Justice League Live Action Film bumps next Superman

[jds1911a1]

I thought Superman Returns was one of the best superhero flix ever made
and at the very least a good setup for a sequel that would carry that description
as Returns had a lot of "catch up" involved in it---so I can see why many were let down
by repetition, deja vu and whatnot

I thought Routh's performance was top notch as well

Kevin Spacey? Blew me away.

Its a shame there's all these delays, as I was really rallying behind the idea that a real
young guy had the role, and thus the opportunity for many sequels---the delays
kinda mess with that "plus"

Now, if Routh (or Spacey!) was IN that JL movie---I'd be stoked about that---but it looks
like its not to be

I really liked Superman returns but then I also loved Superman the movie. but if you don't really like Superman then returns falls kind of flat. I'm 35 and first saw superman in a drive in in 78 and was blown away. hated 3 and 4 (but I do own them thanks to the collectors ed with all the reeves movies and returns). I ahve a friend who is 30 who only saw the reeves films on tv and does not have the same reverence for them i do so he felt returns was bad especially compared to spiderman. Even Spacey's Luthor is really based on Gene hackman's performance with a little Kaiser Souse added in. I think the biggest problem any superman film has is the constant reinvention of the character. No 2 generations have the same superman so no film will meet the general populace of comic fans for the one they grew up with. Routh's Clark Kent in based on Chris reeves portrayal (because Singer wanted to have a love fest for Donner's films since as a boy like me he was imprinted by Superman) not on any era of the comics
I loved the 90 batman (the others got progressively worse and hate them all) but Begins stands alone (thanks to it heavy use of Frank Miller's batman year 1 story relationship for Gordon and Bruce). batman's character has been more stable over the years (excluding the 60's where the camp factor influenced everything) So a film can resonate with more generations. the later 90's ones lost thier way each campier than the last due to directorial and casting.

I think that Superman the Movie was the best superhero film ever and even now with all the advances in effects it still stands up. that said even it had very little connection with the superman of the 70's. If I want to name the best "comic book' styled superhero film I would pick SPiderman it resonated with most generations of comic fans due to the stability of the character and the timelessness of Peter parker's origin.

that said I will gladly fork hard earned dollars to see the next Superman installment if singer makes it. I think x3 would have been lame even if he had made it but maybe the script was why he didn't sign on. A director can't make brass into gold. Singer has made many great films and I think he is very particular what he signs on for. if someone else makes it i will need to get some great reviews I have been burned by too many bad comic based material
I will probalby see the next batman in the theater but if I miss it and have to wait for dvd so be it - i only saw begins after my brother loaned it to me

[Earth 2 Chris]

Returns is an odd film. Its a loveletter to Reeve and Donner, and in many ways, a remake of that first movie. Superman: The Movie is my favorite movie of all time. It's my Star Wars. But beyond the homage to STM, SR takes the Superman story in some odd directions. It's well handled, but I question whether or not the franchise should have gone into the Superman/Lois lovechild territory.

I'd like to see Singer and Routh do their "Wrath of Khan" Man of Steel movie. But the baggage of SR is pretty heavy. It will be hard to shake that and get into a straight on Superman action flick.

Chris

[EllaJames]

In a way I'd be excited for either. I'm a die-hard Superman fan, so I would love another straight-up Superman movie, but I think a Justice League movie would be awesome too (as long as Wonder Woman is there also).

[kept back]

I feel that Superman and Batman are characters that can carry their own franchise whereas alot of JLA'ers cannot. When you consider that nearly the entire DCU has been a part of the League at one point or another, I don't think it would be that difficult to come up with a roster that doesn't include the big two(sorry Wonder Woman fans, but I don't consider her a viable franchise on her own.) My dream lineup?

John Stewart (Leader)
Hawkgirl (Warrior)
Flash/Wally (Wiseass)
Green Arrow (Jerk)
Black Canary (Playboy/girl)
Wonder Woman (Naive)
J'onn J'onnz (Spiritual Confidant)
Atom (Science Guy)
Zatanna (Lost Soul)

No Aquaman( I actually feel he could carry a franchise), no Hal or Kyle(same thing). But the above characters are ones who I just don't think would make it onscreen in a setting other than a JLA flick.

The above choices were largely based on the character from the show Firefly. Using the personality traits, who would be in your Justice League?

[thunderbolt]

If they are recasting the top two characters for this, maybe Kurt Russell's time as an older, grittier Batman has come.

[Bizarro Amy]

As much as I like Christian Bale as Batman, I don't see his version from Batman Begins(kind of a Year One story) fitting in with the Justice League. I have trouble picturing that Batman teaming up with other heroes. Even if they were to use Bale, I'd rather they made him a little less gritty for a JLA movie.
That reminds me, has there been any word on which villains will show up? Making it live-action changes the way they'll have to approach some of the classic JLA villains. I hope they don't go completely Superfriends and have everyone fighting one of their classic villains, although some cameos would be nice. I also don't see them using Ra's Al Ghul or the Joker from the current Batman franchise. I think that one big bad guy who requires everyone to band together would work better. Personally, I'd like to see Darkseid, as long as they used good CG and voice action. Maybe even do a war between the JLA and Apocalypse. They probably wouldn't do this, at least for a first movie, but I'd like to see some of the New Gods show up on the heroes side too.

[thunderbolt]

^^ No word as to the villain yet, but the plot is lifted from the OMAC and Tower of Babel storyline. Bats has a tracking system to learn all about other heroes in case they go rogue, someone gets access and uses the info against the League. This sounds like a older more paranoid Bats, so Kurt Russell might work well.

[the editor]

Number one problem for DC/Warner is that their No.1 team consists of their top two franchises, Bats and Supes. With so much individual marketing required and micro-management of the two icons - it's hard to expect any clear answers as to how this film will end up or if it even gets made in the end.

Marvel Ent. has a much easier solution...Spidey and Hulk, arguably their top two guys are independant of any team affiliation and they got that X-Men group to do the trick on the ensemble thing.

Routh is a great Superman. Hope he gets a chance to do it again...this time kicking some *** instead of standing there like a lug and then flying around like a...er...lug that flies.

Perhaps in 25 years - some hotshot director will be inspired by Singer's homage and make "Superman Returns...Again"...let's hope not.

[filmation batman fan]

The non involvement of Brandon Routh as Superman really surprises me. He's not that well known yet outside playing Superman in Superman Returns. As a die hard Batman fan, I really hope and expect to see Bats in this movie. I can understand Christian Bale not being involved. His Batman operates alone. Meaning, no sidekicks (Robin and Batgirl) and no other heroes (JLA or otherwise). I hope that the actor they cast as Batman will resemble the character like Bale does. No blondes like Val Kilmer please.
I want to see a live action Aquaman. And I hope they do cast a blonde guy for that role as I am curious if it will be Mr. Orange and Green or the long hair, beard, and hook version or even water hand. There never was a live action SuperFriends in my time nor a live Aquaman, so I hope there will finally be one.
Wonder Woman: I hope they cast the right one. As for Green Lantern, I'd like to see either Hal Jordan, or if they go with John Stewart, Samuel Jackson would be good. And I hope the Flash is as amusing as he was in JLU.
But if anything, I want to see Batman and Aquaman more than anything else.
Cheers.

[thunderbolt]

just saw the latest casting rumors, Tom Welling as Supes and Josh Hartnett for Bats.

[The Bat]

The Welling Rumor turned out, to not be true...bummer. If They were to get Tom Welling for Supes...that is one thing that would make Me want to see the Movie(although I just don't see them being able to pull off a JLA Movie). And Hartnett for Batman..... God NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

They're also looking at using the Jon Stewart Green Lantern(another reason I'm not excited about this Movie). I'm a Hal Jordan fan of course...and Jon Stewart is the most boring Green Lantern of all time.

I don't think this Movie Should be made...because I don't think it can be made well! They already have "re-established" the Characters of Batman & Superman...with specific Actors...and I don't think they should be re-cast!

[knight errant00]

Maybe this'lll be the chance to cast Jim Caviezel as the Man of Steel, which he was until Singer put his foot down on having to have an unkown in SR.

Caviezel's the right age to and has the presence to bring a little seniority/authority to Superman -- which he'd need anchoring the JLA.