WB Makes ‘Justice League’ Official

According to an interview Warner Bros. president of worldwide production Greg Silverman gave to The Wall Street Journal, the studio has now given an official green light to the Justice League movie that writer David Goyer has been working on, to be directed by Man of Steel helmer Zack Snyder. The Justice League is the DC Comics equivalent of Marvel’s Avengers team of heroes, and the movie will be the direct sequel to DC’s next cinematic foray, the still to be officially titled Batman vs. Superman. “It will be a further expansion of this universe,” said Silverman. “Superman vs. Batman will lead into Justice League.“

That’s where the official word ends, but not the story. According to multiple (though as yet unconfirmed) reports, Justice League will shoot back-to-back with Batman vs. Superman, and with the seeming demise of the once-in-production The Flash movie, this could move the release date for Justice League forward to 2017. Here’s the most official word we have, from Borys Kit of THR:

Yes, Zack Snyder will direct Justice League. Yes it will shoot back to back. Likely release date: 2017. Likely announcement: Comic Con.

— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) April 28, 2014

@CoolwhipSpecial Back to back: confirmed. Release date: no comment from Warners but my sources say watch for it.

— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) April 28, 2014

As for the team appearing in the film, Henry Cavill will return to play the superpowered boy scout, Ben Affleck has signed on as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, and we reported earlier this week that Broadway star Ray Fisher will portray Cyborg. What others from the DC stable they decide to put in this film remains to be seen, but one rumor which has resurfaced puts Ben Affleck buddy and fellow Oscar-winning screenwriter Matt Damon as the King of the Sea, Aquaman. That particular story has popped up before and there’s nothing too official about the possibility this time, so take it for what you will. For what it’s worth, we think it’d be fun to see Damon in the role.

A reprisal of the Green Lantern would be a good idea, though who would play the will-powered ring bearer (or which version of the character would appear) is a complete toss up; however, we did give some insight into who we’d like to see play some of the other heroes from the Hall of Justice. Let’s update that bit. With news of CW ordering a pilot for a Flash series similar to that of their existing Green Arrow vehicle Arrow, it’s possible the Central Cities speedster could miss out on a silver screen treatment (although Smallville didn’t stop the admittedly more popular Superman from making the leap). It’d be awesome to see what a big screen Martian Manhunter or Hawkman would look like as well.

One thing is certain: there’s plenty of sand in the sandbox to craft something interesting, even if Marvel’s stolen some the superhero team’s thunder by getting there first.