In what vein should the JLA be translated to the silver screen? Recently we have been subjected to new information that would have us believe that the JLA will be coming to a silver screen near each of us sooner than we ever thought possible and for many of us we would prefer it to be impossible in the time frame given.
Why do so many of us fans care so much about these heroes in silly outfits? And why do we care so much as to how they are brought to the silver screen? Isn’t that what we are all here at CBM.com… because we share a passion for these characters in capes and cowls that have influenced us in our lives to some degree? Well, I would like to think so. However, I know that I cannot speak for all of us here collectively but I can say for myself that I care a great deal regarding this topic because the JLA (SUPERMAN in particular) was one of the positive lights for me growing up and I wanted to emulate in my life the qualities that they emulated from their heroic examples.
Sure, laugh about how you think I’m talking about wanting to go out and fight crime in a funny red sheet and boots, but it was true…for the most part. No, the suit was not part of what I wanted to emulate (although you might find a few T-shirts in my wardrobe with a big fat S on them)….but the way that Superman and crew made me feel when I watched them made me want to be a better person first for myself and also for those that I most cared about. This is why I think that at least for myself, that the JLA is brought forth in a way that feels true not only to the comics but to us fans as well.
So, let’s get to the matter of the article here. In what vein should the JLA be translated to the silver screen? Do we really want something that we can relate to? I think so. Does this mean somewhat realistic? I couldn’t agree more. I think it does mean that we want it brought to us in a way that we can not only enjoy but more importantly in a way that we can appreciate. After all, appreciation only comes after you have found that it is relatable on an almost personal level.
In the year 2000, when I read that a fellow names Peter Jackson had taken the job of adapting The Lord of the Rings trilogy to film I was torn on how I felt about it. I was both astonished and confused. My thought process what that of “how will he do it?” and “can it be done with the technology that was available?” It was not only an exciting time but also a worrisome one. It was only after I saw the first movie that I was convinced that if a JLA movie was ever brought to pass that this would be the way to approach it. Now, you might claim that the LOTR was not realistic at all or relatable. This is where we all have a right to an opinion but the way I see the LOTR films is that those movies were made in a very believable way of realism and I was really able to appreciate them... even to this day the LOTR movies impress me beyond almost anything that I have seen since then. Peter Jackson became the master of storytelling….on the silver screen anyway. J.R.R. Tolkien gets to keep his thunder without argument.
If a JLA adaptation is done there are things that in my opinion would be crucial to be had for it to be done right. First let’s be clear about the importance of continuity. Continuity is important because we are all tired of our favorite characters being re-invented far too often and quickly. This I believe is why so many of us are so excited to see how the Avengers assembling turns out. All of the movies coming together (with the exception of Norton….RIP regarding the franchise :( we miss you already) is exactly the kind of thing that we haven’t seen before and that is why it is so appealing to us. If done right it will be a huge success something not easily forgotten. So, please give us a JLA with the same qualities. Superman in 2006 was brought back to the silver screen and while it was a success for the box office it wasn’t so for many of the fans (myself excluded…I loved it) so now we are moving forward with Cavill who in my opinion looks more like REEVE than Routh did so good casting on looks….but does he have the chops? Let’s hope so and I think he will. BUT!!!! If WB is seriously debating on reinventing SUPERMAN AGAIN for JLA then just give me ROUTH BACK.
Yes we are familiar with the guy and for many of us he continues to be Superman so It won’t be that painful to lose Cavill. Same goes for BALE. We are already used to the guy as batman and I would love to see him join in the JLA throng but if he must go then give me the likes of Michael Keaton. Let’s stick with GREEN LANTERN as he is….its looking phenomenal. I can’t wait for this movie to open the door (POTENTIALLY) to a greater DC UNIVERSE. My greatest desire in all of this is for WB to keep the same actors in play….It seems to me that we will not be getting a trilogy out of the Nolan-Snyder version of Superman if WB is making arrangements for a JLA movie this soon. Also, Wonder Woman must have at least one solo movie completed before JLA is even considered. Why even debate it? The reasons are simple, their black and white. I mean red and gold:
She is part of the trinity and the only one that doesn’t have a movie out yet. Let’s get this done! If THOR can be successful on film then Wonder Woman sure the heck can be too!
Now, earlier I asked in what vein you thought the JLA should be brought to the silver screen and in response to that question I offer up the LOTR treatment. Let there be a trilogy, one movie after the other and have them start where the last one ended…this would make for the perfect grand finally and not to mention would leave all of us fan-boy and girls drooling for the next installment. Each movie has the opportunity to delve deeper and deeper into the psyche and relationships that the team members have with one another. In TWO TOWERS more characters were introduced and also in RETURN OF THE KING. Thus the same thing can happen in a JLA TRILOGY. We won’t need to worry about cramming 10 or more heroes into one movie but we can take our time and develop these characters over the space of three movies. Three hour movies….I’m telling you if it is done in the same vein as the LOTR was done then we can be sure to expect extra super cool content in the extended versions once released on bluray and dvd.
or
?
The outline for a JLA trilogy could be in the frame of the book titled “The Death and Life of Superman”. I am sure that most of you have read it or at least know its contents. Yes…DOOMSDAY. Take this Novel and turn it into three movies. If not this storyline then perhaps it could be another similar to it. However this would be the proper way to bring DOOMSDAY to the silver screen according to source material. From this storyline we also get Supergirl
…and from this trilogy she could have her own movies. Of course this remains true for any new characters developed throughout the JLA trilogy if done properly.
I have put a lot of thought into this and hope that those of you that are reading this editorial can relate to what I am saying and then can somehow appreciate the vision of a well done JLA series of movies rather than a slaughtered slab of meat (standalone) movie where we only get to see a few minutes of each character doing his or her thing to save the day. Peter Jacksons’ LOTR movies really taught me that if he can do that with the amazing books that Tolkien was inspired to write in the first place, then maybe we ought to suggest to WB that they hire Mr. Jackson to do the same with the JLA. Wouldn’t that be a dream come true?
In the name of TRUTH, JUSTICE and the AMERICAN WAY, Amen!! Hehe
P.S. Wouldn’t it be a trip if Ian McKellen (Gandalf) was brought on to portray SHAZAM!?!
We learn later that Gandalf accidentally opened up another dimension to our real world that had all the WB super heroes and here he is not known as Gandalf but is known as SHAZAM…and BLACK ADAM was his apprentice here…an apprenticeship gone south. Maybe a bit much? Its all good…thanks for stopping in and please share your thoughts below.
And don’t forget to vote as always…..i have this poll going until THURSDAY. It will have run for a week and the results so far have leaned in which way WB ought to go.