The big screen version the Justice League took one giant leap further to becoming a reality. While it was really more of confirming the ‘when’ rather than the ‘if’ on Warner Bros. part, a big screen answer to Marvel’s Avengers starring DC’s biggest superheroes has been a foregone conclusion for some time. WB’s President of Worldwide Production, Greg Silverman, told the Wall Street Journal that director Zack Synder will follow-up the Man of Steel sequel, tentatively titled Batman Vs. Superman, with the all-star team-up movie starring Henry Cavill (Superman), Ben Affleck (Batman) and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman).
“It will be a further expansion of this universe,” Silverman said. “’Superman Vs Batman’ will lead into ‘Justice League.’”
DC’s Holy Trinity will appear in Batman Vs. Superman, set for 2016, and then join forces with additional superheroes yet to be officially join the team. Other DC staples likely to enlist are Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter and Green Arrow.
With Justice League now officially on the record, it looks we can stop speculating if WB had ulterior plans to jump start their big screen franchise and turn Batman Vs. Superman, with its rapidly expanding cast, into the team up event film. Variety reported last week that newcomer Ray Fisher was cast as Victor Stone, also known as Cyborg, in the Batman Vs. Superman, and would be a shoo in for Justice League. Easter eggs in Man Of Steel also hinted that Cyborg was on his way to the big screen.
Speculation points to portions of Justice League to be filmed at the end of Batman Vs. Superman‘s production schedule, or to film right afterwards. There may have been grander motives for pushing the start and release date of the Man of Steel sequel to allow some extra breathing room to nail down details for ramping up Justice League.
There are also DC’s heroes on television to factor in. The CW’s hit show Arrow, currently in its second season, boasts a violent and dark tone that fits in with the world established in Man of Steel. Likely to get picked up for the fall is The Flash, a spin-off from Arrow. Justice League is years away, Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen) and Grant Gustin (Barry Allen) may have enough time to earn their marquee value and get their shots next to Cavill, Affleck and Gadot.
Getting back to Gal Gadot, she likely inked a three picture deal to play Wonder Woman, and will be two in by the time Justice League rolls out, possibly in 2018. Sue Kroll, WB’s President of Worldwide Marketing, still has hopes that there will be a solo spin-off adventure for the iconic Amazon.
“That is our hope,” Sue Kroll said. “With the right script, that could be viable. The world is ready for her.”
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