Warner Bros looking at a Justice League movie?

[Thundercrack85]

Darkseid? Mongul? OMACs?

Perhaps. Though, any one villain might make it overly biased towards one character. Personally I would use the Legion of Doom (not necessarily using that name). It's also the group most people know of.

You would also need to do some planning for how the shared universe works. Are there thousands of super-powered heroes and villains running around? Or only a handful like in most movies.

Either way, do the heroes already know each other? And if not, of course they have to meet. DCAU had the luxury of having a few crossovers before the start of Justice League, so most characters already knew each other.

Given their respective intellects, it's possible that Batman and Superman would have already deduced each others' real identities before ever meeting in person.

 

[Boy Scout]

Perhaps. Though, any one villain might make it overly biased towards one character. Personally I would use the Legion of Doom (not necessarily using that name). It's also the group most people know of.

Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Martian Manhunter could defeat most members of the Legion by themselves.

You would also need to do some planning for how the shared universe works.

Only if the film is supposed to join the characters' respective continuities. If it's supposed to exist outside of them...then it isn't necessary.

Are there thousands of super-powered heroes and villains running around? Or only a handful like in most movies.

Probably just a handful. A couple dozen, at the most.

Either way, do the heroes already know each other?

Batman and Superman should already know each other. Everyone else should at least know of each other.

 

[DrCosmic]

A few thoughts:

On Cast:

Large casts of super powered people in a single movie don't work, because the audience not only needs to acquaint with their persona, but with their powerset, and if they don't have a common origin, their origin. There are ways around it:
1) Introduce all the characters and their origins in their own popular successful movies (Avengers)
2) Spread the core characters out over several films (Lord of the Rings)
3) Cut down the Cast (X-Men)

Now, 1 is not an option. Aquaman and Martian Manhunter are almost assuredly not going to get their own films. Flash and Wonder Woman probably won't either. That's 2-4 very serious origins and personas to go over and try to integrate meaningfully into the story or risk having the cartoon effect where 'anything can happen' regardless of if it makes sense. #2 seems doubtful. #3 is your best bet. Cut it down to about 5 leaguers for the first film, and grow from there if its successful. Assuming, the goal is to make a good successful movie rather than just an homage to the comics.

On Villains:

With such a large ensemble cast of intricate unique characters, you simply don't have time to introduce and define a bunch of villains. Without defining villains, you don't tell the audience who doesn't read comics what their limitations are, so they can't get 'into' the danger. It's kind of a random fest for them. That rules out ensemble villains like the Legion of Doom. Take a look at X-Men, with just four main X-Men, two of them were limited to basically supporting cast. Cyclops and Storm had few lines and no personal storyline or cool moments. The Brotherhood was composed of Magneto and, basically, three stock characters with no lines. They all had the same exact origin, no unique explanations, and their powers were simply what you saw, with simple themes.

Take Avengers, lots of heroes means one villain. In their case, Loki. I would suggest something similar for the League. Darkseid requires too much explanation and 'show not tell' to be better than Mongul, honestly. White Martians are a simple one-origin villain set that can be paired with Despero or something else like that. Alternately, to make things even more emotionally resonant, you can get an earth-based foe in the OMACs and Max Lord.

It's got to be big, because what happens in comics-- where Superheroes forget their full capabilities so that another superhero can shine -- doesn't work in movies. It makes the movie bad, but in comics, like a lot of crazy things, it's just normal.

 

[Dark Knight]

A few thoughts:

On Cast:

Large casts of super powered people in a single movie don't work, because the audience not only needs to acquaint with their persona, but with their powerset, and if they don't have a common origin, their origin. There are ways around it:
1) Introduce all the characters and their origins in their own popular successful movies (Avengers)
2) Spread the core characters out over several films (Lord of the Rings)
3) Cut down the Cast (X-Men)

Now, 1 is not an option. Aquaman and Martian Manhunter are almost assuredly not going to get their own films. Flash and Wonder Woman probably won't either. That's 2-4 very serious origins and personas to go over and try to integrate meaningfully into the story or risk having the cartoon effect where 'anything can happen' regardless of if it makes sense. #2 seems doubtful. #3 is your best bet. Cut it down to about 5 leaguers for the first film, and grow from there if its successful. Assuming, the goal is to make a good successful movie rather than just an homage to the comics.

On Villains:

With such a large ensemble cast of intricate unique characters, you simply don't have time to introduce and define a bunch of villains. Without defining villains, you don't tell the audience who doesn't read comics what their limitations are, so they can't get 'into' the danger. It's kind of a random fest for them. That rules out ensemble villains like the Legion of Doom. Take a look at X-Men, with just four main X-Men, two of them were limited to basically supporting cast. Cyclops and Storm had few lines and no personal storyline or cool moments. The Brotherhood was composed of Magneto and, basically, three stock characters with no lines. They all had the same exact origin, no unique explanations, and their powers were simply what you saw, with simple themes.

Take Avengers, lots of heroes means one villain. In their case, Loki. I would suggest something similar for the League. Darkseid requires too much explanation and 'show not tell' to be better than Mongul, honestly. White Martians are a simple one-origin villain set that can be paired with Despero or something else like that. Alternately, to make things even more emotionally resonant, you can get an earth-based foe in the OMACs and Max Lord.

It's got to be big, because what happens in comics-- where Superheroes forget their full capabilities so that another superhero can shine -- doesn't work in movies. It makes the movie bad, but in comics, like a lot of crazy things, it's just normal.

If Darkseid is too big, than how about using Braniac and the OMACs?

 

[DrCosmic]

Sounds like fun! I personally don't like using villains from a particular hero's rogues gallery as threats for the whole JLA, but I think it could still be cool.

 

[Rockstar]

This would be a badass lineup. I'd go with:

Henry Cavill (Immortals) as Superman

Sam Worthington (Wrath of the Titans) as King Orin

Desmond Harrington (Dexter) as Batman

Jaimie Alexander (Thor) as Wonder Woman

Joel Edgerton (Warrior) as Green Arrow

Scott Porter (Speed Racer) as Flash/Barry Allen

Anson Mount (Hell on Wheels) as Green Lantern/Hal Jordan

 

[RoughNTumble]

It's about that time almost where WB should be getting together a script and a crew for a 2014 DC movie.

What do you guys think they're gonna do? I'm kind of hoping a justice league movie doesn't work out or gets pushed as I'm more interested in seeing solo movies.

Flash seems like their best bet at this point.

Wonder Woman and Aquaman could use a few more years cooking in the comics.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

I dont know, man...why not skip the solo movies all together and just do it?

Maybe the movie could start off with a news program covering a "special event"? The report could tell of a major disaster that was averted by several super beings, and a brief discription of each of them, i.e., sole survivor of Krypton, fastest man alive, King of Atlantis, etc., who banded together to save the planet...and the movie starts from there, beginning with said disaster, which could quite possibley be an Invasion from Darkdeid and Apokolips....and incidently, the "special event" could be the grand revelation of the JLA Watchtower at the movies end...

 

[RoughNTumble]

Well the biggest problem I have with a team movie that branches into solo movies is star power.

You aren't going to be able to get the kind of star power that we've seen in nolan's batman movies for example all in a justice league movie. The cast would probably look like WB's last attempt (justice league: mortal), a lot of young or unknown talent. I feel that characters as big and important as the ones in the justice league should be represented by the biggest and most important working actors.

It's easier if you go marvels route doing solo movies and then you have the big talent locked to participate in a team movie. Of course with that approach there's also time constraints to consider. WB would have to be willing to invest in more DC hero movies, and of course I wouldn't want them to rush that either.

 

[Lencho01]

Only a handful of people have star power these days. More people will see a film because of the concept and how it's advertised than those who'll see it because of the actors. The "biggest and most important working actors" are not needed.

 

[Rockstar]

Indeed. Going for star power has mixed results. Ryan Reynolds was a recognizable name, but poor casting for Green Lantern.

They need some actors similar to Bale prior to Batman Begins. Actors with credible experience, but who aren't known names yet. Some recognizable star power is always good (ie: Sam Worthington, people would recognize him from Avatar and Clash), but it shouldn't be the overwhelming presense among the casting.

X-Men First Class did an impressive job despite Kevin Bacon has the only name actor on the cast.

 

[The Guard]

Are you implying that casting Sam Worthington as anything is a good idea?

If Kevin Bacon is considered a name, then so are James McAvoy and January Jones.

 

[Rockstar]

Worthington is recognized as an action actor. He's right for certain types of lead roles that involve the 'badass' action character. Studios seem to like him.

Kevin Bacon is the closest thing to a name in that cast, he's been one for almost a decade.

JM and especially January Jones aren't anywhere as recognized.

 

[Changeling]

I think Lord and Omacs are the best choice, in the Avengers, Loki will have some sort of alien army, which is too reminiscent of Darkseid and his alien army of Parademons. Id love Darkseid for a JL movie but its probably too similar to Avengers, AND Lord and Omacs provide interesting plot points

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

I think Lord and Omacs are the best choice, in the Avengers, Loki will have some sort of alien army, which is too reminiscent of Darkseid and his alien army of Parademons. Id love Darkseid for a JL movie but its probably too similar to Avengers, AND Lord and Omacs provide interesting plot points

That's true...

 

[Lencho01]

Are you implying that casting Sam Worthington as anything is a good idea?

If Kevin Bacon is considered a name, then so are James McAvoy and January Jones.

Worthington is recognized as an action actor. He's right for certain types of lead roles that involve the 'badass' action character. Studios seem to like him.

Kevin Bacon is the closest thing to a name in that cast, he's been one for almost a decade.

JM and especially January Jones aren't anywhere as recognized.

They just need people who are right for the roles "name" or not. The actors themselves are hardly going to get butts in seats unless they're Will Smith or I guess, Tom Cruise. Many people will only go with the film is advertised well enough to interest them. Hardly anyone went to see the recent Marvel films because of who was in it compared to those who thought they looked awesome/fun/whatever. That's why you see studios not willing to pay so much for actors compared to years ago.

I think Lord and Omacs are the best choice, in the Avengers, Loki will have some sort of alien army, which is too reminiscent of Darkseid and his alien army of Parademons. Id love Darkseid for a JL movie but its probably too similar to Avengers, AND Lord and Omacs provide interesting plot points

That's true...

Which would've happned with the JLM film if they went through with it.

 

[Matt.S99]

This would be a badass lineup. I'd go with:

Henry Cavill (Immortals) as Superman

Sam Worthington (Wrath of the Titans) as King Orin

Desmond Harrington (Dexter) as Batman

Jaimie Alexander (Thor) as Wonder Woman

Joel Edgerton (Warrior) as Green Arrow

Scott Porter (Speed Racer) as Flash/Barry Allen

Anson Mount (Hell on Wheels) as Green Lantern/Hal Jordan

I'd be ok with everyone but that guy as Batman. He looks freaky.

 

[Rockstar]

A necessary requirement

 

[Evil Twin]

A few thoughts:

On Cast:

Large casts of super powered people in a single movie don't work, because the audience not only needs to acquaint with their persona, but with their powerset, and if they don't have a common origin, their origin. There are ways around it:
1) Introduce all the characters and their origins in their own popular successful movies (Avengers)
2) Spread the core characters out over several films (Lord of the Rings)
3) Cut down the Cast (X-Men)

Now, 1 is not an option. Aquaman and Martian Manhunter are almost assuredly not going to get their own films. Flash and Wonder Woman probably won't either. That's 2-4 very serious origins and personas to go over and try to integrate meaningfully into the story or risk having the cartoon effect where 'anything can happen' regardless of if it makes sense. #2 seems doubtful. #3 is your best bet. Cut it down to about 5 leaguers for the first film, and grow from there if its successful. Assuming, the goal is to make a good successful movie rather than just an homage to the comics.

I think it's a lot easier to form a team than you think. Honestly, start with Batman and Superman coming up against something that they think is bigger than the two of them can handle and then go recruiting, with handy dossiers / background provided by Batman and possibly a intro scene showing the heroes in action with Batman/Superman dropping in right after the final blow is struck. Basically, the X-Men: First Class method of putting together a team. You don't need to clue the audience in on every love interest, family tragedy, etc., especially since most of that isn't relevant to the movie at hand. Follow the blueprint to a men on a mission movie and you're already most of the way there.

 

[Matt.S99]

A necessary requirement

AHHHH!! Scarred for life.

 

[Rockstar]

Haha. But seriously, google Desmond Harrington. Or check him out in Dexter.

He's got a great look for the role. Quite intimidating. Reminds me of Eastwood.


There's quite a few really good choices for Batman out there this time around.

 

[Airwings]

I think it's a lot easier to form a team than you think. Honestly, start with Batman and Superman coming up against something that they think is bigger than the two of them can handle and then go recruiting, with handy dossiers / background provided by Batman and possibly a intro scene showing the heroes in action with Batman/Superman dropping in right after the final blow is struck. Basically, the X-Men: First Class method of putting together a team. You don't need to clue the audience in on every love interest, family tragedy, etc., especially since most of that isn't relevant to the movie at hand. Follow the blueprint to a men on a mission movie and you're already most of the way there.

Or start with three other films first: World's Finest, Green Arrow & Green Lantern, and then Trinity. It is as simple as that.
With them, we have covered most of the background stuff for a team-up.

 

[Matt.S99]

Haha. But seriously, google Desmond Harrington. Or check him out in Dexter.

He's got a great look for the role. Quite intimidating. Reminds me of Eastwood.


There's quite a few really good choices for Batman out there this time around.

I dont like his look for Wayne. He reminds me of Robert Patrick for some reason.

 

[Rockstar]

Robert Patrick would have been a great Batman in his prime.

He was very badass and intimidating in Terminator 2.

IMO the best Batman actors must have the range to be believable as great villains, it's a very dark role.