The announcement in early 2007 that Warner Bros. had commissioned writers Kieran and Michele Mulroney to write a movie version of the Justice League was met by many with a raised eyebrow, belief that this was just another in a long list of splashy announcements (Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, etc.) that wouldn't amount to anything more than Internet chatter, and questions of what this would mean for the revived Batman and Superman franchises starring, respectively, Christian Bale and Brandon Routh.
But then something bizarre happened: there was actually a follow-up report with the studio announcing its delight with the resulting screenplay, which in itself was followed up by a seeming push for the project. Rumors hit the 'Net -- George Miller (the Mad Max trilogy, Happy Feet) being announced as director, the shift from pure live action to a motion capture CG film, to growing reports -- despite claims to the contary from just about everyone -- that Smallville's Tom Welling was being courted to play Superman in the film; and word that production will begin in Australia in the first quarter of 2008 in an effort to beat a potential Writer's Guild strike.
Will Justice League actually reach theatres in 2009? At this point that's anyone's guess, but the signs are certainly indicating that it will, and as a result there's a building excitement around DC Comic's long-running superhero team, aided in no small way by the amazing accomplishments of Bruce Timm and company on the animated Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, Brad Meltzer's successful run on the revived Justice League comic, and the forthcoming made for DVD animated adaptation of Justice League: The New Frontier.
My personal fascination with the Justice League came way back in the '60s when my comic collecting centered around Superman and expanded from his own title to Action Comics, World's Finest, Superboy, Adventure Comics featuring Superboy and The Legion of Superheroes, Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane; Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen; and, of course, The Justice League of America. In terms of the latter, I simply couldn't believe my luck (and my parents' pain -- after all, someone had to pay for these things and I was still in elementary school): not only was I getting even more Superman adventures, but he was sharing those adventures with the likes of Batman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter. How cool was that? And my interest in the JLA was fueled even further by the CBS Saturday morning series The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, which offered up animated shorts featuring a variety of DC characters, three of those shorts focusing on the League.
Decades dissolved from one to another, and while my love for the Justice League never dissipated, buying the comics was a habit I had gotten out of. But then Timm brought the concept back in the previously mentioned animated series and I found my passion for the League rekindled into a fire that burns to this day, and which fills me with great anticipation for the potential new film. Do I really expect to see it happen? There's a growing part of me that does, and I have to admit that even the possibility that we could see Welling as Superman is helping to fuel that.
All of which brings us here, to Justice League On Film. The purpose of this site is to follow the making of the Justice League film from rumors through filming to post production, release and beyond. And along the way we'll explore the JLA's rich history, presenting reviews of past adventures in different mediums, discussions of group and individual member backgrounds, and both written and audio interviews with key personnel involved in bringing their adventures to life. Plus, we'll track projects featuring characters from within the League, including The Dark Knight and Bryan Singer's forthcoming sequel to Superman Returns. It's our sincere hope that you'll join us on this particular Watchtower; the view is great.
Ed Gross
Editor, www.justiceleagueonfilm.com
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