A Live-Action JUSTICE LEAGUE Movie, The Formula For Success According To AVENGERS Director Joss Whedon

The director of The Avengers first tried to bring a few DC character to life but was stonewalled by Warner Bros. Fresh off the critic acclaim of The Avengers, Whedon has a bit of advice for DC and Warner Bros. about a Justice League movie.

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By Mark Julian - 4/13/2012

Before helming The Avengers, Joss Whedon tried, unsuccessfully, to bring Batman and Wonder Woman to the big screen. Following various Avengers screenings across the globe and the world premiere in New York, I'm betting the heaps of praise Joss is receiving has Warner Bros. wishing they'd given him a closer look. Well, the now "it" directing commodity has a few words of advice for how to make a Justice League movie work. During a press event for the world premiere of Earth's Mightiest, a journalist asked Whedon the following question:

“What advice would you give Warner Bros. on getting their Justice League movie going?”

Joss Whedon: It’s enormously difficult to take very disparate characters and make them work. And DC has a harder time with it than Marvel because their characters are from a bygone era. Their characters were bigger than we were. They’ve amended that but Marvel really cracked the code in terms of ‘Oh, they’re just like us.’ A dose of that sort of veracity that Marvel really started with Iron Man, I think you need to use that as a base.

Agree or disagree? Should WB look to Iron Man for inspiration or should they explore the iconic undertones their characters have already possessed. You can read what some people thought when it was revealed that Zack Snyder wants to make the new Superman movie edgy like The Dark Knight to get a sense of how a few fans responded to that notion.

The Avengers is an upcoming American superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. It is the sixth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is written and directed by Joss Whedon and features an ensemble cast, which includes Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson. In The Avengers, Nick Fury, director of the peacekeeping organization S.H.I.E.L.D., recruits Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America to save the world from destruction.

Development of The Avengers began when Marvel Studios received a grant from Merrill Lynch in April 2005. After the success of the film Iron Man in May 2008, Marvel announced that The Avengers would be released in July 2011. With the signing of Scarlett Johansson in March 2009, the film was pushed back for a 2012 release. Whedon was brought on board in April 2010 and rewrote the screenplay that was originally written by Zak Penn. Production began in April 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio in August 2011 and New York City in September 2011. The film was converted to 3D in post-production.

The Avengers is scheduled for release on May 4, 2012 in the United States in 2D and 3D.

Running Time: 2 hrs 15 minutes
Release Date: May 4 2012 (USA)
MPAA Rating: PG 13 for for intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, and language
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, Cobie Smulders, Jeremy Renner, Clark Gregg, Stellan Skarsgård, Mark Ruffalo, Amanda Righetti, Scarlett Johansson and Lou Ferrigno The Incredible Hulk (voice) .
Directed by: Joss Whedon
Written by: Zak Penn (initial screenplay), Joss Whedon (revised screenplay)

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251 Comments

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	ClaireLannister2016 - 4/13/2012, 4:40 AM Login to report abuse Yeah....good luck DC with the Justice League movie if it ever happens. Just dont rush it out in order to compete with Marvel cough cough Justice League Mortal cough cough.
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 4:42 AM Login to report abuse @shark knight You really are something else man. It honestly blows my mind.
	pro346 - 4/13/2012, 4:45 AM Login to report abuse Hate to say it but marvel cbms are very cookie cutter...still good movies though.
	spiralblitze - 4/13/2012, 4:48 AM Login to report abuse the funny thing is i read somewhere that such a movie is in production sorta, and on Nolan's Wikipedia page, hes down as a producer for a 2015 justice league movie
	RedSon - 4/13/2012, 4:49 AM Login to report abuse I really hate DC for not doing anything in expanding their cinematic universe. I doubt that they can pull things off as well as marvel has. I mean not having a steady cast for superman or possibly green lantern. A likely change in the casting for batman after Nolan's trilogy. No wonder man, flash or aquaman on the horizon .... One would think the wb execs would have tried something more with their films since iron man came out with the Nick Fury debut.
	TheGambitFreakIsBatmanOfCBM - 4/13/2012, 4:49 AM Login to report abuse Mark You forgot to add the first part where is says, "Well 20 years from now." Sorry, I had too, before a JLA movie, they need to get all the characters solo movies first, and in the same continuity. i.e., Bats and Supes and WW, and GL
	Linta - 4/13/2012, 4:53 AM Login to report abuse that's not gonna happen................Green Lantern sucks big time
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 4:58 AM Login to report abuse Dc has no idea how to make solo movies for their other heroes. They've already proven that.
	Berger45 - 4/13/2012, 5:00 AM Login to report abuse I like Joss Whedon and I agree somewhat on what he is saying. DC's heroes are simply larger than Marvels. They embody the ultimate power too. I just hope that we get to see JLA one time. I think they should try a Trinity first, then reboot GL and make a flash as well, then bump it all in. Maybe one day a certain director will have the right script and make this come true, until then I will patiently wait.
	TheBigBoss917 - 4/13/2012, 5:02 AM Login to report abuse Warner Bros. doesn't need to follow any formula set by Whedon, they created their own formula in making Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, especially in TDK since every goddamn superhero movie is compared to TDK now. A JL movie will be made eventually and it will not have a cliche climax of explosions in the middle of some buildings.
	JamesBond007Skyfall - 4/13/2012, 5:02 AM Login to report abuse WB doesn't seem to know how to handle their properties. They need to get on board with the shared universe/same continuity theme. They are killing themselves by not doing so. It will only make the films better
	BIGBMH - 4/13/2012, 5:04 AM Login to report abuse @pro346, If that's true, DC tried to use that cookie cutter to make GL. You could tell they wanted it to be their Iron Man. As cool and different as it should have been, it's one of the blandest, most generic super hero movies to come out in a while. Marvels films may have similar structure, but Thor, Cap, Iron Man, and Hulk's solo films all felt like their own thing tone wise, visually etc.
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 5:06 AM Login to report abuse They could start by hiring a decent director. I really don't think they should have Nolan producing all these movies either. He really only seems fit for Batman, in my opinion.
	Aiiwolf - 4/13/2012, 5:11 AM Login to report abuse @ TheBigBoss917 That is correct! DC does have it's own formula, and it has worked with them. Whedon is known for his work on Tv shows...Even the critics said the Avenger's felt like a "tv Movie"....They didn't say it was bad, but cinematically lacking? I would expect Whedon to have those results....But that scene with Hulk saving Iron Man made me want to give this movie a shot. I hope they give Hulk justice, since he's been replaced by actors 3-times on the big screen. @ JamesBond007Skyfall Dude, that's what I'm hoping for!! they need to get on it... It's funny how he says Marvel has characters that you can relate to, while DC doesn't. Yet, everyone wishes they were Superman, Batman, or Green Lantern. Honestly, If this "Avengers" movie was getting negative feedback...this article would be irrelevant. Nolan has become the center foundation for DC heroes....He's supposedly producing all the Superman movies, and the future JLs when they get down to it....and if they decide to follow the NEW 52...and use Batman to bring the JL together I could see The Nolans writing the script.
	Supes17 - 4/13/2012, 5:12 AM Login to report abuse I agree with Whedon. Look at shitty Green Lantern! Whedon has won my trust with the Avengers. If he ever decides to make a Justice League movie, they should let him give it a shot.
	CrowPirate1 - 4/13/2012, 5:18 AM Login to report abuse @RedSon I agree. well, I don't hate DC, but I am very disappointed with them. Marvel had good TV cartoons, and so so action shows (hulk exception) and very bad movies. Dc was ahead for a long time, what with their Superman and Batman movie series, then came the Batman tv cartoon.. fantastic. But, they never pushed for other movie series. They went small time with Smallville. Not even batman's early like in a show called Gotham, which I would have watched all the villains slowly become who they are and Bruce become who he was. But while Marvel may have sold a few of their big names piecemeal (Spiderman/x-men/ff), they had a plan, and used the money they made from those sales to start what great things they are doing now. Where is DC? While I want a good new Superman and Batman, (And a slightly better Green Lantern) I also want the same idea going, and a series of Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Arrow, Aquaman, and leading up to... A JUSTICE LEAGUE MOVIE!!!! I mean, they are ALL owned by the same company in DC/Warner... and yet, no crossovers have even happened. I said this once before.. wouldn't it have been cool... end of Batman Returns, is Keaton was the one on the top of the building at the end.. cape fluttering, and Chris Reeve flew by and just said.. "Bruce.".. and Keaton goes.. "Clark"... I think i would have shit my pants. I know the new Batman and Superman movies will be great... but to see all the characters together like the Avengers are doing is a true fanboys dream.. and I am very stoked at just seeing this happen. Please DC... meet the challenge!!! I'll shut up now. sorry this was so long.
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 5:19 AM Login to report abuse I'm sorry but I just want to say I do like dc but I think superman is one of the worst characters ever created, visually and the concept of the character. I just watched superman and Batman apocalypse yesterday and it really made me realize that even more.
	Gigacrusher45 - 4/13/2012, 5:21 AM Login to report abuse It makes sense though because it's almost like the Justice League are gods whereas the avengers are just very special soldiers. Something like that.
	Jackwagon - 4/13/2012, 5:22 AM Login to report abuse First and foremost. DC needs to desparately break away from Warner Brothers. Start their own studio and Go from there. They have no control.
	elessarundomiel2382 - 4/13/2012, 5:24 AM Login to report abuse Seriously Batman worked, and possibly Flash, as long as they dont go too overboard with it like Green Lantern
	elessarundomiel2382 - 4/13/2012, 5:27 AM Login to report abuse @ImmortalVigilante thats the thing, like i said the only realistic takes you can do is for Batman and The Flash, Superman Returns and Green Lantern tried and didnt do so well. And even then us normal folks cant really relate to Batman as much as we would like no matter how awesome the Nolan films are, youd have to be extremely rich and have loads of connections to pull such thing off.
	JDUKE25 - 4/13/2012, 5:28 AM Login to report abuse That's why most DC movies are screwed up, because they try to dumb down the character so they can "relate" to the audience. Stupid!!! They're bigger than us. They are protectors of the world who have great power to fight great evil that threaten all of earth. That's what makes them great to watch and read about. Even though they have this greater power than the rest of humanity, they choose to protect and serve, rather than rule and conquer.
	Vadakin - 4/13/2012, 5:29 AM Login to report abuse I've always looked at it as Marvel being Shakespeare and DC being Homer (the Greek poet and author of the Iliad, not the Simpson) and that's how Warner Brothers should approach Justice League. Make it like the Iliad or the Labors of Heracles. A few months ago, I wrote an article here on CBM detailing a plot for how I think Justice League could work: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/moviewhatifs/news/?a=51002
	thetrojan - 4/13/2012, 5:34 AM Login to report abuse because they are trying to ground batman in a realistic situation they have left no room for the unreal fantasy side of dc... yes it would be cool if superman flew by and nodded to bruce...but not going to happen. also when this batman franchise finishes they will have to start rebooting the batman mythos again and that will take time...unless bale returns as the frank miller dark night style character,but then isnt that what we are about to see completed.and everyone else would have to have that dark overtone. also the henry cavill superman has to work...and that is a mighty hard task. possibly due to the christopher reeve legacy which they will have to destroy before they move on....hopefully cavill will do this ....but ..... marvel is a relatively young company with relatively young characters compared to dc's stable...And at the moment they,marvel, rule the superhero film world. its a wonderful time for comics and superhero fans ,how spoiled are we,a genre is establishing itself and its ours!
	Ancar - 4/13/2012, 5:34 AM Login to report abuse Oh, please, come on! Go to direct another Avengers and keep your advices to Marvel Studios!
	SageMode - 4/13/2012, 5:37 AM Login to report abuse DC doesn't want a Justice League movie. All they want to do is give the public continuous iterations of Batman, Superman, and Vertigo properties. Oh well, good riddance, they could've had a potential, gem and they blew it. SMH.......
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 5:37 AM Login to report abuse @superguy Does that make Superman I good character? Any worthwhile story would have to involve krypronite and that just bothers me for some reason. I understand he was the first but maybe that is why he is so lame concept wise. This is all just my opinion. I do like how his disguise is the human part of him but it pretty much ends there. It's really just my preference. I appreciate Superman being created but I don't really care for him.
	thetrojan - 4/13/2012, 5:38 AM Login to report abuse HeroComplex - 4/13/2012, 5:29 AM Report Comment Best way for DC/WB to do a Justice League or stand alone movies is to go retro, say 1930-1940, styled around Alex Ross with a modern looking Brainiac. this is a splendid idea,I would like to add that I would love a marvel retro series also,can you imagine a fantastic four set in the sixties.....of course it wont happen in the big business world,but as technology advances and fan flics become more frequent we may see alot of stuff that tickles us.
	Sparrowsabre7 - 4/13/2012, 5:42 AM Login to report abuse Nolan's Batman could never work with Superman. He's just too grounded. Not to mention people would immediately ask why Superman is not helping out in Gotham. Yes Thor and Hulk are about as powerful, but neither are able to get around as fast or with as much versatility as Superman, not to mention the Hulk is uncontrollable to a point and Thor is not invincible. Superman would need to be drastically nerfed in order to make him fit with Batman and the other characters. Frankly though, I'd much rather see Batman fight Superman a la DKR than a Justice League movie.
	SageMode - 4/13/2012, 5:43 AM Login to report abuse Or rather DC/Warner Bros........
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 5:43 AM Login to report abuse A good character*
	Aiiwolf - 4/13/2012, 5:47 AM Login to report abuse @ Just1Superguy LOL. I was going to write that. People, love to bash Superman because the guy practically unbeatable. Alot of people dont understand that he was based off of Jesus Christ. Thats why NO ONE CAN RELATE TO HIM....which makes me think thats probably why anyone that plays the part of superman in a movie has abad career or eneds up killing themselves. Superman will always be a badass, even he got a stupid ass Xmen director to screw it up for us!
	EditNinja - 4/13/2012, 5:51 AM Login to report abuse Marvel Studios' long term plan is paying dividends now(with the exception of the Ed Norton mess). I think DC/WB are just too short-sighted and cautious to attempt this. Hoping for a good MOS movie... Hoping for a JLA... But I can't see DC rushing into individual movies for Wonder Woman, Flash, Hawkman, Manhunter, Green Lantern 2...
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 5:52 AM Login to report abuse Jesus Christ had laser vision, super hearing, x ray vision, can fly at ridiculous speeds, unlimited strength, and Arctic breath. Cool. Just playing around btw.
	Aiiwolf - 4/13/2012, 5:56 AM Login to report abuse Well, Villians has a huge part in Making the movie. A Superhero isnt Super without a super villian. One of my favorite flicks, though its for kids, is MEGAMIND. If they want to make a good DC movie, find the Perfect Villian thats Beyond normal. Since its DC, and WE cant relate to them, have a Villian we can't relate to either...Maybe DARKSEID?! DARKSEID vs JL...It's the only way I see things happening.
	Frogman - 4/13/2012, 5:57 AM Login to report abuse I don't see why a connected universe is needed to make the film good, Iron Man 2 is an example of a film that is so connected that it feels more like an advert for Avengers than a good story. If they make great films (NOLAN'S BATMAN FILMS) that's all that matters, no need for crossovers. Raimi's Spider-Man no crossovers - Spider-Man 2 considered one of the best CBMs. X-Men no crossovers (with other properties) - X2 and X-Men: First Class some of the best CBMs made. YOU DON'T NEED CROSSOVERS TO MAKE THE FILM GREAT.
	RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 4/13/2012, 5:58 AM Login to report abuse Ehh I'm content without a live action justice league movie. The Avengers work better as a team on film than they do individually. I just don't think the justice league translate as well to film as everybody thinks. Not only that, but the cost of one would be ridiculous. The Avengers was 220 million and that was without Ant Man, Wasp, Black Panther and company. A justice league film done right would be pushing the 450 million mark. It's just not feasible right now. I'm content with three great Batman movies, and hopefully three great Superman movies.
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 6:00 AM Login to report abuse I read the doomsday one a while ago because a friend told me I should. I did think that was bad ass. I'm not saying you guys shouldn't like him or I don't understand why people do. I've just always felt this way about him. Maybe I should give him more of a chance. If I see another super dog I'll probably stop reading that issue though. Lol.
	Davix - 4/13/2012, 6:02 AM Login to report abuse quando sair a liga da justiça, já vai está nos vingadores 5, ja vai ter saido quase todos os filmes dos personagens da marvel...por isso fãs da dc esperem deitados pq em pé e sentado bai cansar!!!
	Action - 4/13/2012, 6:06 AM Login to report abuse When Joss Whedon wins an academy award for a Marvel movie, like Christopher Nolan did for DC, then Whedon can give advice on making a justice league movie.
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 6:07 AM Login to report abuse Didn't Batman beat superman before?
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 6:08 AM Login to report abuse @action I don't need my superhero movies to be Oscar worthy dude.
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 6:10 AM Login to report abuse And heath himself won the award.
	ckal - 4/13/2012, 6:10 AM Login to report abuse Bigboss- Dc/wb don't have a formula at all. They have a formula for 2 batman movies. In fsct they have quite proven they don't have a formula at all for any of their other characters, and even batman will be rebooted after TDKR. Think next time before you spew things out your mouth. Oh and was saving private Ryan cliche because the movie ended with explosions near some buildings? Aiiwolf- No critics have said anything about the avengers not looking "cinematic." that was one sentence a site posted that they heard from one random person.
	Aiiwolf - 4/13/2012, 6:11 AM Login to report abuse No BIGNERD, LOL...I'm just telling you from the book I have, I'll give you the title of it next time I go back home, its actually pretty good book, makes me respect the creators that came up with the idea of Superman... It had alot to do with the bad times society was in (Great depression)...and superman comic than was a daily reading, and keep people's mind of the economy...I mean besides drinking COCA "COCIANE" COLA. Also, they weren't worth crap like it is now (millions of dollars? really?)...But, he was created to be unbeatable. And, also I think the laserbeams, superspeed, super strength built up over time..it wasnt given to the guy right away. One of my favorite Characters, who's a bit overrated in Marvel that reminds me of superman is Wolverine. I liked him more as a midget until Hugh JAckman played the part, and now hes normal sized. I have a friend that looks just like him, height and everything...and when they changed his character and put him in every single team, it just got annoying. Recently reading WOLVERINE ALHPA&OMEGA....good book...."The best there is"...wasnt bad either...i know alot of people didnt like it...but i like the blood and gore in it...reminded me of savage wolverine.
	bamaman73 - 4/13/2012, 6:13 AM Login to report abuse If WB would actually tap into the source material they could pull it off. GL wasn't horrible (not great either), but the way it ended I think could lead to an awesome sequel. Finding a director and writer for any film that actually understands the character and that universe seems to be were they tend to drop the ball. I would live to see a JLA film but I don't think than WB cares about there characters as much as Marvel.
	2gold - 4/13/2012, 6:16 AM Login to report abuse I'm confused, when the hell did Christopher Nolan create DC? He created a great Batman story, much like many writers in the past have done with the Dark Knight (Batman has a TON of really awesome graphic novel tales, he's apparently a fantastic character to write for) but he didn't create DC comics or DC movies. Nolan is amazing, there is little doubt he can do things, but none of this was ABOUT NOLAN! What the heck people! Does every damn conversation involving comic movies have to become about Nolan vs Avengers?!?
	MrSuperheromoviefan - 4/13/2012, 6:17 AM Login to report abuse Only Batman and a couple of Superman are good movies. GL was just ok. They need both WB/DC to put their asses on work. Flash and WW. Then JL movie with the appereance of Manhunter.
	Aiiwolf - 4/13/2012, 6:18 AM Login to report abuse @ MARVEL87 How you gonna tell me that he's NOT based of Jesus Christ when I got the damn book at home that states interviews and talks about the fact how HE WAS CREATED OFF OF JESUS. You're not going to tell me He's not when I've read in THAT BOOK that he WAS. I'll try to find the whole name for the book, since I dont have it with me....but it states exactly on the cover which is why I even picked it up to begin with. (Searching)
	GiantNerd0720 - 4/13/2012, 6:19 AM Login to report abuse @Aii I agree about everything you said about wolverine. Especially the blood and gore aspect. If there are characters that need blood and gore, it's characters like wolverine and dead pool. I would like to check out that book you are referring to.
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