Re: JUSTICE LEAGUE movie (Summer 2013)
You either give too much or not enough credit to the mainstream movie going public. "Big 'S' on chest and flies? That's Superman! Guy with pointy ears dressed in black? That's Batman!" Whether it's Keaton, Bale or Adam West - they'll know who he is. It's more Flash and Martian Manhunter that might confuse people.
While I hate to do it, I have to agree with Dave. Also WB had no problem greenlighting JL: Mortal with an alternate Batman and Superman despite what was going on in their own film franchises not to mention that what occurs on screen doesn't hold weight against animated ventures, tv series (people didn't get confused seeing Routh when Welling was playing Clark on the small screen or see Dean Cain in Smallville and pop a blood vessel) or even in the video game realm.
Originally I remember hearing Johns break down a JLA movie like this: GL, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Flash would have their own films with Martian Manhunter being introduced and utilized in a JLA film because it was viewed that he'd be the hardest to carry and individual film. That was Big 7 thinking. Not to mention that he stated a good JLA movie was like 15 years away. Looking at Batman, Superman and Green Lantern heading into theaters one could assume this was the plan so it throws a wrench into the whole thing.
There are really three viable options for a JLA movie.
1: Cut the team down to five, maybe even four. Use characters that the general public has had some contact with even if the continuity is different. You rely on familiarity to the character. Even if Bale isn't Batman, the generic public is aware (as if they weren't already). Cavill's Superman is flying about. Reynold's GL has been out. TV's Wonder Woman even if the character is drastically different is at least in people's mind and that helps connect not the "unwashed" masses but the low-level critics who a lot of people listen to in connecting dots many of them are too lazy to connect themselves. Diana could be completely different but people will relate, same with Bruce or Clark or even Hal. If they go with John or Guy or Kyle, seeing the GL symbol is enough to connect. That leaves one new character to introduce, problem solved.
2: You utilize the old fashion serial style that Lucas has used for The Clone Wars where an announcer brings the audience up to speed. It's completely possible and even a bit nostalgic considering that the announcer could say "Clark Kent, a mild mannered reporter for The Daily Planet in Metropolis secretly defends our planet as the hero known as Superman!" then go into "Hal Jordan, test pilot for Ferris Aircraft in Coast City using the will powered ring from the distant planet Oa, fights for justice as The Green Lantern!" It's a bit cheeseball but if done right it could work enough to where the audience can ignore the backstory especially if they focus on a danger big enough to need them all.
3. You allow the images to tell the story during the credits. One could easily conceive of during the credits a Watchmen or Incredible Hulk styled telling showing in one frame the rocket landing, then clark using his powers, then him donning the suit and then maybe a scene of him fighting someone. Then another sequence showing Bruce in the alley crying over his parents, then him training, then him donning the suit and fighting. The entire history in about seven seconds each. Again enough to get the audience up to speed.
It's certainly doable if they pick the right writer and director and those are big "ifs".
