JUSTICE LEAGUE: Original Writer Will Beall Shares Original Story And How Much Made It Into The Snyder Cut
The world of superhero movies has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with studios vying for dominance in the genre. One franchise that has experienced a tumultuous journey is DC’s Justice League, with its production plagued by behind-the-scenes drama, creative clashes, and ultimately, two drastically different versions reaching audiences. In 2011, Warner Bros. sought to emulate the success of Marvel Studios’ The Avengers, setting their sights on assembling their own superhero team. The studio tapped screenwriter Will Beall (Gangster Squad) to pen a script for a Justice League movie, even considering Ben Affleck to direct long before he donned the cape and cowl as the DCEU’s Batman.
However, fate had other plans. The studio’s vision shifted, and Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice laid the groundwork for a darker, more gritty take on the DC Universe. Snyder’s vision for Justice League, however, faced its own challenges, leading to the director’s departure from the project after a family tragedy. Joss Whedon was brought in to complete the film, overseeing reshoots that dramatically altered the initial vision, replacing Snyder’s epic scope with a more lighthearted and comedic tone. The result was a film that received a mixed reception from both critics and fans, leaving many longing for Snyder’s original vision.
In 2021, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a four-hour director’s cut of the film, was finally released on streaming, allowing audiences to experience Snyder’s original vision. The film featured a darker and more complex narrative, exploring themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the consequences of unchecked power. While the Snyder Cut brought closure to Snyder’s journey with the Justice League, it also prompted renewed interest in the film’s origins, prompting many to wonder about the original script penned by Will Beall.
The Lost Justice League: A Glimpse Into Will Beall’s Vision
Will Beall, the screenwriter who initially crafted a script for the Justice League film, recently shared insights into his vision for the movie, revealing a vastly different approach compared to the two versions that ultimately graced the screen. He confirmed that his script incorporated time travel, a plot element that was entirely absent from both Whedon’s theatrical cut and Snyder’s director’s cut.
“The biggest difference with mine, I think, was that much of the second act was that little sort of coda that was on the Snyder cut, where it’s this post-apocalyptic sort of dream sequence or flash forward, and there’s good guys and bad guys, they’re forced to team up,” Beall explained. “Much of my second act was taken up with that.”
Beall’s concept involved a post-apocalyptic future as a driving force in the second act, a stark contrast to the more traditional superhero team-up narrative that dominated the final film versions. This vision, with its dystopian setting, mirrored the time-traveling escapades of Back to the Future II, a film that Beall acknowledged as a significant influence on his script.
“My version of it owed a lot to Back to the Future II,” Beall admitted, highlighting the unique influence of the classic film on his vision for the Justice League. While the time travel element ultimately did not find its way into the final versions of the Justice League, Beall’s insights provide a tantalizing glimpse into an alternate reality where the DC Universe unfolded in a vastly different manner.
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The Echoes of Beall’s Vision in the Snyder Cut
While Beall’s entire script never materialized on screen, elements of his vision found their way into Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The post-apocalyptic dream sequence featured in Snyder’s cut serves as a testament to Beall’s influence, showcasing a glimpse into the dystopian future that he envisioned for the film. This shared element suggests a potential collaboration between Beall and Snyder, with Beall’s ideas influencing Snyder’s vision for the film.
Despite the creative differences between the two filmmakers, Beall’s contributions to the Snyder Cut underscore the enduring influence of his script and his creative vision.
The Future of Will Beall in the DC Universe
With James Gunn taking the reins of the DC Universe, a new era of superhero films is poised to emerge. The question remains whether Will Beall will have a role in shaping the future of the DCU. Beall has expressed an openness to returning to the world of DC, recognizing the iconic status of these characters.
“These are incredibly great characters,” Beall stated, acknowledging the enduring appeal of DC’s heroes. “Whether it’s Batman, or Axel Foley, or Mike and Marcus, these are truly iconic American characters.”
While Beall’s future in the DCU remains uncertain, his past contributions to the Justice League and his enthusiasm for the characters suggest a potential for a future collaboration. The DC Universe is undergoing a significant shift, and it will be fascinating to see if Beall’s unique voice will find a place in this evolving landscape.
A Missed Opportunity?
Will Beall’s Justice League, with its time travel narrative and post-apocalyptic second act, offers a compelling vision of the Justice League, one that could have taken the DC Universe in a bold and unexpected direction. The film’s potential for exploring themes of consequence, sacrifice, and the very fabric of time could have set it apart from the superhero films that preceded it. While the film’s cancellation is a bittersweet reminder of what could have been, it also highlights the unpredictable nature of film development and the constant interplay of creative vision and studio demands.
The Justice League, in its various iterations, serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of these iconic characters and the power of storytelling to transport audiences to extraordinary realms. While Beall’s vision for the film may have been lost, his insights provide a valuable window into the creative process and a reminder of the vast potential that lies in exploring alternative narratives and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. The future of the DC Universe remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: the stories of the Justice League will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.
What role did Will Beall play in the development of the Justice League movie?
Will Beall was the screenwriter initially tasked with penning a script for the Justice League movie.
What prompted the shift in the studio’s vision for the Justice League movie?
Zack Snyder’s darker and grittier take on the DC Universe in “Man of Steel” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” influenced the studio’s vision for Justice League.
What major change occurred in the production of Justice League that led to two drastically different versions of the film?
After Zack Snyder’s departure from the project, Joss Whedon was brought in to oversee reshoots that altered the film’s tone, resulting in two drastically different versions of Justice League.
What did the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021 allow audiences to experience?
The release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021 allowed audiences to experience Snyder’s original, darker, and more complex vision for the film.
