ESB Exclusive: The Latest on the Upcoming Justice League of America Film! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Robert Sanchez
Friday, 17 August 2007
Will the Justice League of America live action feature film ever get off the ground? Much sooner than you may expect!
When the news broke that JLA (Justice League of America) was moving forward with a script written by Kiernan and Michele Mulroney, speculations began that the follow-up to Superman Returns, The Man of Steel, would be delayed or even completely scrapped.
WB studio sources quickly said that was just mere speculation and The Man of Steel was still planned for a first quarter 2008 start date. Even recently, Brandon Routh told us the same thing during a quick red carpet interview at the premiere for Transformers.
At the same time, we are hearing some execs over WB were not happy with the way Superman Returns performed regardless of the $390 million plus worldwide box office take and that’s why Justice League is being pushed through the studio at a record pace.
The JLA script has been received with open arms by Warners and the goal is for the film to be the launching point for The Flash, Wonder Woman, The Green Lantern and Aquaman as well as rejuvenate Superman.
When do the powers-that-be want to start production on Justice League? Apparently, as soon as the first quarter of 2008, that’s right, WB sources have informed the IESB that execs behind the Justice League of America want it to be in production as early as February/March 2008 to be ready for a summer of 2009 release.
What’s the rush? The pending strikes are definitely one of the reasons that Warner Bros. wants to move quickly on the ensemble pic. They also want to start building a fan base behind the new heroes that will help them go on to have their own stand-alone films.
Some questions arise. What will happen to The Man of Steel film that Bryan Singer has already signed on to do? Would Warner Brothers be willing to lose the money they would have to pay to Singer regardless if he directs the film or not? Will Christian Bale and Brandon Routh reprise their roles as Batman and Superman?
Some rumors indicate that studio execs have considered recasting Superman and a few names have popped up. But the honest truth is that the studio just does not know at this time whether Routh will return or not. We’ll just have to wait and see.
And Batman? If Justice League starts production early ‘08 that would give Bale a three to five month break between “Batman” films. Would he do it? Would the production team behind the Batman films be accommodating? Would they allow one of their three-picture-options with Bale to be used on an ensemble film? Would Justice League be the last Batman film that Bale takes part in?
Those questions are the ones I have been trying to get answered but have not been able to get anyone to comment officially.
I want to be very clear about this, I want to see a JLA film very badly and I am pretty certain that George Miller will direct. The problem that I have is I can’t foresee the Nolan camp, including producer Charles Roven, to lose the third stand-alone Batman film by allowing Bale to JLA instead. Maybe Warners should bring a few of the Batman/TDK producers on board the JLA production to keep that camp happy.
Bottom line, the decision will come from Warner Bros., both Christian Bale and Brandon Routh are signed for a total of three films and one film can be an ensemble pic.
I have to wonder if they are willing to pay the huge amount of money to Bale to keep him for possible future JLA and Batman films. I definitely think he’s worth it but it’s not my checkbook.
Routh’s price tag is no where near Bale’s and I’d bet he’d be willing to do possible future JLA and Superman films.
Finally, what about Singer’s The Man of Steel? At this stage in the game, yes, it appears that the Man of Steel will be pushed back to accommodate Justice League.
Does that mean that Singer is out and the sequel to Superman Returns scrapped? Not likely.
As I mentioned earlier, Bryan Singer has already signed on to do The Man of Steel and his team is reportedly already working on the film. I find it hard to believe that the studio would be willing to lose the money that will have to be paid to Singer if they decide to drop the project. I just can’t see that happening.
Our sources have confirmed earlier reports that the Justice League of America film will consist of at least Superman (Clark Kent), Batman (Bruce Wayne), Wonder Woman (Princess Diana), The Flash (Barry Allen), Aquaman and the Green Lantern (John Stewart) and will follow the OMAC storyline and also feature Maxwell Lord.
Within a few weeks, George Miller should be confirmed as the director and casting should commence immediately. The priority for the studio will have to be to figure out what they are doing with Superman and Batman.
It would be a mistake on Warner Bros. part to recast Superman, Brandon did a fine job and under Miller’s direction he could do great, besides I hear that Warner Bros. really dug Bryan Singer’s take for the sequel and Michael Dougherty is already working on the new script.
Bottom line, Justice League of America will start shooting early 2008.
Stay tuned to the IESB as we bring you the latest Movie News!Justice League to be a CGI/Motion Capture Film!?
Source: IESB.net
August 22, 2007
One of the most talked-about topics online these days is Warner Bros.' Justice League of America adaptation, which Happy Feet director George Miller is reportedly attached to.
Reports have said that the superhero team-up movie would include Batman, Superman, The Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern, that casting would start next week, and that Christian Bale (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight) and Brandon Routh (Superman, Superman: Man of Steel) would not be involved.
It didn't quite make sense how Warner Bros. would be able to pull it off, but perhaps now we know how they can. IESB.net says that the movie might be a CGI/performance capture project, much like The Polar Express, and the upcoming Beowulf and Avatar. Here's a bit of the scoop the site received:
However, and take this with a grain of salt, Imageworks are apparently in the running to provide services on the JLA film, competing with R&H and possibly WETA (the latter being unconfirmed).
But the real interesting thing about this is that the contract is for an all-cgi "photo-real" motion capture movie, much like the upcoming Beowulf.
If the reports hold up, expect Justice League of America to go into production early 2008.
MOVIEHOLE:
Justice League confirmations
Date : August 22, 2007 Posted By : Kirby Kegar
Update! :Yes, its true that Brandon Routh and Christian Bale won't be starring as Superman and Batman, respectively, in the "Justice League" movie - but they will both still be starring in the stand-alone "Superman" and "Batman" sequels. So don't fret fans, there will only be a new Bats and Supes for the team-up movie.
I was speaking to a pal at Warner Bros this morning who let slip that the "Justice League" movie is just as full-steam ahead as the rumours suggest it is. It will definitely be up next year.
A casting director for the movie will be onboard next week and it's then that they'll be going after their tighted strongmen.
Director George Miller ("Mad Max") has some ideas who he'd like to cast as Batman and Superman but naturally, they mightn't be the same faces the WB want. Either way, doesn't sound like Christian Bale or Brandon Routh will be involved in the film. I assume that's a financial thing.
(Update : We have been informed by another source at Warner Bros that it will be an all-new cast and that Bale and Routh will NOT be back (that DOESN'T mean Bale and Routh won't be reprising their roles in solo adventures).)
So within the next month we should start seeing a few announcements about the movie.
Meanwhile, our friends at IESB had a chat to Christian Bale whoconfirmedthat he hasn't been asked back to don the tar cape.
ESB Exclusive: Yes, More Justice League Stuff but BIG NEWS! Superman Casting Revealed!!
Written by IESB Staff
Friday, 24 August 2007
The IESB has gotten some more Justice League info to share with its readers today, but don’t get bored, this stuff is hot!!
Two things we will address, the mo-cap rumor and the casting of Superman. Yes folks, this is big!
First things first, the IESB has been in the business of confessions lately using bamboo and Chinese water torture techniques to get everything we can out of anyone that knows anything about this film. And we’ve got some incredible news to share!
We are simultaneously breaking this news on G4’s Attack of the Show at 4 pm PST / 7pm ET, so if you’d rather watch IESB’s Robert Sanchez tell you this directly on the air, then check that out, otherwise, continue reading…
The motion capture rumor that we received earlier this week caused us to do some deep digging on the JLA production. Here’s what we have found out. Yes there will be motion capture used in the film but it will not be an all out “motion capture production.” Heavy motion capture will be used for the OMACs, the underwater sequences and such. So, all in all, this will be a traditionally made film with some motion capture characters, pretty much like every big fantasy movie these days. So that appears to be the final word on that subject. Now onto the big stuff!
Bale and Routh are flat out, for sure, but who does WB want to replace them with? Studio sources have exclusively revealed to the IESB that someone has been approached to fill the shoes of the Man of Steel!
Get ready Smallville fans, your fantasies of Tom Welling in a cape are getting ready to come true. Yes that’s right, Tom Welling, TV’s Clark Kent, has been approached to take up the Superman role in the Justice League film. This has been a hope of Smallville fans for years and all indications are that WB has finally heard the call.
We contacted Tom Welling’s reps over at CAA and were quickly (and I mean quickly!) transferred to the PR department of theatrical releases for comment, we are waiting on an official comment at this time.
But what about the shooting schedule of Smallville that is supposed to go through around April you ask? Word is, the production of Smallville in Vancouver is even willing to work around whatever Welling’s schedule may be in order for their small screen superhero to make the jump to theaters. Or my thought is, maybe they will continue and completely turn the show over to the new girl in town, Kara, aka Supergirl.
We have contacted the Smallville production office and are awaiting a call back. We also contacted Warner Bros. corporate communications who handles projects in development. When we asked if they would give us a comment on George Miller (the soon to be announced director) or Tom Welling the answer we got was, “No.”
We’ve got this locked in from multiple sources, again, Chinese water torture goes a LONG WAY! But that’s the word!
Now how does this affect the Bryan Singer Superman franchise or the Chris Nolan Batman films? What we are hearing from the WB camp is that it doesn’t affect them at all. The Nolan Batman films will continue, the Singer Superman films we have been told will continue and Justice League will have its own storyline and universe. Very similar to what DC does nowadays in the animated world with these characters.
Stay tuned to the IESB for further updates on Justice League of America!
UPDATE: We’ve gotten a few emails about the Supermanhomepage debunking. As we updated in the Tom Welling article, Supermanhomepage.com is saying Al Gough says no, Welling is not involved in the JLA movie. But, I am telling you, we have triple checked this out and all indications are that Tom Welling in fact is a go on the WB side. I rechecked with my sources and they are all still saying yes, yes Tom Welling, yes Justice League, yes production starts early next year and yes Smallville will have to work around it. Believe me, the IESB will be the first to post a retraction on a story if we are proved wrong, but right now, this is what we are hearing. We have been sitting on the Tom Welling info for almost a week and finally felt we had gathered enough back-up to post it. Currently, we’ve got a lead on who is being looked at for Batman but we need some further info and confirmation before we announce it!