Movie Update: Justice League of America

A few weeks ago, the news came out that Time Warner has fast-tracked the production of the Justice League of America movie.

How fast-tracked is it? The script (by the Mulroneys) is reportedly done already, and at the very least, will feature Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman (The Big 3 of the JLA), The Flash, Aquaman and Green Lantern. Production is set to start in early 2008 with an eye towards a Summer 2009 release. George Miller (Mad Max, Happy Feet) is rumored to be directing.

Now the problem is this: you CANNOT have a Justice League movie without The Big 3. Fans just won't accept it. So it's smart that they're including The Big 3. But then problem #2 pops up: 2 of the Big 3 characters already have their movie franchise reboots up and running, and for several reasons (scheduling among one of them), neither Brandon Routh nor Christian Bale will be in the JLA movie. Now, I don't really blame Bale's general unwillingness to work in the JLA film, but I'm guessing if scheduling wasn't an issue (supposedly the second Supes movie will start production in early 2008 as well) Routh would have been up for this. What else does he have going on anyway?

I tend to fall in the camp that thinks that fans are more willing to accept a re-cast Superman than a re-cast Batman. Geekdom fell in love with Nolan's Batman for the most part, while Singer's Superman was received with a lot of blechs. But nevertheless, showing the kind of smarts that they have not shown in a while, it seems Time Warner has found their "new" Superman for the JLA movie. And it's not really a "new" one. According to IESB.net, Tom Welling (of Smallville), will be Superman.

Like I said, it's a smart move. Fans who watch Smallville (though I admit I am not one of them) will be happy, and I've never heard a negative reation to him being Supes in the show. Only problem is that his role in the show is more Clark Kent than Supes; can he make the transition?

This will take some of the sting of the whole re-casting issues, I am sure. Although, as BTC and I discussed this the other day, fans are more likely to accept a "stepping on the toes" of Singer's Superman stuff than Nolan's Batman. Time Warner got the easy part done; looming over their heads is the shadow of a giant bat. And just like the fictional criminals in Gotham City, that must also make them just a tad afraid.