Batman killed the JUSTICE LEAGUE (plus the GREEN LANTERN screenplay reviewed)

[bartleby]

IESB Exclusive: Green Lantern Story Details Part 1 and Justice League

Written by Robert Sanchez
Wednesday, 13 August 2008


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!

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

[Maestro]

Is the third Batman film official? I never heard that Christian Bale has signed on.

[The Goddamn Schweitz!]

CAnnot friggen wait for that Green Lantern movie. I don't think I've ever been more pumped about a writer on a superhero movie. I've loved everything I've read by Marc Guggenheim so far and I cannot friggen wait to see this. I pray pray pray it happens.

Could care less about a Justice League movie at this point.

[bartleby]

Is the third Batman film official? I never heard that Christian Bale has signed on.

Not official yet, but there's too much money on the table for it not to happen.

[Nick Spencer]

George Miller would be GREAT for Green Lantern, I would say.

And of course JUSTICE LEAGUE is dead. Its been dead for months now, really.

[Ray G.]

Well, a certain character there will be cut, I can guarantee that.

But overall, this sounds about right. I'm optimistic.

[The Goddamn Schweitz!]

Is the third Batman film official? I never heard that Christian Bale has signed on.

I think Bale had to sign a three picture deal when he did Begins but I have not heard about Nolan signing anything.

[James Patrick]

i still say it's a real possibility we'll see two batman movies in production at the same time. And not just because of random comments by miller.

[bartleby]

i still say it's a real possibility we'll see two batman movies in production at the same time. And not just because of random comments by miller.

Warner Brothers would be stupid to dilute the brand like that.

[ZombieSpeedball]

Thank God for Batman. There was no way a JLA movie was going to be done right.

[Ray G.]

I'm just still floored by one thing.

A Clark Kent cameo? Really? That sounds like something the studios would never allow, especially if he's essentially a supporting character in the movie. Odd.

[James Patrick]

Warner Brothers would be stupid to dilute the brand like that.

there's a harry potter movie every year. the movies would be a year apart. batman 3, followed by DKR.

[Simps]

I'm just still floored by one thing.

A Clark Kent cameo? Really? That sounds like something the studios would never allow, especially if he's essentially a supporting character in the movie. Odd.

He doesn't sound like a supporting character at all, just someone being passed over for the ring.

[Ray G.]

there's a harry potter movie every year. the movies would be a year apart. batman 3, followed by DKR.

Yeah, I don't think that would dilute the brand at all. Especially if there isn't going to be a fourth Nolan movie.

I just looked up Legion. Odd choice for the villain. I don't know how I feel about it. Hector Hammond sort of makes sense, especially after Secret Origin.

[Simps]

there's a harry potter movie every year. the movies would be a year apart. batman 3, followed by DKR.
Technically, every 18 months or so. And I think the aging child actors factor into that quite a bit.

[bartleby]

there's a harry potter movie every year. the movies would be a year apart. batman 3, followed by DKR.

All the Harry Potter movies are part of the series, but a movie based on THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS is essentially a different Batman. You can't try and pawn that off on the audience, nor would I imagine Nolan be too keen on the idea.

[Ray G.]

He doesn't sound like a supporting character at all, just someone being passed over for the ring.

I could see it working if it was an after-credits easter egg, but it strikes me as distracting.

Plus, who would they get to play him?

I can't see Brandon Routh doing a glorified cameo unless there's another Superman movie in the pipe.

[SteveZegers]

I still want a Justice League movie. They don't need no stinkin Batman anyway.

[Simps]

I could see it working if it was an after-credits easter egg, but it strikes me as distracting.

Plus, who would they get to play him?

I can't see Brandon Routh doing a glorified cameo unless there's another Superman movie in the pipe.
I've seen Routh do even smaller, weirder cameos, and he doesn't seem to be that busy. If nothing else, it could HELP the Superman franchise if GL is a hit.

[bartleby]

I still want a Justice League movie. They don't need no stinkin Batman anyway.

I've always said that JUSTICE LEAGUE would work better without Batman. Take GREEN LANTERN have that lead into JUSTICE LEAGUE and then use that to restart the SUPERMAN RETURNS franchise.

[James Patrick]

for the record, i think snyder's a better fit for DKR than watchmen. i want to see dkr a year after batman 3. and i want superman to be in it and just like he is in the comic.

[Jonathan Callan]

Warner Brothers would be stupid to dilute the brand like that.

It's happened with Bond, granted the rights were controlled by two different parties both times it happened, but it's certainly possible.

Then again, perhaps Moonraker and Never Say Never Again are bad examples to support my argument given that they were both box office failures. But then there's always the original Casino Roy... you know what? Nevermind.

[bartleby]

You could make a strong argument that part of the reason for the failure of SUPERMAN RETURNS was the presence of a weekly television show about Superman.

[Simps]

for the record, i think snyder's a better fit for DKR than watchmen. i want to see dkr a year after batman 3. and i want superman to be in it and just like he is in the comic.
I don't understand, why does it have to be out a year later? Putting everything else aside, I think the idea of a retired Batman would be better served by a bit of distance from Nolan's trilogy. Not saying you have to wait 15 years, but rushing it out sooner than any of the sequels happening during the same time period seems odd.

[James Patrick]

You could make a strong argument that part of the reason for the failure of SUPERMAN RETURNS was the presence of a weekly television show about Superman.

i don't think that was it at all. it's not like in costume, and it's not like supeman returns gathered the buzz from prescreenings like other successful movies do. but i'm going to stop here; i don't want any more arguments today; i've had my fill :)

[James Patrick]

I don't understand, why does it have to be out a year later? Putting everything else aside, I think the idea of a retired Batman would be better served by a bit of distance from Nolan's trilogy. Not saying you have to wait 15 years, but rushing it out sooner than any of the sequels happening during the same time period seems odd.

yeah. you're right. but the variable is snyder. if he'd want to go into next, then wb wouldn't want it finished and in the can for two years. it's also a strike while it's hot thing. dkr, snyder, the success of dk, it all lines up. that doesn't gurantee a winner, but if i'm wb i want to keep things rolling.

[Patrick J]

You could make a strong argument that part of the reason for the failure of SUPERMAN RETURNS was the presence of a weekly television show about Superman.

I would make a strong argument that the failure of SUPERMAN RETURNS came down to the fact that it was kinda crappy and tried to build itself based on movies that are almost 30 years old.

I mean... I wouldn't say it was a terrible movie (it's been on HBO about a billion times this past week), all the pieces are in place for a good movie and Routh was good in the role. But with films like BATMAN BEGINS still fresh in moviegoers minds... the look, plot, tone and overall feel of SUPERMAN RETURNS just felt... silly

[niceguyeddie]

i really don't feel one way or the other apart from not really wanting a justice league movie... i guess this is cool.

[Lemonade Lady]

I don't think this is the right time for a live action Justice League movie. Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern etc would be better served to solo movie franchises.

An animated Justice League movie on the other hand would be a great idea. Just imagine, "Justice League Unlimited: The Movie" with a proper theatrical budget and running time.

[Patrick J]

Can Gerard Butler do an American Accent? I was just thinking of possible casting choices for Hal Jordan and he popped into my head as a possible choice.

I really hope they don't go with this George Miller as the director of the Green Lantern film. I mean, I'm sure the guys a capable director but we're talking about the guy who previously directed Happy Feet and those Babe movies.

I'd rather see them take a risk the way they *arguably* did when they chose Christopher Nolan to restart the Batman franchise. Someone young(er) who has created some buzz on the independent film circuit with some experience in Science Fiction the way Nolan had experience with Crime Drama (Memento, Insomnia). I'm thinking someone along the lines of Darren Aronofsky or even Shane Carruth (director of Primer). Maybe even an older director though too, like David Cronenberg, perhaps?

[Foolish Mortal]

I figured this would happen. Too many big egos involved.

The only 3 ways they were going to do a JLA movie were...

1: Do it without Batman and Superman. That just wasn't going to happen.

2: Do it with Routh and Bale. Not gonna happen. Getting both Bale and Routh to agree to it plus getting the producers of both franchises to go along with it would be damn near impossible.

3: Do it with different actors playing Batman and Superman. The producers of each of the franchises weren't going to let that happen.

[Gavin]

Dead JLA? Great news. I'm fine with Miller on Green Lantern.

[John Drake]

Well, a certain character there will be cut, I can guarantee that.

But overall, this sounds about right. I'm optimistic.

?

[THWIP!]

there's a harry potter movie every year. the movies would be a year apart. batman 3, followed by DKR.

The first 2 were 2001, 2002.

The next 2 were 2004, 2005.

The fifth one was 2007, six is 2008.

The last 2 are 2010, 2011.

[Simps]

Yay! I got a copy of the Green Lantern script 5 minutes before leaving work, I'm really excited to read this tonight. Awesome!

[The Goddamn Schweitz!]

Yay! I got a copy of the Green Lantern script 5 minutes before leaving work, I'm really excited to read this tonight. Awesome!

Don't you know that'll just ruin the movie for you. Just wait a few more years and see it in theatre's. God, people can't wait for anything now a days.

[NickT]

I don't see why they really need Batman anyway. THey could always add him in a sequel.

[majorjoe23]

I really hope they don't go with this George Miller as the director of the Green Lantern film. I mean, I'm sure the guys a capable director but we're talking about the guy who previously directed Happy Feet and those Babe movies.


Babe was nominated for Best Picture (though Miller was just a producer on the first film, he directed the second). He does have some experience with more adult fare: The Mad Max trilogy.

[The Goddamn Schweitz!]

I don't see why they really need Batman anyway. THey could always add him in a sequel.

They should just do something crazy and not have it be the real Batman, but instead, a robot Batman...or something...if nothing else, it'll get a lot of interest in the project.

[Simps]

Just finished reading GL, that was ridiculously cool. May have to pick up Emerald Dawn now, and see how the compares to both this and what Johns is doing in Secret Origin.

[moonspider]

i fucking knew that the JLA flick would'nt be made

[Tom Burgos]

Man, I have never been this excited about an upcoming superhero film since Fantastic Four was first announced.

However...they will need a huge budget.
Come on, do we really want to see a GL film with half-assed special effects (ala Fantastic Four) and an overall sense of underwhelming could've-been-better?

I still think FF in concept had all the elements to be one of those so-called four-quadrant blockbusters...it had elements that could potentially appeal to women, men, old, young, families, fanboys, etc....and yet, somehow Tim Story and a mostly so-so cast, plus a weak script and a criminally uninspired Doctor Doom made the films (imo) the worst cases of missed opportunities ever.

I truly hope that GL kicks major ass...

[Mr. E!]

The first 2 were 2001, 2002.

The next 2 were 2004, 2005.

The fifth one was 2007, six is 2008.

The last 2 are 2010, 2011.

They're doing 8?

[bartleby]

They're doing 8?

Splitting the last book into two movies.