Do you see what I see?
This Fall’s Justice League has had one of the most interesting productions in Hollywood history. It’s faced massive re-shoots, multiple writers, multiple directors and lackluster predecessors. What isn’t known is whether or not the film will be worth it, but excitement is on the rise. Every trailer has done a wonderful job of making the film look like a great blend of exciting fights and superhero drama.
Unsurprisingly, like most Zack Snyder films Justice League is filled with symbolic imagery and visceral action. WB is fighting the DCEU’s dour and dark tones by showing us a brighter side of this blockbuster. Therefore, they’ve placed comedy and optimism at the forefront. The most recent glimpse is a doozy.
Warner Bros. latest trailer is set to a cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes.” And our heroes are in their most dire and desperate situation yet. To see how they fare we’ll have to wait until November 17th. Until then, there are a few things to notice about this trailer.
1. The Return of Superman
2. Parademons battle Amazonians!
The fiercest warriors on Earth will face off against the fearsome looking Parademons. The Amazonians possess a Motherbox, and are thus the target of Steppenwolf and his army for some portion of the film. However, these are warriors they’re facing. They won’t give it up that easily.
3. Heroes will start to enjoy being Heroes
It’s no secret that Wonder Woman is the only superhero in the DCEU to have actually enjoyed being herself. From Superman’s identity crisis to Batman’s inner demons, the heroes have been plagued by the darkness required by their film studio. From the get go it appears this film will change things. This film is going to make this team and their world celebrate the fact that they came together.
4. Batman’s Tactical Suit will appear towards the end of the film
Marketing for Justice League has been very kind to Bruce Wayne and Batman. He’s clearly the star of the film. Because of this, his newest suit has been at the forefront of every advertisement and commercial. However, the suit will likely be saved for the end of the film. He’s shown driving the Batmobile through a heavily corrupted Earth, and does so in the latest suit. But we know from the “tunnel/pit” sequence that he also graces the stage with his original black and grey. It’s safe to assume then that the goggled, armored Tactical suit will be kept for the final act.
5. The world is falling into chaos
Without a Superman to oversee it, and without a Batman to avenge it, the world is in chaos. Crime and terrorism is on the rise. In fact, Wonder Woman’s entrance in the film has her thwarting one such attack.
6. Steppenwolf’s Axe is both a brand and a weapon!
Seen in previous trailers and BvS, Steppenwolf’s attack leaves an omega brand on the Earth. It serves as an attack, as we see him using it on the Amazonian cavalry. It also acts as a brand through which Apokolips’ corruption will affect Earth.
7. The Amazonians battle a “corrupted” male army
In a later part of the trailer a male army is seen “transforming” into either Parademons or monsters before facing the Amazonian forces. It’s safe to assume this is the same male army that will have or later buries their Motherbox, while Themiscyra seems to guard theirs.
8. Aquaman will refuse Bruce and return to Atlantis
Aquaman has been noticeably absent from the “tunnel/pit” sequence in the beginning of the film. Like the dialogue mentioned in the first trailer, Arthur Curry denies Batman’s offer to join the team and returns to Atlantis. It’s a gorgeous sequence, with Jason Mamoa naturally walking into the water with the ease of a King entering his tide.
9. Clark Kent is revealed, but not Superman
An important detail to note about this trailer is that Clark Kent is revealed, but not Superman. The fact that his presence is a dream could be misdirection. The end of BvS has something happening to the coffin of Clark Kent. His return is inevitable. What isn’t obvious is when this will take place. It’s possible that Clark Kent’s return occurs early on the film. Instead of quickly assuming the costume, he fears for his own death. Desiring his own bit of happiness he reveals himself only to Lois and promises her the life they could have. As the world falls to pieces she convinces him to once again don the suit of his ancestors to become the hero the world needs. Or who knows? Just a theory.
10. Barry Allen and Aquaman are going to steal the show!
Since the very first trailer Barry Allen has been hilarious and Aquaman has been a badass. As more trailers and footage has been released, they’ve often switched places. With Cyborg, these characters are the most unknown aspect of our new team. If their presence and chemistry maintains this level of awesomeness both Ezra Miller and Jason Mamoa will undoubtedly be scene-stealing and chewing the scenery.
11. The overall plot still remains a mystery
Despite the reveal of the main villain and most of the team, the film still remains a mystery. The only comparable film ever released, The Avengers, was completely revealed by this point. That film’s only reveal was its’ use of Thanos. Otherwise, Loki was the villain and there were no heroes or surprises revealed in the film. The same can’t be said for Justice League. Steppenwolf remains a mystery; most of the team remains a mystery. While the players and McGuffins have been revealed there are still plenty of cards up Joss and Zack’s sleeves.
12. Motherboxes are portals (among other things)
Steppenwolf arrives in the middle of Themiscyra, for what is likely to be the film’s first major action sequence. How he gets there is a mystery, but anyone who knows a bit about motherboxes aren’t as confused. Despite it being used as a power source to create Cyborg, Motherboxes are usually gifts to those born of New Genesis or Apokolips. They’re able to grant the wishes or demands of their owner, much like Green Lantern rings. They’re presence on Earth is likely the hot button issue for this film.
13. There are several motherboxes on Earth
One motherbox was used to create Cyborg. That much can be seen in his brief appearance in Batman v Superman. The scene where the Parademon appears behind Silas Stone is likely a flashback to Cyborg’s origins. However, another Motherbox is seen within the halls of Themiscyra. Another scene has human male Barbarians burying a motherbox, but it’s unclear if that could be the one in Themiscyra or the one used to create Cyborg, or a completely different one. Steppenwolf had three mother boxes in the Batman v Superman Ultimate Edition extra, Communion.
14. The burgeoning relationship between Bruce and Diana
The New 52 had an infamous romance between Wonder Woman and Superman. But the fans have always been particularly fond of the Diana and Bruce relationship seen in the Justice League animated cartoon series. Now that Diana and Bruce are working so closely together, it looks like an unlikely romance could become a lot more plausible.
15. Lois Lane’s dreams may open the film
Several of the trailers’ openings have felt like they could be the introduction to the film. Lois Lane’s fantasy about the return of Superman could appear very differently in the final film. But it’s likely that it will serve as the film’s actual opening. It actually makes us miss Superman, which BvS failed to do, and it leads into the current state of the world.
16. Bruce will find Barry AFTER Themiscyra is attacked and will take him to Gotham
Diana walks up to Bruce and tells him the invasion has begun. This will likely be the spark that really brings the team together. After Themiscyra is attacked, Diana will have no choice but to look to Earth’s greatest metahumans to begin to fight back. This will then lead to Bruce approaching Flash after having ditched the idea after Arthur’s brazen refusal.
17. Amazonian strength has been nullified for the DCEU
Diana has always been special. Her strength and power come from her origin, but Amazons still pack a punch. Wonder Woman had them facing off against World War I soldiers, but that was blades versus bullets. Here, they appear to be facing off against a male army and doing well. In other iterations the Amazons possess great strength, but here they just appear to be gifted warriors without any notable super strength.
18. Scenes from previous trailers may be cut from the film
With the level of re-shoots rumored to be taking place, it’s possible that there will be sequences scene in early trailers that will not be in the final film. There certainly seems to be more of a focus on building the team itself than on the monsters they face. It’s a smart choice to make us actually care about the band of heroes.
19. The team will not unite because of Batman, but because of the invasion
Though Batman seeks to put his team together, he’ll likely fail. Wonder Woman is a friend and the Flash is a fan, but Arthur isn’t buying it. Cyborg’s initiation remains a mystery, but chances are he also denies Bruce’s offer. Instead, the beginning of the invasion will likely be what brings Arthur out of the ocean and Cyborg out of hiding.
20. The film will have multiple “openings”
Between Lois Lane’s dream, Wonder Woman stopping an attack and Bruce Wayne searching for heroes, there will be multiple “opening” sequences for our heroes to go through. It’s unknown which of these moments will actually take place at the beginning of the film, but as Lois Lane’s is the most emotional it’s probable the one that takes the cake.
21. Corrupted human army become Parademons and/or monsters
While facing off against the Amazonians, a male army is seen being corrupted by powers unknown. Whether or not they directly transform into Parademons or another, yet unrevealed monster is unclear. But what is clear is that this will likely explain why there aren’t many civilians seen on the corrupted Earth.
22. Changing humans to Parademons may avoid casualties
The DCEU has had some problems with wanton destruction. To avoid such things, there will likely be a reason for humans to be on the sidelines or somewhere safe. From the latest trailer, it appears Parademons are humans corrupted by the forces of Apokolips. However, we see Aquaman and Wonder Woman slicing and dicing these soldiers without any pity. Whether or not these creatures are redeemable is probably going to play a major part in the film.
Only time will tell…
Little clues and details give us insight into just how a movie will play out. What romances will take place; what conflicts will arise. A major blockbuster’s trailer has to make us believe that a 100 million dollar plus film can have relatable characters and an interesting plot. Though the film can feature some of our favorite characters we can never know if these particular actors will resemble what we know and love. Will this be the Justice League we know and love?
It’s a little over a month away before we see what Warner Bros. has in store for their heroes. With two very different directors behind the project, it’ll be interesting to see how the film plays out both visually and tonally. What is clear is that this was put together by an incredible team of enthusiastic artists who have been at this for years now. The cast and crew have put their hearts and souls on display for audiences. Time to see just what they have created.