JLA - Fantasy vs. Reality

[Wally West]

The current Batman franchise is firmly based in a real world setting. And it worked wonderfully. But Jla is world full of superheros, aliens, and cosmic threats.How much of a real world tone can you achieve in that setting? I was just wondering how the film would play out, even in terms of costumes...It could turn out ridiculous showing all the members on screen in costume, but I would prefer that to matching black leather suits(which I would think is out of the question) And if the film is based in fantasy, it doesn't have to be campy. Although it's hard to achieve that in Superhero film without it becoming campy.I was just curious of your guys thoughts on the matter. Should they try to ground the film as much as possible or make it as comic-book like as possible?

 

[Manosman]

The current Batman franchise is firmly based in a real world setting. And it worked wonderfully. But Jla is world full of superheros, aliens, and cosmic threats.How much of a real world tone can you achieve in that setting? I was just wondering how the film would play out, even in terms of costumes...It could turn out ridiculous showing all the members on screen in costume, but I would prefer that to matching black leather suits(which I would think is out of the question) And if the film is based in fantasy, it doesn't have to be campy. Although it's hard to achieve that in Superhero film without it becoming campy.I was just curious of your guys thoughts on the matter. Should they try to ground the film as much as possible or make it as comic-book like as possible?

from everything we've heard i think they will go the fantasy route, making it comic-book like, especially since nolan's franchise is grounded in reality,, and i dont think theyll want to p.o. nolan and camp by treading on their ground with a jl batman that is similar to theirs. I think they are going to gear it toward a younger audience, and it wont be very realistic at all.

 

[Wally West]

I might be wrong here, but I don't think WB is frightened of Nolan. I'm sure they respect him and what he has done so far with Batman. But from my understanding the fact that they're even making the film is upsetting to him, and yet it's going to happen regardless of his feelings.

But to avoid confusion this will probably be a different Batman than Bale's. I really hope the film doesn't apeal only to 12 year olds...I really think you can do fantasy tastefully, look at LOTR. Of corse comparing this production to LOTR at this point doesn't make much sense, because alot of the rumors so far have been unsettling to say the least...but for now they are just rumors and we still don't have much concrete news on the project.

 

[dnno1]

The current Batman franchise is firmly based in a real world setting. And it worked wonderfully. But Jla is world full of superheros, aliens, and cosmic threats.How much of a real world tone can you achieve in that setting? I was just wondering how the film would play out, even in terms of costumes...It could turn out ridiculous showing all the members on screen in costume, but I would prefer that to matching black leather suits(which I would think is out of the question) And if the film is based in fantasy, it doesn't have to be campy. Although it's hard to achieve that in Superhero film without it becoming campy.I was just curious of your guys thoughts on the matter. Should they try to ground the film as much as possible or make it as comic-book like as possible?

Why do you need to? I wouldn't quite say that the current Batman Franchise worked wonderfully. If you would note it did not do as well as Tim Burton's "Batman" film.

 

[Jake Cassidy]

Reality is boring. Fantasy is much more exciting.

 

[GL1]

I would enjoy if they could create the illusion of realism, but I don't think they have the guts or brains to pull it off and will have to go with the comic book cliches in order to get all those characters together...

 

[Wally West]

Why do you need to? I wouldn't quite say that the current Batman Franchise worked wonderfully. If you would note it did not do as well as Tim Burton's "Batman" film.

Burton's Batman had a level of excitement that is hard to match because of the caped crusader's absence from the big screen up until that point. Even though there was a small gap between Batman and Robin and Batman Begins, the public is used to Batman movies now. Not to take anything away from that first Burton film though, it's one of my favorites.

 

[Sun_Down]

I think people tend to confuse "realism" with good writing that doesn't insult the audience, and conversely some people confuse "fantasy" with bad, corning writing and poor acting.

It's easy to jump to images of Sky High or Batman and Robin when you were the word "fantasy", but films like Lord of the Rings and the Matrix can be set in entirely unrealistic settings, but still make you believe it because they're so well writen and executed. You can have a movie about superheroes and aliens and whatnot that is serious (when it needs to be), heartfelt and not corny. The problem, of course, is that this is a hard line to walk and JLA might not pull it off.

 

[I Am The Knight]

I think people tend to confuse "realism" with good writing that doesn't insult the audience, and conversely some people confuse "fantasy" with bad, corning writing and poor acting.

It's easy to jump to images of Sky High or Batman and Robin when you were the word "fantasy", but films like Lord of the Rings and the Matrix can be set in entirely unrealistic settings, but still make you believe it because they're so well writen and executed. You can have a movie about superheroes and aliens and whatnot that is serious (when it needs to be), heartfelt and not corny. The problem, of course, is that this is a hard line to walk and JLA might not pull it off.

Good post. Agreed 100% on the bold part.

 

[mego joe]

I think people tend to confuse "realism" with good writing that doesn't insult the audience, and conversely some people confuse "fantasy" with bad, corning writing and poor acting.

It's easy to jump to images of Sky High or Batman and Robin when you were the word "fantasy", but films like Lord of the Rings and the Matrix can be set in entirely unrealistic settings, but still make you believe it because they're so well writen and executed. You can have a movie about superheroes and aliens and whatnot that is serious (when it needs to be), heartfelt and not corny. The problem, of course, is that this is a hard line to walk and JLA might not pull it off.

I think the story line of adapting parts of Sacrifice and the OMAC Project indicates they are trying to take it seriously.