In a move that surprised no one, Warner Brothers has hired a writer to pen a script for a Justice League film. Now I could tell you who the screenwriter is, but it doesn't really matter at this stage. From what I have read he is quite good and has some interesting ideas about what kind of story to tell with these characters. As time goes on I am sure we will learn aspects of that story and be able to make judgements on them then. What is more interesting is the approach that WB is taking in relation to this property.
As I have written previously, I admire greatly the way that Marvel went about building their universe on film and the overall approach they took to an Avengers film. Marvel decided to release stand alone stories for most of the members of the Avengers first. These stand alone stories allowed the general moviegoing public to meet these characters and invest in their well being. At the same time, these stand alone films allowed the comic book geeks and fans of the characters to see their favorite character get their own story. It was a brilliant way to straddle that line between casual moviegoer and dedicated fan.
But in addition, one of the keys of Marvel's approach was true, honest to god, universe building. Marvel made great efforts to include characters, settings, ideas, and storylines from the larger Marvel universe into each of these individual stand alone films. For example, Nick Fury shows up in nearly all of the stand alone films, save for Thor. Tony Starks father, Howard, was instrumental in the creation of super soldier Steve Rogers, etc, etc. This was a very risky move for Marvel and one that could have went disastrously wrong. I still admire their courage for doing it. It was the right kind of move; gutsy, brave, and true to the characters and the greater Marvel universe.
And, it paid off. The Avengers is now the #3 highest grossing film of all time. It has made Marvel Studios untold hundreds of millions in profits. But more importantly it proved that universe building in comic book movies is a valid path to take. That it can work and be very profitable. That last word is all that WB is looking at right now in terms of a Justice League film: profitably.
The suits at Warner Brothers are drooling right now when they look at the box office of The Avengers and realizing they have a potential gold mine of their own with the Justice League. But the value of a property and the ability to make quick profits cannot be enough of a reason to make a film like this. No, there has to be a good story to tell. And that friends takes time. Suits at studios don't like to take their time, ahem.
Warner Brothers has decided to go counter to The Marvel Model and are going to release a Justice League film first and use it to help launch stand alone stories for characters they have had trouble with previously like Flash, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. As far as Big Blue and The Dark Knight, while WB would recast the latter and bring in Henry Cavill, currently Superman in the upcoming Man of Steel, to play the character again in the Justice League film.
In my opinion this is simply the wrong approach to take. I feel WB should look at Marvel and base their plans for Justice League and the DC film universe on what Marvel did. I understand there is some egos to contend with in this situation, executives at DC and WB that do not want to give Marvel the satisfaction of knowing that they did it the right way and that WB is going to follow their model. No one wants to be second. But making decisions based on big egos does not often lead to great success collectively when it comes to films and the filmmaking process.
Rushing a Justice League film into production just to show Marvel that you can do it better is not a great idea. Nor is rushing a film like this just to strike while the iron is hot, so to speak, and profit off the coattails of The Avengers. No, something of this nature needs to be handled carefully, with great time and care being used in equal measure in the planning stages.
WB should embrace the Marvel Model. Allow Chris Nolan to finish his Batman series properly and then move into a reboot of Batman. But, do not make this reboot of Batman be a retelling of the origin story yet again. But rather a new stand alone story that takes place when Bruce is already Batman. You can certainly briefly show the origin again, perhaps during the opening credits, but then move into an established Batman.
In this new Batman film, sprinkle in characters, elements, and even some storylines from the greater DC universe. Mention Metropolis, have Lois Lane be in Gotham to interview Bruce, perhaps establish Lex Luthor as a rival of Wayne. The possibilities are truly endless and should be taken advantage of.
Then launch films for The Flash, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. Get top notch writers and filmmakers involved with each of them. Again, keep universe building in each of these films. Create a large universe that is interconnected and unique. This was the key to Marvel's success. They understood this idea and executed it very well. If Marvel can make a Norse God with a Hammer compelling, WB can certainly make Wonder Woman with her lasso interesting as well. Don't you think?
Once WB has finished with their stand alone films, then bring these characters together to face a large scale threat. Plant the seeds of Justice League in the previous films and then pull the trigger on it. But take time and allow this process to move forward organically and with the story always coming first before profits.
Sure you will have those that mock WB and DC for basically following Marvel's model exactly. But those opinions will not matter if the quality of the DC films being released are high. WB has a great universe to play in. One filled with iconic characters and rich history. I only wish they would realize that fact and give these characters and the great universe they inhabit the ability to be fully explored and presented onscreen before rushing to a team up film.
Sadly, it comes down to greed and profits as it always does. I predict now that whatever form the Justice League comes to on screen that it will be nowhere near what it could have been had WB slowed down and did things right.
I am a huge DC fan and it saddens me to see WB once again making the wrong choice when it comes to DC on film. They should respect what they have and respect that the way Marvel did it was right. Despite Marvel being first, the method they used is effective and should absolutely be applied to the Justice League. Who cares who did it first, it works. If WB can make quality stand alone films for all of the Justice League members, no one is going to care that they were second to the party. In fact it will be a win for all involved as comic fans will be able to enjoy high quality Marvel and DC based films at a theater near them and all the parties; WB, DC, and Marvel, will make healthy profits.
Seems like a no brainer to me...
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