Variety reported yesterday that Warner Brothers, who are not talking, have chosen "Gangster Squad" writer Will Beall to write a 'Justice League' movie. Another writer, Michael Goldenberg who wrote the Green Lantern film, has been hired to write 'Wonder Woman'.There's no script yet for either but it looks like WB is getting serious again about bringing these heroes to the big screen. The enormous world-wide success of Marvel's 'Avengers' is not lost on them but WB anticipated this for years. It was unfortunate for a number of reasons that their last attempt didn't come together.
Warners originally tried to mount a "Justice League" movie several years ago, with George Miller directing from a script by Kieran and Michele Mulroney. That iteration was set to star Adam Brody as the Flash, Megan Gale as Wonder Woman and then-newcomer Armie Hammer as Batman. Back in January 2008, the studio cited a lack of tax breaks as the main reason it pulled the plug on the project, which also needed a rewrite that wasn't possible because of the writers' strike.
Other 'Green Lantern' writers (how many did they need?), Marc Guggenheim and Michael Green, are supposedly writing 'The Flash'. Next year we'll see Superman in 'Man of Steel' directed by Zack Snyder. I can only guess this will work into WB's plans to bring 'Justice League' into fruition within the next 3-4 years. Marvel succeeded because they appeared to have a master plan and executed it perfectly. Launching most of the characters in a stand-alone movie by some of Hollywood's best writers and directors. Ultimately, resting the 'Avengers' in the capable hands of Joss Whedon. The rest, as they say, is history (box office). I hope WB can follow through and commit to making this a reality. There are some pressing questions though.
With director Christopher Nolan releasing 'The Dark Knight Rises', his third Batman movie, this year and claiming it would be his last where does it leave Christian Bale and the character in the 'JL' scheme of things? Bale has reportedly said he is open to playing the Dark Knight Detective once more but is he in WB's plans or is another reboot ahead? Is Ryan Reynolds, who played Hal Jordan in 'Green Lantern', being considered to don his power ring again after the movie proved lackluster instead of blockbuster? If these planned features of Wonder Woman, Flash and Superman tank then what? Frankly, the writers attached don't exactly instill confidence. Warner Brothers lost a golden opportunity when 'Superman Returns' proved mediocre despite Brandon Routh playing a great Clark Kent/Superman. The misguided effort was hindered by an uninspired script. 'Man of Steel' will be a good indicator. It's supposed to be darker than previous efforts and it may set the tone for the 'Justice League'. Where Marvel's characters and movies are good ole fun adventures, DC and WB may want more shock and awe with darker themes.
Regardless, Marvel has set the bar. While Nolan's Batman has been huge for WB it has to find a way to make other DC characters as profitable and popular. Marvel proved you can make good, not necessarily great, superhero movies as long as you're true to the character and backed by top talent. WB appears to be organizing the same effort in earnest this time and if we're lucky we'll have more great superhero entertainment for years to come.
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