In 2015, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment are planning on finally releasing a Justice League of America (JLA, henceforth) motion picture upon the masses. As a fanboy, I’m excited. As a fanboy, however, I am also terrified. You should be too.
First, let me begin by clearing the air about something: I am extremely pro-JLA. I think to not do a JLA movie would be an incredible disservice to the fans of DC Comics. It would also be a disservice to the DC characters and their individual as well as collective legacies. Simply put, the JLA exists and is far too big to ignore. Furthermore, it is too awesome and provides the opportunity for too much cinematic greatness to want to ignore it.
Having said that, I firmly and humbly believe that the timing could not be any worse for a JLA film.
For the purposes of this article, I’ll neglect the fact that rushing a JLA movie into production (in immediate response to the financial success of Marvel’s The Avengers) looks like a half-assed money grab on Warner Bros. (WB) and/or DC’s part. Sure, you could make the argument that it’s not about the money (but it is) and say that WB is simply responding to the overwhelmingly positive fan response to the idea of an ensemble film. But it’s not.
For the sake of being different, or, more cynically, for the sake of making the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time, DC is opting to work backwards. Sort of.
Just in case you live under a bridge or have been frozen in carbonite, WB is establishing DC’s New 52 era on film via next summer’s awesome-looking Man of Steel. While it is entirely appropriate to take this course of action, the next step can only be described as puzzling.
Immediately following Man of Steel, the next DC film –according to the interwebs and its legions of ravenous nerds– will be the JLA movie. Though it certainly would have been risky and even shocking to start off with a JLA film, I feel that it may have been more appropriate if we’re headed down the New 52 (N52) road. Anyone familiar with the soft reboot of the DC Universe knows that the N52 has been blasted for apparent lapses in its continuity. The big idea to take away is that the JLA comic, as well as certain other comics, take place several years prior to the “current” events of the individual characters’ N52 arcs.
While this would be hella-confusing on the big screen, we can certainly take a cue from this style of storytelling and have the JLA movie start the official introduction of the DCU N52 on film. Yes, it’s a risk. Yes, it’s controversial. But let’s be honest: if you want to set yourself apart from Marvel, who arguably did things just about as right as you possibly can, you have to be willing to take a risk. Why not have about 15 minutes of development for each character, showing their humble beginnings in super heroics, culminating in the formation of the JLA and the facing of a threat greater than their individual powers and abilities? Maybe we can’t start with Darkseid, but why not Luthor? He’d be a great first villain for the JLA, right?
If there’s one thing Marvel showed us, it’s that it is OK to build up. When you think about it, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger were pretty much just the foreplay for The Avengers, right?
So, while we’re on the topic of building up, maybe it would be far more logical and enjoyable to give each of the N52/JLA heroes their own cinematic introductions before diving directly into the JLA film? Sure, Superman is pretty damn important to establish and absolutely merits his own franchise, unlike some of the less popular JLA members (sorry, Martian Manhunter). Does that mean we can — or should — dismiss Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, and any of the rest of the potential gang as “secondary” or “supporting” heroes? I for one, think not.
Let me go on record by saying that I would much prefer DC be a “copycat” and build up their heroes the way Marvel did rather than have them try to be different for the sake of being different. I would much rather make peace with DC “pulling a Marvel” with their brand than rushing out an ensemble flick with the hopes of cashing in quick, or even worse, strictly for the sake of differentiating themselves from their competition.
At the end of the day, I’m just a fan who is passionate about the characters he loves and the worlds they inhabit. Like a proud (and maybe somewhat obsessive and over-protective) parent, I just want what’s best for DC. Then again, like a bitter (and very inebriated) uncle on Thanksgiving, I’m also willing to scathingly point out each and every one of their flaws while others look on in uncomfortable silence.
With rumors of a Batman film reboot not happening before 2017 (which is good), it would certainly make sense to assume that the JLA film will be fast-tracked after Man of Steel is released. If this is the case, then I may just know what DC/WB has in mind as far as a long-term plan for live-action movies — or at least what I hope they have planned.
Maybe I’ll even put my money where my fanboy mouth is and pitch my own JLA/DCU 52 blueprint to our readers in the near future, so that I too may be torn apart and belittled through the glorious anonymity of the internet.
No matter what becomes of the JLA movie, one thing is for sure: my ass will be first in line when it is upon us.
