Tagged: Justice League

‘Justice League’ Movie Heads To Canada

  • News
  • February 25, 2008

Warner Bros.’ Justice League movie seems to be facing far deadlier villains than the Legion of Doom before it even gets off the ground. A rushed script and casting issues supposedly put the film’s status in jeopardy, but a dispute over filming incentives in Australia may damage things further.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that production on the film may be moving to Canada due to a dispute with the Australian Federal Government. The country’s new film incentive program gives a 40-percent rebate to Australian producers, but there is debate as to whether or not it should apply to movies with budgets exceeding $30 million dollars.

Director George Miller wants to keep the production based at Fox Studios in Australia in order to work with the same team responsible for the Oscar-winning Happy Feet.

"One of the reasons for doing Justice League in this country is the opportunity to bring back all the people we lost on Happy Feet who went overseas," Miller said. "We spent four years developing this talent and the cream of them left because they didn’t have another film to go on to …

"The idea is to say come back, start off on Justice League then move onto Happy Feet 2."

Miller described the film’s current state as "precarious" and said that Warner Bros. is looking overseas for filming locations, with Canada being the likeliest destination.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine production is starting in Australia while the Justice League are leaving it and heading for Wolverine’s home country. Don’t superheroes have any national pride anymore?

 

Five Fistfuls of Justice, by Ric Meyers

  • News
  • February 24, 2008
 
justiceleague-3464763I hope you’ve already read Matt Raub’s advance review of Justice League: The New Frontier  — DC Universe’s Animated Original Movie — which was posted days ago. Naturally, since it’s coming out in stores this coming Tuesday, it’s time, keeping with the comic source material, for my variant review. Matt critiqued the film itself. I, of course, am reviewing the Two Disc Special Edition’s extras.
 
This baby more than makes up for what I felt last week’s He-Man Volume One DVDs lacked: right on the first disc they have a near-full-length (nearly 45 minutes) doc called “Super Heroes United!: The Complete Justice League Story.” It tracks the comic from its inception back in the 1940s ‘til today, using images, clips, and just the talking heads of most of the major comic creators of the era. The information from the likes of Roy Thomas, our own Denny O’Neil, and even Stan Lee was so comprehensive that the doc doesn’t even require a narrator or narration. It does benefit mightily, as do all the featurettes, from the soundtrack music of Kevin Manthei.
 
Then the first disc alone more than makes up for what I thought the Resident Evil: Extinction DVD lacked: their doc sneak-peek of the upcoming animated Animatrix-like Batman: Gotham Knights D2 (“direct to”) DVD shows the lame, cheat sneak peek of Resident Evil: Degeneration how it’s done. There’s plenty of making-of stuff, talking heads, and exciting glimpses of the finished product as opposed to Resident Evil’s peek-a-boo tease. The first disc of Justice League wraps with two audio commentaries – the first a gang approach, with six participants from the production and DC Comics (though not a single person from the pic’s impressive voice cast), and the second with the writer/artist of the source graphic novel, Darwyn Cooke.
 
The second disc kicks off with a slightly shorter but just as interesting history of “The Legion of Doom: Pathology of the Super Villain.” While it contains many of the same talking heads as the “Super Heroes United” doc (Michael Uslan, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, etc.), it also benefits from a Malcolm McDowell narration. Then, perhaps as compensation for the film’s inability to recreate the delightful style of the original graphic novel (understandably opting for the previously established designs of DC’s  recent Kids-WB Superman and Batman animated TV series), there’s the “Comic Book Commentary: Homage to The New Frontier” featurette, which goes into detail with and on Darwyn Cooke’s original. 
 

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Mattel Debuts New ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Figures

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  • February 21, 2008

Mattel announced a new line of "Justice League Unlimited" figures today and provided images of several figures from the line.

The first wave of the new "Collector’s Line" will be unveiled at New York Comic-Con in April, while the second wave will be announced at San Diego’s Comic-Con International in July.

According to Mattel:

16 brand new figures along with collector requested repaints and reissues will be available in singles, 3-packs and 6 packs. Figures will be out in two waves. Each wave will consist of two 6-packs, two 3 packs and five single carded figures, some with brand new accessories. This line will be sold exclusively at Target stores starting Aug 1, 2008. At this time the line will be an in store exclusive only.

The company has released preliminary images of the first 6-pack set from Wave 1, "Attack from Apokolips", featuring Superman, Darkseid, Mr. Miracle, Lashina, Mantis and Forager.

Large images of each figure are posted after the jump.

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Darwyn Cooke on ‘Justice League: New Frontier’

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  • February 21, 2008

With the Justice League: The New Frontier DVD hitting shelves next week, a New Frontier Special comic scheduled for March 5 release, and DC re-releasing Darwyn Cooke’s miniseries that inspired the film, the award-winning creator is in the midst of a good kind of perfect storm these days.

In a recent interview with CBR, Cooke explains the genesis of the original New Frontier miniseries, his work with the creators of the animated film, and his plans for a potential sequel to the New Frontier story.

“I have a story in mind. And it would take us up to the year 1972. That’s when [Jack] Kirby comes to DC, basically. And so I would probably say, if there was a sequel, it would span that time period from when Kennedy is elected until then. Right now, at this point, it’s pure vapor and rumor.”

Cooke also hints at what readers can expect from the upcoming Justice League: The New Frontier Special, which will feature three stories from the New Frontier era written and drawn by Cooke.

“In ‘The New Frontier,’ there is an article that appears about superheroes being hunted down and Hourman dying and Batman and Superman having a big duel where Batman actually defeats Superman. It’s the story behind all of that,” revealed Cooke. “What it does is give me a chance to have those two beat the crap out each other, which some people say, ‘Oh no, not again.’ But well, heh, you know, sorry, you only live once and here we go.

”But it’s all 1950s style. The technology for this type of a fight for Batman, he’s got to be incredibly ingenious because technology-wise, it’s different world.

Cooke also shares some thoughts about his critically praised work on DC’s The Spirit series, based on the Will Eisner character, and hints that he’ll be returning to an ongoing title at some point in the near future.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Make sure to check out the ComicMix review of Justice League: The New Frontier animated film.]

 

ComicMix at Toy Fair: DC Showroom Tour

  • News
  • February 20, 2008

Here at ComicMix, we’ve already shown you Mattel’s "Infinite Heroes" and other DC Universe products, but there were even more comics-inspired collectibles on display just a block away at DC’s showroom in New York City’s "Toy District".

From upcoming lines of Minimates, action figures inspired by classic stories and box sets to statues, busts and "trophy room" replicas, there was, well… a lot to absorb. Heck, they even had Superman’s Cape.

After the jump, check out our complete photo tour of DC’s showroom, including several characters receiving their first action-figure treatment in comics history!

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Early Review: ‘Justice League: New Frontier’

 

Like many of you out there, a bad taste was left in my mouth coming off of Superman: Doomsday, so of course I was wary of DC’s next direct-to-DVD flick. I wasn’t a huge fan of the graphic novels (Isn’t that what we call thick comic books these days?), but I am certainly a fan of the [[[Justice League]]] and its animated counterpart. 
 
I’ll start with a warning to those who aren’t totally familiar with The New Frontier and its universe, but ARE fans of the established animated DC universe: this is a whole new direction from shows like Justice League Unlimited and others, but it is full of exciting DCU fan favorites. In fact, my biggest complaint about [[[Superman: Doomsday]]] was that there were no outside DC heroes, even though they were all over the original story. But I digress.
 
Looking at the animation first, I was very pleased that Bruce Timm (main creator of the animated DCU) and Darwyn Cooke (wirter/artist of The New Frontier graphic novel) were able to find a happy medium between the already established look of the animated Justice League and the very stylized look of Cooke’s art, thought I do think the eye-slits works much better for Superman than the baby blues. The entire artistic feel practically beamed with that golden age look, which is what attracted me to the books in the first place.

 

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‘Justice League of America’ Film Delayed, No Superman or Batman?

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  • February 15, 2008

As we reported earlier, Paramount announced they are pushing back the release of the latest installment of the Star Trek franchise until Summer 2009. Now, from the pushed-back department comes a report via MovieHole.net that the oft-discussed and delayed Justice League of America feature has had its potential start date pushed from sometime this year to mid-2010.

Apparently, according to the report, one of the major reasons for the push was the availability of cast who, as actors often do, have taken as much work as they can and are booked up for the year. Although, as we reported earlier, Common seems to be onboard and ready to rock as Green Lantern.

Casting wasn’t the only factor, though, as it appears the studio also realized the film just wasn’t ready to roll given its current condition — which is probably more the "real" reason.

In related news, a report out of Blockbuster would seem to call into question the presence of Superman or Batman in the eagerly anticipated superteam film.

A casting agency has apparently released the following plot description for Justice League of America:

“Feb 28, Sydney, Australia: The film is about Green Lantern, Green Arrow and others of the Justice League of America, an organisation made up of the world’s greatest superheroes. They must deal with the expulsion of Batman and the death of Superman at the hands of the monstrous Doomsday”.

 

 

 

 

WonderCon Schedules Panels, Guests From Comics and Hollywood

  • News
  • February 13, 2008

One of California’s biggest and best conventions devoted to comics, movies, TV and all the things we love here at ComicMix is putting the finishing touches on its stellar lineup of guests, screenings and other exclusive happenings.

No, I’m not talking about Comic-Con International in San Diego — although that is a fantastic convention not to be missed. In this case, I’m referring to the other great California comics conclave known as WonderCon.

WonderCon, the premiere gathering of all-things comics and pop-culture in Northern California, celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year and runs from February 22nd to February 24th at the Mocone Center in San Francisco. Scheduled to appear this time around are many of the top writers, artists and creators working in the comics world today including Sergio Aragones, Kurt Busiek, Mark Evanier, Jim Lee, Tim Sale, J. Michael Straczynski, Ben Templesmith, Brian Wood and many more.

In addition to all the assembled comics talent, Hollywood will also be making its presence felt at this year’s WonderCon. Stars, writers and directors from small and big-screen will be in attendence including Kristen Bell (reason enough for me to go), Brendan Fraser, Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, "Iron Man" helmer Jon Favreau, Chris Carter, Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny of the new "X Files" movie and Summer Glau of "Serenity" and "Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronicles." In addition, the Con will also host the exclusive premiere of the animated "Justice League: The New Frontier" movie. Good times.

For all the latest details, check out the WonderCon official site. And, if you’re having trouble deciding if you should go, check out our coverage of last year’s event.

 

Common Cast as Green Lantern in ‘Justice League’ Film

  • News
  • February 11, 2008

Hip-hop musician Common recently confirmed to MTV that he will be playing the role of Green Lantern John Stewart in the upcoming "Justice League" film.

"It’s a blessing really, to know that I could potentially be this superhero,” he enthused. “Justice League itself is an honor, and Green Lantern is an incredible character to play. It’s a blessing to be associated with it.”

As previously reported, "Justice League" production was initially delayed by the WGA strike, but now could begin again this year. The film is tentaively scheduled for a 2010 release, but nothing is certain at this point.

 

Deal Reached In Writer’s Strike

  • News
  • February 9, 2008

According to a Reuters dispatch, the Writer’s Guild of America has reached a tentative deal with the studios after a three-month walk-out that brought most domestic television and movie production to a halt.

The deal isn’t perfect, union reps stated, but it’s strong enough for them to recommend to their membership. Meetings will be held later today on both coasts to explain the terms and to vote on ratification.

The heart of the dispute involved the writer’s share of online revenues, which for which they previously did not receive penny one, and their diminutive payments for DVD sales. Whereas prognosticators haven’t had a great track record lately, it is expected this deal will be approved.

This means the Justice League movie might get rescued – maybe – and the Academy Awards will go on as scheduled later this month. And that means the world will not end after all.

 

 

 

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