Official Justice League Status Update Thread

[dnno1]

If he is correct here, the casting was one of the reasons J.L. got delayed. Can you imagine the outrage if they went with even worse casting?

http://jam.canoe.ca/Movies/Artists/B/Baruchel_Jay/2008/07/25/6265051-sun.html

Baruchel -- who won't reveal what role he'd signed for, although rumours had him pegged as one of the villains -- was in Australia last December rehearsing when Warner Bros. unceremoniously banished the production to a purgatorial phantom zone. Among probable reasons why? The toxic buzz the League movie -- despite being helmed by The Road Warrior's legendary George Miller -- was generating online.
With neither big-screen Batman Christian Bale nor Superman Brandon Routh on-board, fanboys balked at the decision to recast young unknowns as those spandex-clad icons. "Everyone on the Internet was hating our movie," Baruchel says. "But you know us cast members were psyched that everybody was gunning for us because it would have only meant people would have been blown away that much more. We knew the bulk of the detractors would have been silenced."

According to what has been published, JL was delayed by the Writers strike and the change of filming venue. It wasn't delayed for casting.

 

[The Major]

And Watchmen has a guy called Billy Crudup. That doesn't mean proper marketing and hype can't outdo funny/unknown names and propell a movie to a new B.O record.

Carla Gugino is another great addition to that cast.

 

[dnno1]

When Warner distributes the movie itself in every nation, domestic or foreign has the same weight.

He's right about that. Nowadays in a lot of films have foriegn grosses that are almost as much as the domestic. In any case today's foriegn take is very significant expecially since the dollar is a lot weaker than it was maybe 10 years ago.

 

[Showtime]

Ever heard of globalization? Warner Bros spending millions of dollars in advertising in USA means that all the newspapers in the world will talk about that movie. The marketing campaign are thought globally, with some minor local adjustment.
For example WB didn't spend that much in Italy for the launch of "The Dark Knight" because they knew that Batman movies do not make great money here and the summer releases don't either. So they didn't invest that much here hoping the press and word of mouth coming from the USA will sell the movie. It's making Iron Man numbers, half the "I am legend" money.

They still have to front up 100% of the money if they are a lone distributor though Nello. Obviously we aren't talking pure profit here so they are responsible for any cost that arises and they are soley responsible. It doesn't matter what happened in one scenario with Dark Knight in Italy. If you want to look at things at a case by case basis we can always throw out some examples of movies that got killed on foreign profit because of the above fees and other issues that ate into their profit.

Well, I work in a production company. I used to be a critic, so maybe I am a "movie" guy.I think the concept (and the storyline they choosed to adapt) is so strong that it could be a success, no matter the actors. The Miller version was going to be visually interesting, with Semler, Patterson and WETA on board, and with those elements a trailer at least would have been great looking. That would have shut all the bad buzz about the Teen League.Sure they could have been more clever in casting the big two, so avoiding most of the bad buzz.See how many people were won over by the Watchmen trailer just because it looks good.

Well as a former critic, would you judge a movie based on a trailer, or would you see it? You would see it. So this theory that the movie would score big just because it is "7 Friends" is just as bad as saying the movie would be bad because Arnie Hammer is Batman. Same difference.

 

[dnno1]

I don't think they would bother to make trailers if people weren't inspired to go after viewing them.

 

[Showtime]

I don't think they would bother to make trailers if people weren't inspired to go after viewing them.

Talking about judging a movie, not what gets people in the door, if that wasn't clear for you from my above comment.

 

[Spade]

I'm interested in seeing how this Countdown to Infinite Crisis angle would play out if this gets made. It comes down to who they kill off and how they approach this Batman. If this follows the Crisis storyline, they could even have Bale's Batman in a sequel if they can't get write him into the first.

 

[Antonello Blueberry]

They still have to front up 100% of the money if they are a lone distributor though Nello. Obviously we aren't talking pure profit here so they are responsible for any cost that arises and they are soley responsible. It doesn't matter what happened in one scenario with Dark Knight in Italy. If you want to look at things at a case by case basis we can always throw out some examples of movies that got killed on foreign profit because of the above fees and other issues that ate into their profit.

I'm not talking of a single scenario. Do you think that all the major companies like Sony, Fox, Universal and Warner are crazy? Because they all opened distribution branches in most of the nations of the world. And today thanks to the globalization, they can save lots of money.
The website for the movie, can easily be translated and adapted for every nation. The MTV behind the scene special will get aired in all the MTV stations around the world. The rumor about Keanu Reeves as Doctor Manhattan that today is on Ain't it cool will be on most of the movie websites tomorrow and probably even some newspapers.
They spend less money and they eat the whole pie.

Well as a former critic, would you judge a movie based on a trailer, or would you see it? You would see it. So this theory that the movie would score big just because it is "7 Friends" is just as bad as saying the movie would be bad because Arnie Hammer is Batman. Same difference.

I don't judge a movie by the trailer, but a trailer will sell the big concept behind the movie and start the hype.
People don't flock to the theaters, especially in the first w-end, for the quality if the movie, but based on the hype.
And I'd bet the 200 millions of the budget (if I had them) that the movie would be a success no matter what.

 

[Showtime]

I'm not talking of a single scenario. Do you think that all the major companies like Sony, Fox, Universal and Warner are crazy? Because they all opened distribution branches in most of the nations of the world. And today thanks to the globalization, they can save lots of money.

The website for the movie, can easily be translated and adapted for every nation. The MTV behind the scene special will get aired in all the MTV stations around the world. The rumor about Keanu Reeves as Doctor Manhattan that today is on Ain't it cool will be on most of the movie websites tomorrow and probably even some newspapers.
They spend less money and they eat the whole pie.

They can save a lot of money but they are still fronting 100% of the bill, and there are fees in the tens of millions of dollar Antonello? Thanks to globalization things can be cheaper but if the movie doesn't do well then it is a bit hit for the studio. Where as if you have multiple distributors, that loss is covered, ie Superman Returns costing Legendary Pictures 50 Million. Also, when did I say any of those companies were crazy? Your acting as if "globalization" means 100% pure profit for the studio if they are the lone distributor. Was WB crazy for dropping that 50 Million on Legendary's lap with Superman Returns?

I don't judge a movie by the trailer, but a trailer will sell the big concept behind the movie and start the hype.People don't flock to the theaters, especially in the first w-end, for the quality if the movie, but based on the hype.And I'd bet the 200 millions of the budget (if I had them) that the movie would be a success no matter what.

A trailer might sell the concept, but when people come in and see what it really is, that is when bad word of mouth sets in. IF the movie is indeed a "trailer movie".

 

[The Major]

I'm interested in seeing how this Countdown to Infinite Crisis angle would play out if this gets made. It comes down to who they kill off and how they approach this Batman.

The only JL member who would make sense to kill off would be Barry Allen to pass the mantle to Wally.

The rest have franchises which are to vulnerable to be killed off immediately.

If this follows the Crisis storyline, they could even have Bale's Batman in a sequel if they can't get write him into the first.

From what I gather the only story lines from the comics they're adapting is Tower of Babel and they'll only adapt the OMAC and Max Lord elements from Countdown. Infinite Crisis won't be involved.

 

[dnno1]

As I said Batman is only one reason why it worked.

They need to apply the same or similar ideas to fit the other franchises they're adapting when they get their own solo films.

In the films it was always Batman's villains that made the movie not Batman only.

WB needs to use their resources to allow their lesser comic franchises to have the same build in support. They definitely need to show why Hollywood should be interested in adapting their own comic franchises.

That could take a long time. If you look at the most successful comic book film franchises, you will see that they spent almost 30 years nurturing the public into the characters through several media (mainly comic books, toys, and television). I don't know if you would want to wait that long of a solo film to happen if you could just come out with a film like Justice League, which is already at that level.

 

[The Major]

In the films it was always Batman's villains that made the movie not Batman only.

A hero is only as good as their villains.

Batman can be a truly interesting character. Its good that Nolan is finally exploring it.

That could take a long time. If you look at the most successful comic book film franchises, you will see that they spent almost 30 years nurturing the public into the characters through several media (mainly comic books, toys, and television). I don't know if you would want to wait that long of a solo film to happen if you could just come out with a film like Justice League, which is already at that level.

I'd rather WB use that approach that risk several film franchises at once.

WB should have started this a long, long time ago.

 

[dnno1]

A hero is only as good as their villains.

Batman can be a truly interesting character. Its good that Nolan is finally exploring it.

That's true, and different from what you said before:

As I said Batman is only one reason why it worked...

You changing your story now?

I'd rather WB use that approach that risk several film franchises at once.

WB should have started this a long, long time ago.

Too bad they didn't have the Internet around for us to use 30 years ago or we would have told them sooner.

 

[The Major]

That's true, and different from what you said before

You changing your story now?

One does not contradict the other.

Batman can be interesting to watch when done right, so can his villains. Just like any other franchise.

Both being done would give the movies better chances to succeed.

Too bad they didn't have the Internet around for us to use 30 years ago or we would have told them sooner.

A solution that obvious shouldn't require the internet to figure it out.

 

[Showtime]

http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/08/13...d-max-4-and-justice-league-in-pre-production/

Last we head, a big screen adaptation of Justice League might not be as dead as we first believed. /Film reader Alex Litel stumbled across the website for Dr. D Studios, a Australian-based “digital media company” formed by Omnilab Media Group and filmmaker George Miller. The website not only lists Happy Feet 2 as being “In Production” and Babe 3, Fury Road and Justice League of America being in “Pre-Production”. The company is actually at the Siggraph conference this week “actively hiring” for “several large scale film projects with a growing team of top talent from Australia and beyond.” The following quote also appears in a press release for the company’s Siggraph booth

 

[Showtime]

...and here you go...

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5319&Itemid=99

Changing gears for a sec, let's see what's currently going on with Justice League of America. Last week there were reports that the movie is finally moving forward. Guess what - that's not what we heard.

IESB found out the complete opposite from various sources at WB -- the movie will not move forward in its current incarnation and a lot has to do with the success of The Dark Knight. Warner Bros. is not willing to risk pissing off Christopher Nolan or Christian Bale and their intent would be to move forward with a third Batman film instead of introducing another Batman in a JLA film.

Officially WB is stating that Justice League of America is on hold due to the potential SAG strike. We have been advised from various sources that the truth is that George Miller has been pulled off the project. We have contacted all parties involved including Kennedy/Miller and other producers but they have declined to comment at this time.

So does that mean that Miller is out of a job? Nope, we have been told that some execs over at Warner Bros. would like Miller to take over The Green Lantern project. Any truth to the rumor? Only time will tell but one thing is certain in my purest fan boy opinion - this script totally kicks ass!

 

[Gotham]

George Miller taking over the Green Lantern film? I didn't expect that.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I'd much prefer Miller do the GL movie and let this proposed incarnation of the Justice League die.

 

[jmc]

George Miller taking over the Green Lantern film? I didn't expect that.

That option did seem to come from left field. Perhaps Miller still wants to do a superhero flick and WB decided to let him have on of the remaining franchises.

 

[The Major]

I'd much prefer Miller do the GL movie and let this proposed incarnation of the Justice League die.

Agreed.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

...and here you go...

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5319&Itemid=99

Hmm, Showtime, I remember you saying a week or two ago that you have heard that GL has been gaining some steam at WB. Now we have this article. Interesting. Anyway, next week I'm sure we will hear quotes from Miller and Gale saying the movie is still totally a go only to be followed by reports in the coming weeks that the project has been further delayed and so on and so forth...

Edit: Reading what IESB had to say about the GL script sounds promising. And supposedly WB is enthusiastic about it. Hopefully it gets a chance.

 

[GreenKToo]

Which site to believe.

 

[Webhead2006]

Yea i do hope miller has been given the boot off of jla. And then move the film in a all new direction and hopefully happen in a few yrs. I hope sooner rather then later.

 

[I Am The Knight]

...and here you go...

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5319&Itemid=99

The Green Lantern script sounds awesome!

I could see Miller doing that instead. Why not?

 

[Showtime]

The irony is that my friend just received this from DC Comics...