How's the JLA script? I don't know... but it's done.

[odiin]

I am not saying the film is just too much of a gamble that it should never be done... it could work... but yeah if Bale and Routh are in they would need to be written out eventually (like Julia and Zeta in Ocean's 13)... yeah the first film should focus on Superman/Batman founding the team... but regardless, the point I am trying to make is that the JLA should be a multiple picture series... you can't just write everyone into one movie and expect something like Return of the King... it would be closer to a Batman and Robin... I could live with that. I never had a problem with this... but the key is Batman and Supes wouldn't be in for the long haul, but that's a MAJOR problem for obvious reasons...

You' re getting way too into the 3-film trilogy mentality. There's nothing wrong with just doing one movie. You can tell a story just fine in an hour and a half. People have been doing it for a hundred years now. Of course that's not to say that they can't decide to make multiple movies after the fact, and if Brandon and Chris decide not to return for the sequel(s) then that's fine too. The roster in the comic book changes all the time, so it's not weird at all to have people come and go, but at least they had they would have had Chris and Brandon together with everyone for that one movie. If they can get them together in the movie, which by the way they're going forward with the film, it seems that's what they intend to do, then why not do it? There's no point waiting 10 years and recasting the roles if they can actually get the actors together to do it right now.

 

[Justice Bringer]

JLA isnt the best springboard to introduce new Batman and Superman actors; considering theres like 5 other new actors and characters the audience needs to acclimate too as well. Bale and Routh would without a doubt help this film.

 

[FaT_tONle]

You' re getting way too into the 3-film trilogy mentality. There's nothing wrong with just doing one movie. You can tell a story just fine in an hour and a half. People have been doing it for a hundred years now. Of course that's not to say that they can't decide to make multiple movies after the fact, and if Brandon and Chris decide not to return for the sequel(s) then that's fine too. The roster in the comic book changes all the time, so it's not weird at all to have people come and go, but at least they had they would have had Chris and Brandon together with everyone for that one movie. If they can get them together in the movie, which by the way they're going forward with the film, it seems that's what they intend to do, then why not do it? There's no point waiting 10 years and recasting the roles if they can actually get the actors together to do it right now.

That's pretty much exactly what I just said... I would have no problems if that were the case... but a JLA can't be told in an hour and a half and thats just a fact... its too big a universe and too many characters to explore and much too much ground needs to be covered; a hour and a hlaf action flick will not suffice if you really want to portray that epic scope that a JLA should be presented as. It needs to be a multi picture deal regardless of which heroes are featured... so lets just agree to disagree here

 

[FaT_tONle]

JLA isnt the best springboard to introduce new Batman and Superman actors; considering theres like 5 other new actors and characters the audience needs to acclimate too as well. Bale and Routh would without a doubt help this film.

But then again you have to play the other side of the card... will these be the same characters that Nolan and Singer envisioned? Batman teaming up with fellow heroes wouldn't really work in Nolan's universe... things wouldn't be consistent... there are problems with these cross overs no matter which way you spin them.

 

[odiin]

First off I am not offended with a JLA flick... I am not the biggest fan but I have no problem with it... its the direction that they would have to take that concerns me... you are telling me its more likely we will see a JLA than a third Batman installment... if that's the case... then frankly I am terrified by that proposition... yeah I love Batman... and Nolan does envision a third installment... if WB uses that option on Bale then I think a lot of people would be pissed... but I know that isn't going to be the case... I also know BB3 isn't coming out any time soon... 2010/2011 earliest. That means a JLA needs to take a back seat... keep in mind Singer may get a third if MOS is a hit... does WB scrap successful solo franchises for an ensemble? That line of thinking terrifies me... it makes no sense to me whatsoever... so maybe it does tick me off a little... but I know WB won't be that stupid to cut the funding of Nolan and Singer's stories if they are still in the middle of it... and you really think Bale and Routh are going to be playing Superman year in and year out... the actors need at least a two or three year break in between movies... that means a JLA is 2012 earliest... I was off a year I guess.

No one's talking about scrapping any films. They can do 3 Batman films AND the Justice League film. Just because they have a 3 film contract doesn't mean they won't come back for a 4th, or even that the Justice League film will be considered the 3rd film and leave the third Batman film's fate uncertain. It's not un-reasonable to think that they'll be able to get all 4 films out just fine, like I said they've most likely already brought up the idea to the actors, and they're already moving forward with it so they obviously know something we don't.

 

[Ring Deacon]

Okay I will admit I was off on the 500 million dollar mark... but a billion in WW gross??? Get off the crack people cmon... SR barely did 200 million... BB was less than 400 total... you think just putting them in a movie together mean you can just add those numbers together to estimate the WW gross? Thank God you aren't marketing anything for WB...

Spiderman 3 has don well near 900 million worldwide so far. A billion isn't that unrealistic. it is only 100 million more.

 

[odiin]

But then again you have to play the other side of the card... will these be the same characters that Nolan and Singer envisioned... Batman teaming up with fellow heroes wouldn't really work in Nolan's universe... things wouldn't be consistent... there are problems with these cross overs no matter which way you spin them.

Now you're just making up trouble where there is none. Having batman team up with other heroes is as simple as just... doing it. This isn't "Nolan's universe" or "Singer's universe" it's just the Justice League movie. Batman can still be his dark brooding self and it's not going to take anything away from Chris Nolan's films.

 

[FaT_tONle]

No one's talking about scrapping any films. They can do 3 Batman films AND the Justice League film. Just because they have a 3 film contract doesn't mean they won't come back for a 4th, or even that the Justice League film will be considered the 3rd film and leave the third Batman film's fate uncertain. It's not un-reasonable to think that they'll be able to get all 4 films out just fine, like I said they've most likely already brought up the idea to the actors, and they're already moving forward with it so they obviously know something we don't.

So what's your timetable for WB... we are set in 2008 with TDK and the MOS in 2009... BB3 isn't being filmed back to back with TDK... realistically you are looking at 2011. Most sequels like to take the three year gap (the way it should be done). You wanna rush if for 2010 be my guest... but we saw what happens when you rush POTC and the Matrix... Nolan and Bale should have freedom to do things in between... so you are going to have to wait another FOUR years for Nolan to wrap it up... 2012 may seem open... but then you are asking Bale to star in another film as the same character shortly after he finishes three with Nolan. Don't you think the guy needs a break? I mean we are fan boys that think these people have nothing better to do but cmon... 2012 is just too soon. So you are looking at 2013/2014... its gonna be a long wait... sorry to break it to you.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Spiderman 3 has don well near 900 million worldwide so far. A billion isn't that unrealistic. it is only 100 million more.

Spiderman also blew SR out of the water... even Batman pales in comparison... Marvel has the superior and more compelling movie characters... its not my opinion... look at the output of Marvel compared to DC and the numbers. But you people are forgetting Spiderman is the EXCEPTION... Xmen wasn't even close... Spiderman is the diamond in the rough... its a classic... no other comic book movie can touch it... and I am not convinced a JLA can even compete with those numbers

 

[odiin]

Again, I'm not really seeing any problem. Justice League could probably happen anytime between 2009-2011. Possibly even in the same year as Batman 3 It's not that much of a stretch for him to play the same role but in a different film a year or two apart rather than just once every three years. The Lord of the Rings actors filmed all three movies back to back and they were each 3 hours long, so what? Actors act. They're used to going from one film to another. Hell, Jessica Alba, for instance has a total of 6 films that are being released just this year. Like I've said, they're moving on with this and probably already talked to him about it. Christian Bale isn't so lazy that he can't act in one film in 2008, or 2009 and then do the other in 2010. That's at least a year between films. He's a big boy, he doesn't need you looking out for him.

In any case can we PLEASE get back to talking about how cool it is that the Justice League script is finished instead of just going on complaining about what COULD go wrong with this film?

 

[FaT_tONle]

Again, I'm not really seeing any problem. Justice League could probably happen anytime between 2009-2011. Possibly even in the same year as Batman 3 It's not that much of a stretch for him to play the same role but in a different film a year or two apart rather than just once every three years. The Lord of the Rings actors filmed all three movies back to back and they were each 3 hours long, so what? Actors act. They're used to going from one film to another. Hell, Jessica Alba, for instance has a total of 6 films that are being released just this year. Like I've said, they're moving on with this and probably already talked to him about it. Christian Bale isn't so lazy that he can't act in one film in 2008, or 2009 and then do the other in 2010. That's at least a year between films. He's a big boy, he doesn't need you looking out for him.

Please spare me the sarcastic remarks... the bottom line is... most trilogies like to take the three year gap... Star Wars(77-83, 99-05), Oceans (01-07), Xmen (00-06)... and Spiderman had to delay but it was supposed to be 01... doesn't look like Nolan is going too far from that lining up the sequel in 2008... I don't see Bale doing a JLA before finishing Nolan's three... maybe you can keep convincing yourself. But that is just my line of thinking and I'll stick to that.

 

[odiin]

Good. Then we'll agree to disagree and we can end this debate.

 

[Steelsheen]

you know what, given that its WB we're talking about-- the studio notorious for announcing projects but never following up with actual results-- lets observe what Marvel Studios is doing. if Marvel managaes to pull everything together for The Avengers movie, trust that WB will do everything its coffers will allow to pull off a JLA movie. if Marvel folds with the Avengers project, then we can pretty much kiss this live action JLA project goodbye (no matter how good the draft is).

 

[FaT_tONle]

you know what, given that its WB we're talking about-- the studio notorious for announcing projects but never following up with actual results-- lets observe what Marvel Studios is doing. if Marvel managaes to pull everything together for The Avengers movie, trust that WB will do everything its coffers will allow to pull off a JLA movie. if Marvel folds with the Avengers project, then we can pretty much kiss this live action JLA project goodbye (no matter how good the draft is).

Very very good point. WB waited till 05 before rebooting Batman while Marvel was already swinging into gear... I think Marvel will do an Avengers in about 7 years once Iron Man and Hulk and Captain America each have one or two movies under their belt. Then watch WB swing their asses into gear with a JLA shortly there after. But until WB is serious about Flash and WW franchises... I am not gonna take this talk seriously no matter how far the script has come along.

 

[The Guard]

But then again you have to play the other side of the card... will these be the same characters that Nolan and Singer envisioned? Batman teaming up with fellow heroes wouldn't really work in Nolan's universe... things wouldn't be consistent... there are problems with these cross overs no matter which way you spin them.

Why couldn't Nolan's Batman exist with other heroes? You don't have to change the character, just put him in context with the League.

 

[odiin]

you know what, given that its WB we're talking about-- the studio notorious for announcing projects but never following up with actual results-- lets observe what Marvel Studios is doing. if Marvel managaes to pull everything together for The Avengers movie, trust that WB will do everything its coffers will allow to pull off a JLA movie. if Marvel folds with the Avengers project, then we can pretty much kiss this live action JLA project goodbye (no matter how good the draft is).

I really think that Warner Bros has decided to rethink their original plan of how they're releasing comic films after Wonder Woman failed to materialize this year, but unfortunately at this point it's kind of hard to know. I'm only guessing but I think that they really do intend to get this movie out regardless of what's happening with The Avengers just so they can try and finally get the upper hand in the comic book movie market. I mean after all the Avenger's script is still in the early idea stage, whereas the Justice League script is finished with its first draft and they're already looking for a director. I hope that's the case at least, if they intend to stick with their "only 1 film a year, maximum" plan, no matter how well-intentioned it is, then they're just shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Why couldn't Nolan's Batman exist with other heroes? You don't have to change the character, just put him in context with the League.

Its not a huge problem and I didn't make it out to be one.

I really think that Warner Bros has decided to rethink their original plan of how they're releasing comic films after Wonder Woman failed to materialize this year, but unfortunately at this point it's kind of hard to know. I'm only guessing but I think that they really do intend to get this movie out regardless of what's happening with The Avengers just so they can try and finally get the upper hand in the comic book movie market. I mean after all the Avenger's script is still in the early idea stage, whereas the Justice League script is finished with its first draft and they're already looking for a director. I hope that's the case at least, if they intend to stick with their "only 1 film a year, maximum" plan, no matter how well-intentioned it is, then they're just shooting themselves in the foot.

I like the one blockbuster every summer approach... has a good feel to it... Batman one year followed by Supes the next year. That way WB doesn't get bogged down into focuses on too many characters in a span of two or three months. 2010 is still open though. Wonder Woman works in that slot. I think you can stuff Flash/Lantern in 2011/2012... followed by a JLA. Save the smaller profile characters for winter or spring releases.

 

[GreenKToo]

If this is done right they could make some serious $$$ off a J.L. film.
maybe a trilogy type thing.

 

[Steelsheen]

I like the one blockbuster every summer approach... has a good feel to it... Batman one year followed by Supes the next year. That way WB doesn't get bogged down into focuses on too many characters in a span of two or three months. 2010 is still open though. Wonder Woman works in that slot. I think you can stuff Flash/Lantern in 2011/2012... followed by a JLA. Save the smaller profile characters for winter or spring releases.

this was the original plan. BB= 2005, SR= 2006, WW= 2007. but the plan fell through and all of a sudden things got uncomfortably quiet on the WB Superhero front. then one day after Marvel made a bit of noise, WB came up with the news that they've hired writers for JLA.

its not like the ideal plan wasnt thought up of before, its just that in the here and now the ideal 1 movie-1 superhero plan didnt pan out as well as WB have liked, so they're doing the reverse approach. if you think about it carefully, it can work: since Batman and Superman are firmly established in the public consciousness they can help anchor the JLA movie and hire actors for WW, The Flash and The Green Lantern, not just any random actors to fill the roster, but actors that are strong enough to headline a movie on their own when the time comes-- their own characters' movies. the first JLA movie, instead of being a "crowning glory" type for WB superhero movie efforts, wounds up being a springboard for WB's other superhero projects that have stalled. again, its not the ideal situation, but its the most feasible plan.

 

[Ring Deacon]

In a sense JLA could be used to create the stars of tomorrow. You could really look at it as WB's Star Wars. You keep Bale and Routh as your headliners, and throw in a big time leading lady for Wonder Woman. With the trinity of heroes you have your base of characters. With the rest of the roster you don't really have to go with unknowns but you hire lesser known actors and actresses (TV Stars) to play GL, GA, and Flash. this takes care of the payout. And you let the movie make the undercard of heroes into stars. (It worked for X-Men.) If done right they can spin off into there own movies easily, but even if they don't get spin-offs they still have JLA 2, 3 and beyond.

And this is a big point they need to do. Don't have a Super Villian team up. Yes it worked for Challege of the Super Friends but not here. You need some big threat that would force a team up. Maybe Darkside.

 

[odiin]

I like the one blockbuster every summer approach... has a good feel to it... Batman one year followed by Supes the next year. That way WB doesn't get bogged down into focuses on too many characters in a span of two or three months. 2010 is still open though. Wonder Woman works in that slot. I think you can stuff Flash/Lantern in 2011/2012... followed by a JLA. Save the smaller profile characters for winter or spring releases.

I agree, in theory it's a great plan. You don't oversaturate the market so much that people are tired of seeing your films, and you can focus all your energy on making that one film as great as possible, but problems arise when you get to be too cautious and films fail to materialize (Like Wonder Woman) or just the fact that regardless of how much time you spend focusing on just one film, doesn't guarantee that it will be well liked, or even successful . Take SR for instance, I happened to love it but I know a lot of people were underwhelmed and it ended up under performing at the box office. So when the one film you were relying on for all of one year fails to turn much of a profit, and the film you had plan for the year after fails to appear at all and you've wasted that whole year, you know that that plan has a problem, and needs to be re-worked.

Also it would get tricky if and when other franchises are launched. As of now they've only got Batman and Superman, so it's fine but what happens if the Wonder Woman, Flash and maybe even Deadman or say an Aquaman movie is made? Then you have Batman one year, Superman another, Wonder woman the next year, Flash the year after that, then maybe another Batman then Deadman after that and then Superman and then Aquaman, and then Wonder Woman etc... you could end up being forced to wait a loooong time in between films. I think from now on they should do like Marvel Studios is planning and shoot for two films a year. that way you're almost guaranteed to get at least ONE of those films out every year, and it's not like they both have to be big Summer blockbusters either. for example they could do like Superman in the summer and then have something smaller scale like Deadman in the winter. That's the best course of action at this point, I think

 

[FaT_tONle]

I agree, in theory it's a great plan. You don't oversaturate the market so much that people are tired of seeing your films, and you can focus all your energy on making that one film as great as possible, but problems arise when you get to be too cautious and films fail to materialize (Like Wonder Woman) or just the fact that regardless of how much time you spend focusing on just one film, doesn't guarantee that it will be well liked, or even successful . Take SR for instance, I happened to love it but I know a lot of people were underwhelmed and it ended up under performing at the box office. So when the one film you were relying on for all of one year fails to turn much of a profit, and the film you had plan for the year after fails to appear at all and you've wasted that whole year, you know that that plan has a problem, and needs to be re-worked.

Also it would get tricky if and when other franchises are launched. As of now they've only got Batman and Superman, so it's fine but what happens if the Wonder Woman, Flash and maybe even Deadman or say an Aquaman movie is made? Then you have Batman one year, Superman another, Wonder woman the next year, Flash the year after that, then maybe another Batman then Deadman after that and then Superman and then Aquaman, and then Wonder Woman etc... you could end up being forced to wait a loooong time in between films. I think from now on they should do like Marvel Studios is planning and shoot for two films a year. that way you're almost guaranteed to get at least ONE of those films out every year, and it's not like they both have to be big Summer blockbusters either. for example they could do like Superman in the summer and then have something smaller scale like Deadman in the winter. That's the best course of action at this point, I think

But Marvel movies are helmed by different studious... Fox and Sony this year... WB can't finance two major projects in such a short span... like May 4th, then late June/July... first of all WB has no summer release dates till 2010... Avatar, MOS, (couple of other biggies) round up 09... ya there is room in there to squeeze in one more but it ain't worth it... MOS should be the number one priority. If it bombs are then WB is ****ed no doubt... but it will do well. Now for another major project... I think WW could definitely hold its own by itself. If you want Flash/Lantern in 2010 too then hand it over to some other studio so WB doesn't have to go crazy. Or... just scrap the solos... scrap the third installments for Nolan/Singer temporarily... and let them go for an all or nothing JLA in 2011 introducing everybody minus the BIG three right then and there... but thats a stupid move IMO.... but we already talked about that.

 

[FaT_tONle]

this was the original plan. BB= 2005, SR= 2006, WW= 2007. but the plan fell through and all of a sudden things got uncomfortably quiet on the WB Superhero front. then one day after Marvel made a bit of noise, WB came up with the news that they've hired writers for JLA.

its not like the ideal plan wasnt thought up of before, its just that in the here and now the ideal 1 movie-1 superhero plan didnt pan out as well as WB have liked, so they're doing the reverse approach. if you think about it carefully, it can work: since Batman and Superman are firmly established in the public consciousness they can help anchor the JLA movie and hire actors for WW, The Flash and The Green Lantern, not just any random actors to fill the roster, but actors that are strong enough to headline a movie on their own when the time comes-- their own characters' movies. the first JLA movie, instead of being a "crowning glory" type for WB superhero movie efforts, wounds up being a springboard for WB's other superhero projects that have stalled. again, its not the ideal situation, but its the most feasible plan.

I understand the reverse psychology but its a weird move... they shouldn't have let it come to that... look at how Marvel is lining it up... everything fits perfectly...

Iron Man 2008
TIH 2008
C.A 2009
Thor 2009
Invinicible Iron Man??? 2011
TIH 2??? 2011
C.A 2??? 2012
Mighty Thor??? 2012
The Avengers 2014

Marvel also plans to throw in Fury and Ant-Man somewhere in between. Doesn't this format make sense... everyone gets a solo and maybe even a sequel... and the Avengers is in the perfect time slot... why isn't WB modeling something like that? It just goes to show that they have no confidence in these characters... they feared WW would go the way of Elecktra and Catwoman... tell me... if WW was 07 it should've been made... the movie would have begun filming before SR was even out... that goes to show that pre-production completely stalled with the project long before SR disappointed. Fact is... there is still time to get these movies on track... you can fit two solos in 2010, two more in 2011, another two in 2012... and then finish it up with a JLA. Still plenty of time to do this.

Don't get me wrong... I perfectly understand your way of thinking about it... I mean everyone has their own preference of which ones they want to do first. It COULD work going backwards... I just wonder... is a JLA a one time movie and thats it? Or will it have follow ups? If WB intends to dish out sequels you'd be asking Bale and Routh to complete two separate franchises (a lot to ask) If it's a one time movie (no sequels) then going backwards works... but if it bombs... you kill every franchise and every individual spinoff... that's why I think its a stupid high priced gamble.

 

[odiin]

But Marvel movies are helmed by different studious... Fox and Sony this year... WB can't finance two major projects in such a short span... like May 4th, then late June/July... first of all WB has no summer release dates till 2010... Avatar, MOS, (couple of other biggies) round up 09... ya there is room in there to squeeze in one more but it ain't worth it... MOS should be the number one priority. If it bombs are then WB is ****ed no doubt... but it will do well. Now for another major project... I think WW could definitely hold its own by itself. If you want Flash/Lantern in 2010 too then hand it over to some other studio so WB doesn't have to go crazy. Or... just scrap the solos... scrap the third installments for Nolan/Singer temporarily... and let them go for an all or nothing JLA in 2011 introducing everybody minus the BIG three right then and there... but thats a stupid move IMO.... but we already talked about that.

No, remember Marvel studios is doing 2 films a year (not Fox or Sony i'm not talking about them) Next year will be Iron Man and Hulk, the year after Captain America and Thor. Sure it might be too late get 2 out in 2009 but then again it might not be, we'll see, but at least by 2010 they should have a 2 superhero film per year system going.

 

[Binker]

This is good news. But I do have questions about it:

- What superheroes, besides Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman, are in it?

- What's the story about?

- And more importantly, is the script good other than from the heads of WB, like if Latino Review gets it, will it be a good review?

Plus, the only fear I have is the screen time for both Superman & Batman. I keep thinking of X-Men where Wolverine had more screen time than Cyclops and it became like, what the new show is titled as, Wolverine & the X-Men.

I have my own pitch for this film which could throw that fear away, I just need to get into contact with WB and have them listen.

But overall, its a good thing that the script is turned in and the execs like it. Now to get this movie off the ground, before Marvel's Avengers, and above all, get more DC superheroes including those in development hell (i.e. Wonder Woman & Flash) off the ground that will now be sprung from the Justice League film/franchise.