Writer-producerDamon Lindelofessentially said the same thing:
Whats the tone of that movie?
Theyve been struggling with launching their own tone.
The tone ofGreen Lanternis very different from the tone ofThe Dark Knight.
They clearly inhabit two entirely different worlds.
Cut to the live-action side, andZack Snyderis still addressing backlash for choices made inMan of Steel.
Justice League: War
Where Justice League succeeds is in its diversity of characters.
Image via Warner Bros.
How these deeply contrasting heroes react to one another and work together is where most of the entertainment arises.
Superman is a fixed point by which to craft the other characters.
WhileJustice League: Warfrom directorJay Olivaand writerHeath Corsonisnt without its faults, it illustrates this dynamic.
Image via Warner Bros.
In the same breathe, hes not afraid to crack a smile or flirt with Wonder Woman.
His opposite is Batman, who always has a Plan C in case his first two strategies fall through.
Where DCs live-action universe is already at a disadvantage is inMan of Steel.
Image via Warner Bros.
But even then, she was still bogged down by the serious tone of this cinematic universe.
This sensibility already fights against the nature of Diana.
As Gadots Diana tells Bruce inBatman v Superman, I dont think youve ever met a woman like me.
Image via Warner Bros.
None of us have.
Its as dark as an animated superhero movie can get.
In a sense this is what DC is doing withBatman v Superman.
Image via Warner Bros.
People similarly know the name Wonder Woman, allowing her to appear for the first time fully formed.
Its these superheroes stripped of their titles and down to base animal instincts.
It was as if Snyder simply needed to get through this film to get to get toJustice League.
This animated iteration of Bruce Wayne is not the one we remember.
Doing so places him in the path of Superman.
Batman was the anchor.
There wasnt one inBatman v Superman.
I only know why Lex Luthor was so consumed with taking down both heroes because of interviews withJesse Eisenberg.
I know why Bruce was haunted by his past heroics with Robin because of interviews with DCsGeoff Johns.
One by one they fall and its left to Batman to end the horror he inadvertently unleashed.
As the heroes confront Bruce about this seeming betrayal, he brings up a valid argument.
Earth currently has no protection against these gods.
Stories likeDoomprove this assemblage of beings is unlike any other.
The Avengers are mostly earthbound heroes, while the League is mostly mythic.
Not only are the humans of this world attempting to grasp their existence, but also their larger implications.
Wonder Woman introduces the immortal Amazons into the world.
Superman, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter are proof that were not alone in the universe.
Fans glimpsed whats awaiting them afterBatman v Supermanfrom the Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg cameos.
Will the world have the same polarizing reaction to these meta-humans as they did with Superman?
Will humanity embrace them in light of whatever conflict arises inJustice League: Part One?
How will these heroes attempt to live in mans world with such extraordinary abilities?
These are question Snyder should be asking himself, but I have doubts based onBatman v Superman.
There were opportunities to further explore this dilemma.
Instead, the conflict, like most of the film, was diluted by everything else at play.
Knowing this will force specificity and cut away elements that dont best serve this story.
