drives Dent over the edge and the DA takes up the mantle of Two Face, and vows revenge on Gotham Society.
While he's briefly held in medical observation, he escapes and beings his one man rampage on crime, and anyone who would stand in his way.
Vale has a deep sympathy for Dent , having grown closer to him in the run up to the trial, but it's hard for her to be objective.
When the Batman approaches her for help in finding two face , and bringing him to justice she refuses.
She approaches Millionaire Bruce Wayne to get as much information on Dent as she can, but he seems aloof and distant to her.
Vale even approaches the Penguin, a criminal who Dent tried to put away and who Two Face is now targeting.
All the while Two Face has been watching her from the shadows,
Obsessing over her , and growing increasingly rageful and jealous of her acquaintance with Bruce Wayne, Harvey's formed friend.
Ultimately, Two Face's jealousy gets the better of him and he kidnaps Ms. Vale .
When Batman arrives to save Ms. Vale he's captured .
Once the hero awakens, he realizes that he's being forced to Stand Trial with Vicki , The Joker, and The Penguin , with Two Face as The Prosecutor, Judge, Jury , and Executioner.
The Batman ultimately escapes and battles Two Face which results in his demise .
The film ends with a weeping Vicki kneeling over Harvey's body as the unscarred side of his coin is shown facing upward towards the camera.
Casting
When casting Vicki Vale Hitchcock considered three leading ladies : Vera Miles, Janet Leigh, and Kim Novak .
Having recently worked with Novak in the Haunting Vertigo, Hitchcock felt she was perfect for the role of Vicki Vale.
For the role of the Penguin, Hitchcock went against the comics and instead wanted a more menacing and imposing actor to play the high profile criminal.
As a result, Hitchcock cast On The Waterfront actor Rod Stieger to play the Penguin
JUSTICE LEAGUE ( 1990)
Director : Wolfgang Peterson
Project History
While Superman 4 : The Quest For Peace is a box office and critical failure, Cannon films is still intent on exploiting the Superman property .
However , The Struggling Studio feels that the next Superman film will need a boost beyond just Superman vs Lex yet again.
It's suggested that Cannon make a deal with Warner Brothers to lease out several characters in their DC Library which aren't being used , and to turn Superman 5, into a Justice League Of America film.
With characters like Wonder Woman, Flash, and Aquaman laying dormant or in development hell, the prospect of Canon producing the project , while Warner Brothers reaps the benefits sounds enticing to the studio.
There's a snag However in the negotiations.
Canon Studios also wants the use of Batman as a core member of the team, while Warner Brothers is already producing a Batman film Directed by Tim Burton and Staring Michael Keaton.
The idea of using Keaton is out of the question , and the studio fears that there's a risk of diluting the brand.
However, The Salkind's who are producing the JLA film, suggest that the Batman that they utilize be totally unconnected with the Burton film, thus being part of a different continuity.
To further emphasize this fact , the JLA Batman would work with a teen Robin .
While The Robin character was originally to feature in Burton's film, with the character now cut from the film, the two Batmen would be starkly different.
The JLA film would even give Batman and Robin costumes which were reflective of their comic book counterparts, which would even further separate them from Burton's vision.
WB , still unsure of whether or not a serious Batman film would land with audiences , and still reeling from the Keaton casting backlash, WB hedge their bets ,and lease Batman and Robin to Canon Films for the purposes of a JLA film, in addition to team members Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and The Flash.
With the two studios coming to an agreement , and with the Salkind's producing, plans move underway to find a director to helm the Justice League film.
The Salkind's ultimately choose The Never Ending Story director Wolfgang Peterson to helm the project , with a planned release date of 1990 .
The release date is pushed back from 1989 as an acquiesce to WB, in order for their Batman film , to have the market to itself.
Script
In plot that could have been taken from an episode of The Super Friends cartoon , the Film would revolve around the Lex's Luthor's recruiting supervillains such as Black Manta, The Weather Wizard, Giganta, and the Riddler, to create a board of directors, made up of the " greatest criminal minds" in order vanquish their mutual enemies, and divide the spoils of their activity among themselves.
When this Legion Of Doom begins to hold the world hostage , Superman and Batman would meet for the first time, to devise a strategy , to take down this Legion.
However, the two heroes know that they can't bring down this powerful organization with it's long tentacles, alone.
As a result Superman and Batman journey around the world to recruit different heroes to join their cause .
They recruit Wonder Woman whose working with the UN on ending hunger , The Flash from Central City , and the rumored Prince Of Atlantis , Aquaman.
Peterson saw the film as an epic buddy cop movie that would culminate in a larger than life special effect extravaganza , bigger than any prior Superman film.
The Climatic Battle would pit the JLA against the Legion of Doom in the middle of the Atlantic on the Legion's underwater fortress.
Ultimately, the JLA would succeed in defeating the Legion of Doom, and would commence at what the group labels, the Hall Of Justice, to form their own " United Nations" style assembly of heroes,
With Batman , Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Aquaman serving as founding members of The Justice League
Casting
With Reeve agreeing to reprise the Superman role , and Gene Hackman willing to appear as Lex Luthor, Peterson went about the daunting task of filling out the rest of the massive cast.
For the role of the new Batman and Robin, Peterson casts Platoon's Tom Berenger and Iron Eagle's Jason Gedrick as the dynamic duo.
For the role of Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter is out of the question given that this would be a completely new version.
While many actresses such as Brooke Shields and Terry Farrell are consider, Peterson casts Thornbirds and Against All Odds actress Rachel Ward as the new Wonder Woman.
The next two actors cast in succession are Terminator actor Michael Biehn as the Flash and Rocky 4 and Masters Of The Universe actor Dolph Lundgren as Aquaman.
Filling out the roles of the Legion of Doom is Action Jackson star Carl Weathers as Black Manta, Brad Dourif as The Riddler, Lance Henricksen as The Weather Wizard , and Mad Max 2 actress Virginia Hey as Giganta .
Reception
Coming a Year after Batmania was released Canon's Justice League film generated a far bit of excitement , confusion, and skepticism from fans, the public, and Hollywood.
Given the Canon's reputation for low rent films and corner cutting costs , there was a real question whether the film would be a turkey .
With Keaton's Batman immensely popular with the GA , many questioned why Keaton wasn't Batman , and where Robin suddenly came from .
While other fans, felt disappointed that Lynda Carter would not be reprising her role as Wonder Woman .
However , the dye was cast ,and the film was released in the Summer of 1990 to largely mixed, to negative, reviews
While the film was a living JLA comic brought to the big screen, the film still lacked the scope and grandor ,of Superman The Movie and Batman .
As with Superman 4, the film was trimmed of many exposition scenes , and character moments, in order to give the film a 2 hour run time.
While Berenger and Gedrick surprised many of their doubters as the new Batman and Robin, they were inevitably compared to the sleeker more polished Batman 89.
And while it was the first time debut of many DC characters in live action, or on the big screen , the film was still written off, by many, as a generic ,1980s, man on a mission film, with capes.
Some also felt their were simply too many characters , with very little time to flesh out the heroes and villains , in addition to the new Batman and Robin.
The film ended up making much more than Superman 4, likely due to the remnants of Batmania a Summer earlier.
The film still underperformed what the Salkinds and Canon Films had hoped.
While Warner Brothers regretted leashing out Batman and Robin to Canon, a new Burton Batman movie was already on the way , and the studio felt that the two versions were so distinct , the confusion between them would be unlikely with general audiences.
At the same time however, WB became wary of developing their own Wonder Woman, Flash, and Aquaman films in the near future , due to JL's response.
As for Superman. WB would soon get the rights to do their own film version anyway , which would likely be a be a reboot, by the time Warner Brothers had the property.
MAN OF TOMORROW ( 2016)
Director : Zack Snyder
Producer : Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven
Screenplay : David S Goyer and Jonathan Nolan
Music : Hans Zimmer View attachment 72504
Project History
While Man Of Steel is profitable , online backlash and a mixed critical reception , mean that Zack Snyder and David Goyer will have to course correct for the proposed Man Of Steel 2 sequel.
While WB execs get anxious about introducing characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and the JLA into the sequel, Producer Chris Nolan is adamantly against it and shoots down any suggestion.
While WB is eager to " catch up" with Marvel Studios in creating it's own cinematic universe, they also don't want to risk burning bridges with Chris Nolan, given their successful partnership with him.
Ultimately , the studio swallows hard , and allows Snyder and The Nolan Brothers to make a proper sequel to MOS .
While Snyder isn't given creative carte blanche this time around, Chris Nolan serves as a strong deterrent to the potential studio interference .
With David Goyer and Jonathan Nolan returning to the scripting duties, MOS 2 begins production in 2014 with a Fall 2016 release date.
Scripting
With the specter of other superheroes stealing the spotlight , gone, The writers begin to craft a story centering around the fallout of Superman's emergence and his battle with Zod in Metropolis.
Specifically, how the emergence of Superman , and the battle of Metropolis , polarizes its citizens .
On one extreme is the film's central Antagonist , Lexcorp CEO Lex Luthor , who blames Superman for the destruction of Metropolis and see's him as a genuine threat to Humanity, while at the same time, also envying the power he has and the ability to shape the world.
Lex feels that Metropolis needs it's own counter balance and check on Superman in the form of cybernetic enhancements for a potential army of humans ready to stand against the Man Of Steal.
The Cybernetic enhancements are powered by a mysterious meteor rock which Lex has secretly acquired , and which he theorizes could be Superman's weakness : Kryptonite.
It's called The Man Of Tomorrow program .
The secondary Antagonist , is John Corbin, a War Hero , who is gravely wounded during the battle of Metropolis while saving a child .
Corbin, like Lex , blames Superman for the chaos and destruction that killed so many and which leaves him an amputee .
When Lex see's his story on the news , he enlists Corbin as a test subject in his Man Of Tomorrow program , and plans on using him as a weapon against Superman.
On the other end of the Superman cultural wars, is Daily Planet photographer , James Olsen, also wounded in the battle for Metropolis .
He sees Superman as a force for good and believes the world needs Superman.
Olsen is portrayed as an idealistic young man , who idolizes the Man Of Steel and see's him as a role model, much to Clark's gratefulness.
Meanwhile, Clark fashions a new persona as a reporter often playing a straight laced , aloof , and obtuse intellectual .
Lois plays along with act , while laughing to herself .
The two see each other in secret , while Superman becomes a much larger staple of Metropolis, and becomes the Superman we all know and love.
Casting
With Much of the leads and supporting cast from MOS returning , the new casting is limited to the roles of Lex , Metallo and Olsen.
While Breaking Bad actor Bryan Crantson is rumored to be the number one choice of director Zack Snyder, he instead casts House Of Cards actor Corey Stoll , to play the iconic villain.
Snyder feels Stoll has the perfect amount of Charm, Intelligence, Menace, yet Vulnerability, to convey the complicated psyche of Superman's arch nemesis.
Damien Lewis, who also tried out for Lex is given the role of Metallo, after Nolan and Roven are impressed with his audition.
The role of James Olsen ends up going to UK actor Thomas Brodie Sangster , whose boyish looks and warm demeanor seem like a perfect match for the kid brother aspect of Jimmy Olsen.
Jena Malone is also added to the cast in a smaller role as shock jock Leslie Willis whose anti Superman diatribes fill the air waves and add to the polarization among the Metropolis citizenry.
Reception
With much of Fandom still divided over MOS , it's sequel receives a much better reception and critically , it's marked improvement over it's predecessor.
The film ends up receiving a 73 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with most critics, liking it , and meeting with a much more positive reaction from the GA.
Fans , Critics, and Audiences approve the much more hopeful and adventurous tone of the film , and Cavill's Superman , which is portrayed as a much more charming and optimistic figure, as met with a much better reception than the previous iteration of his Superman.
Ultimately , the course correction proves fruitful with the film grossing 750 million at the US box office.
While not a billion dollar film, the film is nevertheless profitable , and eases WB impatience in using the film as a jump off point ,for spin offs.
Instead ,the plan is to move forward with MOS 3 ,and make individual solo films of it's other library of characters , with a potential crossover in the 2020s.
THE LAST KRYPTONIANS ( 2018)
Director : Christopher McQuarrie
Screenplay : David Goyer
Producer : Charles Roven
Project History
With Man Of Tomorrow a hit , WB greenlights a third Superman film, however, Zack Snyder decides to take a back seat for the third film, and hands the reigns to director Christopher McQuarrie.
David Goyer has already been working on a rough draft of a third entry , which would involve Supergirl, Cadmus, and feature Brainiac and Sam Lane, as the films antagoinists.
The film beings production in 2017 for a July 2018 release date.
Plot
Taking Place two years after Man Of Tomorrow, Superman has become a global figure of hope and justice around the world .
With the Luthor Empire in shambles, and Lex behind bars , In the eyes of Cadmus , Superman remains an unchecked god , with no real opposition.
However , the secret governmental organization, led by General Sam Lane , has an ace up it's sleeve.
Decades ago, they discovered the body of a Kryptonian female , who was frozen beneath the ice in the arctic.
As it would turn out, this being was Earth's first contact with extraterrestrial life, but her existence has been kept secret from the public, for decades.
For years , she's been an experiment, whose been raised at Cadmus labs by General Sam Lane , and under the watchful eye of Government scientist , Milton Fine.
Lane would be something of a father figure to her in the film , paralleling his own complicated relationship with Lois .
Yet General Lane see's the gentle, but powerful Kara, is a potential check, should Superman get out of line.
Meanwhile ,Dr. Fine has also grown attached and protective of the being known as Kara , much to Lane's dismay .
The lid is blown off of Cadmus's secret when the alien being known as Brainiac arrives on Earth seeking out the last Kryptonians .
As Brainiac takes over Dr. Fine, he now has a human host , which brings him even closer to one of his targets .
Kara after she escapes Brainiac's clutches in Cadmus Labs , and finds herself on the evening news under attack by the US military.
The script would feature a budding romance between Kara and Jimmy Olsen , as Olsen hides her from Brainiac and the Authorities , echoing the events of Man Of Steel.
The pair have a young love on the run type of dynamic as Clark searches for Kara, Brainiac wants Superman and Kara, and General Lane wants them all.
All the while, Lois and Clark's relationship has reached a new level, as Kent plans on proposing to her , and meeting her Father, General Lane.
Superman will be forced to protect his last living relative from not just Brainiac, who has a unsettling past with Jor El, but from the man who will be his father in law , and who see's him as a threat to national security.
Throughout the film Lois discovers she is pregnant , and finds herself caught between the man she loves and the father who will do anything to protect her.
Characters like Martha Kent and General Swanwick would continue to play smaller supporting roles.
BATMAN II ( 1992)
Director : Brian DePalma
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Sam Hamm
Project History
With Batman 1989 a global sensation , a second film was inevitable .
However, Burton's involvement in it was up in the air .
The young director had never done a sequel to his films and he was bored by the idea of returning to direct another Batman film.
While the studio tried various ways to entice Burton to return, ultimately, he declines and is at peace with walking away from The Batman.
With Burton now gone, it's up to producer Jon Peters to search for a new director to helm the next Batman film.
With alot of money on the line, and the pressure to outperform the last film , Peters and Studio execs feel that the next director should be established.
They wanted a director with blockbuster experience as opposed to a novice or journeyman filmmaker who would need on the job training.
Peters circles back to John McTiernan who was considered for the first film , but he turns down the offer.
Evil Dead director Sam Raimi expresses interest , but the young director doesn't have a strong track record.
Peters even briefly entertains the idea of David Lynch given his own unique vision.
However, a meeting with Lynch ultimately ends with no agreement as the director would prefer to have creative control and do his own version of Batman, unrelated to the first film.
With the script already shaking out to lean into the crime drama thriller aspect , Peters swings for the fences and approaches Brian DePalma .
DePalma had experience directing a wide variety of films from the supernatural horror of Carrie, To the crime Epic Scarface, to the erotic thriller Body Double , which made him an ideal candidate to replace Burton for the highly anticipated Batman 2 .
DePalma is skeptical at first , but when pitched the general story of Batman 2 , he becomes interested.
DePalma eventually agrees to direct Batman 2 .
While DePalma wants to keep the stylized 30s and 40s art deco look and feel , he wants his film to have much more of a grounded noir feeling as opposed to the more over the top
antics of the first film .
DePalma saw Batman as the classic , conflicted and haunted noir hero who operates in a world of grays , double crosses, and blurred lines.
Peters signs off on DePalma's vision and the film begins production in 1991 for a 1992 release date.
Script
Sam Hamm had returned to draft the second Batman film , but his script would go through rewrites and dramatic changes .
The Raiders Of The Lost Arc like subplot is dropped completely as is Vicki Vale .
The Script still Contains Penguin and Catwoman, but Two Face is now added as the third anagnoist.
Robin is also featured in the script , with much of his back story taken from the Jason Todd character as opposed to Dick Grayson.
The film involves the transformation of the Dashing DA Harvey Dent into two Face at the hand of Mob Boss Oz " The Penguin" Cobblepot , who in this script
Is a John Gotti like figure , whose always one step ahead of the law and is a teflon Don of the Gotham underworld .
Like Al Capone, he runs in high society circles despite his odvious criminal Empire .
Despite disfiguring Dent in front of a courtroom of People. Cobblepot is not charged and is acquitted of all charges in the case.
When Dent is transformed into the villionous Two Face, the former DA considers himself Judge , Jury, and executioner , and targets The Penguin and The Bat for not stopping him.
Catwoman, as Hamm's previous drafts, is a high society socialite who works for Oz commiting highstake burglaries and heists , and is under The Penguin thumb , always at risk of being exposed to the authorities
She inevitably finds herself caught between The Dark Knight and The Penguin , and in the target sights of Two Face .
Meanwhile Robin aka The Kid is a 16 year old street hustler from a broken home, whose father was murdered by the Penguin years ago in from of The Kid's eyes
The Kid was going to testify against Cobblepot in court before the Penguin threw acid on half of his face while on the witness stand.
Bruce knows The Kid is still marked , and could still take Cobblepot down for Murder.
Bruce identifies with the teen and knows he'll need a place to hide from the Penguin and his thugs.
As Batman he searches for the youth but the kid fights him and runs, fearing The Dark Knight may be in cohoots with the Penguin.
Ultimately , it's up to The Batman to stop his old friend Dent's rampage of revenge, while at the same time convince the ambigious Catwoman, and cunning Kid , to help him bring down the Penguin once and for all .
In the end ,
Two Face and Penguin both end up parishing together , ending their Holmes and Moriarty like feud once and for all,
While the Catwoman is in the wind , making off with the Penguin's fortune as his empire collaspes.
The kid ends up helping Batman to stop Two Face and Penguin , and Bruce adopts him , in hopes of giving the kid a decent future.
However, it soon becomes clear to Bruce the kid has bigger plans in mind, and wants to fight crime like his new adoptive father.
Casting
Though Burton exits the project, Keaton decides to remain on due to the noir script and with the desire to work with DePalma.
For the role of Two Face, DePalma wants to go with a younger actor than Billy Dee Williams .
He Wants a dynamic and charismatic star who can turn from the charming DA to the cold blooded psychopath Two Face.
DePalma casts Denzel Washington of Cry Freedom and Glory as Two Face .
For the role of Penguin, DePalma casts Home Alone and Goodfellas actor , Joe Pesci, believing he can bring the right amount of charm and menace to the mob oriented version of the classic character.
For the role of Catwoman, many of Hollywood's biggest actresses vie for the part including Lena Olin, Linda Hamilton, and Susan Sarandon.
However, DePalma see's Selina as a younger , scrappier fatale with a the look of Audrey Hepburn and grit and spunk of Lauren Bacall.
DePalma feels Ghost's Demi Moore is the perfect fit for a younger more shiftier Catwoman, to contrast with Keaton's older Batman.
For the role of The Kid , many of Hollywood's young heart throbs audition for the part , But DePalma ultimately goes with 18 year old Stephen Dorff to play the future Robin , after seeing the film The Power Of One .
CATWOMAN ( 1995)
Director : Tim Burton
Producer : Jon Peters
Screenplay : Daniel Waters and Andrew Kevin Walker
Project History
Plans for a Catwoman solo film were in the works shortly after the release of Batman Returns (1992).
Despite the film's polarizing reaction, Burton is still intent on producing a Catwoman spin off film .
By 1993 , the project begins to pick up steam as Tim Burton decides to direct the film himself , with Jon Peters producing.
Though Batman Returns scribe Daniel Waters writes the first draft, Burton is not satisfied and enlists screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker to take some story elements of Water's script,
And tell a whole new story .
While Joel Schumacher has now taken helm of The Batman Franchise, Burton intends for Catwoman to be it's own thing, totally unrelated to the new Keaton-less Batman film.
Shooting for the film begins in New York and Los Angeles in 1994, with an eye for a Christmas 1995 release date.
Plot
Taking place three years after Batman Returns, Selina Kyle , has lived a transient life style , moving from town to town, city to city, still haunted by the past, and by the Bat.
She hasn't been the Catwoman since she's left Gotham , but occasionally that Cat side of her would spring into action throughout her journeys.
Whether it would be stealing from the cash register where she worked, or beating the living daylights out of a would be mugger, or cop who asked too many questions,
The Catwoman was still inside her, and she could only occasionally keep her suppressed.
She makes her way back to her home , a fictional city based on Phoenix Arizona and Nevada where her mother , oblivious to the radical changes in Selina's life,
is distant and judgmental about her life choices when she returns home .
When Selina acknowledges to her that she was " fired " by her " late boss " her mother makes it clear she won't do her any favors, and insists she gets a job the city ,and pay rent if she wants to stay with her.
It's clear there is alot of baggage between Selina and Her mother, and their dysfunctional relationship plays a major part of the film's story.
Selina ultimately decides to get her old highschool, summer job ,as a waitress back, and to takes night classes at the local College ,where she befriends college junior Holly Robinson.
At the same time, Selina's life is turned upside down when she runs into her childhood sweetheart and former Fiancée , whose now settled down with another woman.
Before Bruce, he was the one who got away , and he was the main reason she left home to start a life in Gotham .
Now that she's back , and he's still there, old feelings return between the two of them , further shaking her already damaged psyche.
As Selina tries to restart a life in her hometown , it isn't long before trouble begins to follow her .
Her once idyllic home town is now like a supped up Pottersville from Its A Wonderful Life (1946) .
The police are apathetic , a violent and random crime is something the people in her town have gotten used to.
Meanwhile, a Thelma and Louise- like Duo, in the form of Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, have engaged in a crime wave in her hometown, and have constantly beaten and humilated law enforcement.
The deadly pair happened to be Selina's botany ,and psychology professors, Pamela Isley and Harleen Quinzel .
Eventually, through stress of holding down a job and school, the pressure of living up to her mother's standards, and her developing feelings for her ex ,The Catwoman re-emerges with a vengeance ,which puts her on the radar of Ivy and Harley .
When they offer to join her them , Catwoman refuses , claiming she doesn't play well with others .
The result is a battle with the two ladies which doesn't end well for Catwoman , who underestimates Harley's fighting skills and ruthlessness, and soon falls under Ivy pheromone trance.
Beaten and hallucinating she relives the pain of walking away from Bruce and the pain of seeing her Ex with his new wife .
Once again, Selina must overcome her past pain in order to not only protect herself , but save those she cares about : Holly, Her Mom, and her Ex, who soon become targets when Harley and Ivy Learn of The Catwoman's true identity.
This time, Catwoman will have to be more than a thief, chaos maker, and anti hero.
This time, she'll have to be a protector.
Casting
With Michelle Pfeiffer ready and willing to delve deeper into Selina Kyle Psyche , the crucial roles of Ivy, Harley, and Holly need to be filled.
For the role of Poison Ivy, Burton Originally considers Geena Davis, but decides to go with his original choice for Catwoman , Annette Bening instead.
For the role of Harley Quinn Burton casts his Ed Wood (1994), female lead, Sarah Jessica Parker .
While Burton originally has Christina Ricci in mind for Holly, when Winona Ryder expresses interest in the role, the part is aged up , and Ryder signs on.
For the role of Selina's Ex , Burton casts Billy Baldwin hot off of his hit Backdraft (1994) , and at the suggestion of Joel Schumacher , who strongly considered him to take over the cowl from Keaton.
Finally, For the role of Selina's hard edged mother, Burton casts Silver Screen veteran Lauren Bacall as Maria Kyle.
The Cast
Catwoman / Selina Kyle : Michelle Pfeiffer
Poison Ivy / Dr. Pamela Isley : Annette Bening
Harley Quinn / Harleen Quinzel: Sarah Jessica Parker
Hal and Ollie have always had their disagreements
But when Dinah is accused of killing a Lantern
These emerald knights, will take the gloves off
With their friends and enemies , in the crossfire
GREEN LANTERN VS GREEN ARROW ( 1999)
Director : Rob Cohen
What kind of arcs would you give to Parasite, Livewire and Metallo? I liked in TAS the surprising development of Parasite kind of reforming, making deal against worse villain and mellowing out, then it was OK but fairly disappointing that he then teamed up with Livewire and was just completely defeated and incapacitated.
Parasite and Livewire coming to regret their actions and accept some punishment and Metallo hating his condition and yet feeling no remorse for his actions could be good contrast.
JOHN CARPENTER'S : BATMAN ( 1987)
Director : John Carpenter
Producer : Debra Hill
Project History
As various Batman screenplays are written throughout the 1980s , and the project seems no closer to getting off the ground , Halloween director John Carpenter expresses interest in writing a directing a Batman film , with an edge to it .
Like Michael Uslan, Carpenter would like to return the character to the darker and more serious origins of the character .
Debra Hill and John Carpenter pen a script , with hill serving as Producer.
Compass International Pictures, will produce and distribute the film , while Carpenter serves as the films the Director.
Script
The Hill and Carpenter Batman story is a mix of Assault on Precinct 13 and Escape From New York, as several of The Bat's enemies, including vicious criminals, escape Arkham Asylum,
and descend on Gotham city , and it's up to the Batman , The Catwoman, and a street punk , and a Harden Cop , to save the city .
While the film features Carpenter's trademark humor and wise cracks, The film also maintains the foreboding tone of his film Prince Of Darkness.
Carpenter plans on filling the roles with actors he's worked with Kurt Russell Carpenter's only choice as Batman, and Jamie Lee Curtis as The Catwoman.
JUSTICE LEAGUE ( 2007)
Director : Christopher Nolan
Producer : Charles Roven
Screenplay : Jonathan Nolan and David Goyer
Music : Hans Zimmer
Project History
In the aftermath of Batman Begins and Superman Returns, Warner Brothers is determined to establish a shared , interconnected, cinematic universe .
While WB had previously commissioned a Batman vs Superman script , the studio now feels the key to a shared universe is Justice League film .
Christopher Nolan , however, is dismayed by these developments , fearing it will interfere with his vision for Batman and his future adventures.
At the same time, Nolan wants sole use of the character while he maps out and films his trilogy.
However, with an anxious and determined WB barreling toward a Justice League film, Nolan feels that he must cut them off at the pass .
Nolan approaches the studio heads with an unlikely proposition .
Nolan volunteers to write and helm a Justice League film with Batman Begins as the first film in a Nolan lead , cinematic universe.
Nolan would cast the first members of the JLA , and future filmmakers would direct their solo films.
Nolan , while not keen on a shared universe, would rather have a creative reign of the future of his Batman , while at the same time , creating a template in which his Batman and other DC characters, could successfully co-exist.
WB agrees to allow Nolan to take control of the project , and the film is set for a Summer 2007 release.
Screenplay
Jonathan Nolan and David Goyer decide to limit the team members to five : Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and The Flash .
The screenplay see's the founding members of the team unite to take on Industrialist Maxwell Lord, and his feared muscle ,Slade Wilson, who would turnout to be a former member of The League Of Shadows, thus picking up a hanging thread from Batman Begins.
Nolan and Goyer would shy away from more well established villains like Luthor, Brainiac, Darkseid, and the Legion Of Doom, in order for future filmmakers to exploit those characters in their individual films.
At the same time , Chris Nolan , wants the film to remain an Earth Bound, globetrotting adventure , with the Bond films as a template .
Casting
With Bale already returning as Bruce Wayne , it's up to Chris Nolan to fill out the rest of the cast.
For the role of Clark Kent , Chris Nolan casts Josh Hartnett, who he originally wanted for Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins.
For the role Diana Prince, Charlize Theron beats out several of Hollywood's biggest actresses , and signs on in the iconic role.
For The Role of Hal Jordan , Chris Nolan Casts Matt Damon, an actor Nolan is interested in working with.
And finally , For the Role of Barry Allen, Nolan casts Batman runner up Hugh Dancy , as the team's youngest member.
When casting the roles of Slade Wilson and Maxwell Lord , Chris Nolan casts his Prestige lead Hugh Jackman and his Memento lead Guy Pearce , respectively.
The rest of the cast is made up of Nolan Alums , including Rebecca Hall as Lois Lane, Piper Perabo as Iris West , and Michael Caine as Alfred.
Maxwell Lord ,
Sees himself as a God
And now ,
He's created to be the perfect weapon
And It will take the world's greatest heroes To stop it ,
From destroying us all
THE LEAGUE (1989)
Director : John McTiernan
Producer : Steven Spielberg
Music : James Horner
Screenwriters : Bob Gale , Nicholas Meyer and Lawrence Kasdan
The Cast
The Cast
Superman : Billy Campbell
Batman : Alec Baldwin
Flash : Matthew Modine
Green Lantern : Dennis Quaid
Aquaman : Dolph Lundgren
Wonder Woman : Rachel Ward
Green Arrow : Patrick Swayze
Martian Manhunter : Louis Gossett Jr.
Maxwell Lord : Michael Douglas
Amazo : Vincent Klyn
Professor Ivo : Sidney Poitier
Alfred Pennyworth : John Gielgud
Lois Lane : Courteney Cox
Project History
By the early 90s, Warner Brothers is still struggling to get a Batman film off the ground after a series of scripts and directors cycle through the project.
The Hollywood churning out its fair share of cop, sci-fi, karate, and action films , the market place seems ripe for a serious interpretation of The Batman legend.
However , after nearly 20 years in development, no one seems to have the right approach to the character.
In walks director and writer Martin Scorsese , who, in 1992 is, offered the Batman directing spot by WB studios.
In the beginning, he promptly rejects the idea of being associated with a comic book film , let alone Batman , who was last seen by audiences in the campy 60s series.
However, The Studio offers him the opportunity again in 1993 , in desperation for a proven filmmaker to tackle the project.
This time , Scorsese excepts the role of director, but in order to due so , he demands full creative control of the project , without studio mandates.
The main sticking point is his desire for an R Rated Batman film , while WB wants at least a PG-13 level project .
After alot of wrangling, WB ultimately gives into Scorsese's wishes .
Production begins in 1994, with Scorsese shooting the film exclusively in Manhattan, and parts of Upstate New York .
The film plans to be released in December of 1995 .
Screenplay
Scorsese wants the film to be in essence, a Batman Biopic spanning from the killing of Thomas and Martha Wayne in the 1950s,
To Batman's first appearance in Gotham in the late 70s , through his adoption, and Death of Robin in the 80s,
With the film ending in 1990s , with Bruce facing Bane and overcoming his demons, to continue his crusade as The Batman .
Like his film Goodfellas, Bruce Wayne's story would be told through his own narration , including montages of the dark knight's career, and the script would feature songs from the late 1950s through the 1980s.
The film would feature darker takes on Batman characters such as Joker, The Riddler , Catwoman and Penguin , while featuring the antagonist Two Face, who mirrors The Batman's own struggles between justice and vengeance.
The script also featured graphic violence , and the darker sides of Bruce Wayne, and the villains psyche .
Robin, who in this script is Jason Todd is a parallel to the young Bruce we meet at the beginning of the film, and is a tragic example of the type of vigilante Bruce could have become.
Meanwhile Catwoman, serves as an example of the passion and freedom that the character denies himself , and the tension between wanting her but denying her serves as a constant theme of the film .
Overall , the Joker serves as the primary antagonist of the film , constantly pushing Batman to the limit of his code and his sanity , as Joker gets increasingly close to The Batman's inner circle.
In addition to Gotham's super criminals, The script features drug dealers , gangsters, and lowlifes who turn the technicolor version of Gotham into the decay and stagnation of cities like Manhattan in the 1970s.
I feel like we haven’t done this one properly, so here goes…
After the box office smash of Superman I & II, the Salkinds make plans for another double-header with Superman III for 1983 and Supergirl for 1984. However, their plans hit a snag when director Richard Lester unexpectedly bows out, leaving the producers scrambling to fill the director’s chair to make their summer release.
The decision eventually is made to introduce Supergirl in part III before sending her off into her solo adventure, giving the chance for the two Kryptonian heroes to share the screen.
Relief comes in the form of director Irvin Kershner, hot off of helming The Empire Strikes Back a few years earlier, who opts out of directing a James Bond movie to take on the Man of Steel instead.
Adventure runs in the family
SUPERMAN III: THE SUPERGIRL FROM KRYPTON (1983)
Director: Irvin Kershner
SUPERGIRL: REDUX (1984)
Director: Amy Heckerling
Screenplay by Melissa Matheson, story by David Odell and Curt Swan
Project History:
Writer Melissa Matheson, fresh from the massive success of E.T., is called on to rewrite David Odell’s script, which now must excise the hero’s origin and expand on Kara Zor-El’s double life as both Supergirl and high schooler Linda Danvers.
Multiple directors are courted to helm the ambitious spinoff, with Ron Howard, John Carpenter, and Jeannot Szwarc making the shortlist. The producers ultimately decide to take a chance on Amy Heckerling, hot off the 1982 hit Fast Times at Ridgemont High, to take the reins.
Production commences on Supergirl months before the character takes her first flight on the big screen in Superman III. Fortunately the producers’ gamble pays off, as the third film proves a sizeable hit, with critics praising Helen Slater’s performance and chemistry with Christopher Reeve, while younger viewers are captivated by the young Kryptonian’s heroic debut. Production on the spinoff wraps in August 1983.
Story: Linda “Kara” Danvers, aka Supergirl, is settling into life on Earth with her new family, making new friends, and getting the hang of following in her cousin’s footsteps. While the life of a superhero has its perks, more than anything Kara longs to see Argos and her family again.
Her hopes seem answered when a figure from her past reemerges, promising a way to return home via a powerful Kryptonian artifact. But not all is as it seems in their quest, and dangerous battles and wicked betrayals await as Supergirl must outfox a sorceress and face the ultimate choice between returning to her homeworld and protecting her new world.
The Cast
Helen Slater as Supergirl/Kara Zor-El/Linda Danvers
He left home to get over his ex girlfriend
He's started a new job with an over achiever who hates his guts
His new enemies are a crime boss and a mysterious General All the while, he's got a secret
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