James Gunn’s Superman Is Setting Up A Different Justice League

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James Gunn's Superman Is Setting Up A Different Justice League

Highlights

  • Behind-the-scenes images of
    Superman
    (2025) suggest Mr. Terrific, Guy Gardner, and Hawkgirl are part of a lesser-known superhero society.
  • Sean Gunn is set to play Maxwell Lord in the film, a character who played a pivotal role in forming a different kind of Justice League in the mid-1980s.
  • The presence of Justice League International could pay tribute to a fascinating era of DC Comics and hint at how a more familiar Justice League will arrive in the DCU.

As a long-time comic book enthusiast and collector, I’m thrilled to see James Gunn diving deep into DC Comics history for inspiration in his upcoming “Superman” film. Having grown up reading stories of the Justice League International (JLI), an era that brought humor, dysfunction, and character development to the forefront, I’m eagerly anticipating how this team will be brought to life on the big screen.

Filmings for James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie, titled “DC Universe’s Superman,” are progressing well in Cleveland. In June 2024, production set photos provided fans with their initial glimpse into the supporting characters gracing the new DC Universe film. Several recognized names from DC Comics lore will appear for the first time within this cinematic universe. Based on recent shoot sneak peeks, it’s possible that a traditional superhero community may emerge in this production.

Mr. Terrific, Guy Gardner, and Hawkgirl can be spotted on set donning comparable costumes, featuring jackets and a distinctive emblem. These three characters seem to collaborate, distinguishing themselves from Superman and absent any recognized superteam in cinematic history. Long-time DC Comics aficionados and Justice League connoisseurs will recognize the resemblance to an intriguing and peculiar epoch: Justice League International.

What Is Justice League International?

The Justice League has gone through various forms since its debut in “The Brave and the Bold” #28, published in March 1960. This brilliant concept of uniting DC Comics’ most powerful superheroes significantly contributed to the success of comic books during the Silver Age, inspiring Stan Lee and Jack Kirby to introduce the “Fantastic Four” soon afterward.

Despite the appeal of assembling a powerhouse team, forming such a squad isn’t simple. Initially, attempts were made to exclude Superman and Batman from the Justice League to give less renowned characters a chance to shine. The idea of strength in numbers, a common concept for the League, eventually prevailed. An enlarged roster including heroes like Green Arrow and Atom provided readers with a diverse range of adventures featuring DC’s entire heroic lineup.

The Justice Society of old served as a starting point for its members to go on solo missions. But the Justice League was created with the primary goal of defeating enormous threats collectively. As the flagship DC team, they facilitated collaborations among superheroes. However, following DC Comics’ landmark continuity revamp, “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” things drastically changed.

After the popular crossover events in the mid-1980s, editors began to restrict the use of certain characters in their titles. For instance, John Byrne’s “Man of Steel” series was revamping Superman for a modern era, leaving the Justice League without its major players. The new creative team of writers Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis, along with artist Kevin Maguire, were left without the mainstays that had previously headed the League. However, Batman was given an exception as legendary editor Dennis O’Neil felt compassion for the young creators working on the Justice League.

Despite facing the challenge of working with characters outside of DC Comics, Giffen and his team creatively utilized these uncontroversial figures. Notable examples include Blue Beetle, originally from Charlton Comics, and Captain Marvel, or Shazam, who first appeared in Fawcett Comics prior to DC absorbing both publishers into their universe. Additionally, newer DC characters such as Booster Gold, created by Dan Jurgens, joined the cast.

The latest blend proved ideal for narratives focusing on character development. A major factor contributing to the new series and its derivatives’ popularity was the lighthearted approach to the quirky ensemble, enhanced by Giffen’s creative decision to amplify personality traits: Guy Gardner as Green Lantern became even more annoying; Black Canary emerged as a strong-willed feminist icon; Booster Gold took on a new dimension; and Captain Marvel presented an immature adult with extraordinary abilities.

After the crises of “Crisis” and “Legends,” this league underwent significant changes. Following these events, the team functioned under the supervision of an international political organization. They opened embassies in numerous countries through the United Nations. The revamped team remained dominant for over a decade, which is now referred to as the Justice League International era, even though the team had different names like Justice League Europe and Justice League America during this time.

How Is Justice League International Taking Shape In Superman?

James Gunn's Superman Is Setting Up A Different Justice League

Introducing Guy Gardner, a rough-around-the-edges Green Lantern Corps member, into the DC Universe may spark thoughts of the Justice League International among fans. The inclusion of Hawkgirl and Mr. Terrific, however, implies that Gunn has merged the League with a contemporary version of the Justice Society. Yet, the most telling clue lies in the costumes of these superheroes.

Despite the entertaining and quirky conflicts among the Justice League Inc. that could turn an ordinary workday into an thrilling supervillain showdown, there was a sinister side to it all. Pioneering its approach, including its political stance, Maxwell Lord emerged as the team’s enigmatic benefactor. He played a crucial role in their establishment, funded their operations, and assumed the challenging duty of managing them. On multiple occasions, Lord became a target for the League’s adversaries and displayed an unyielding determination to achieve his objectives, even if it meant endangering people.

In the DC Universe, Sean Gunn takes on the role of Maxwell Lord previously portrayed by Pedro Pascal in “Wonder Woman 1984”. Photos from set reveal Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific, and Gardner displaying Lordtech emblems, implying they are part of Maxwell Lord’s superteam. James Gunn’s DCU debut may see Lord successfully assembling a team of superheroes, without the involvement of heavyweights like Superman or the absence of Batman and Wonder Woman from the film.

As a longtime fan of the DC Universe, I’m thrilled to see a new storyline that delves into a lesser-known but beloved corner of this expansive world. The potential for instant world-building and fresh perspectives is enormous, and it could even offer some intriguing insights into how the Justice League comes together. Having followed the adventures of DC’s iconic heroes for years, I can’t wait to see where this new exploration takes us.

What Happened To Justice League International, And Could That Happen In The DCU?

James Gunn's Superman Is Setting Up A Different Justice League

Maxwell Lord experienced a major transformation following the “Invasion” event, which unleashed a hidden metagene and turned him into a formidable telepath. He gained the ability to manipulate minds at great cost to himself, and later became a pivotal figure in the grand saga “Infinite Crisis,” firmly established as a villain.

In the aftermath of “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” it came to light that Lord had been leading the clandestine organization Checkmate all along. With a wealth of intelligence on superheroes at his disposal, Lord put his long-standing plan into motion, aiming to annihilate them. Possessing the ability to manipulate Superman’s mind, Lord quickly took command of Batman’s Brother Eye network and moved closer to victory as he converted parts of the human population into cyborg OMACs. To thwart Lord, Wonder Woman was compelled to take drastic measures, ultimately ending his life in a series of contentious scenes that marked the finale of Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel.”

In the late 1990s, the Justice League experienced a significant resurgence in DC Comics following the decline of Justice League International due to poor sales. This revival led to an amazing and highly impactful phase of the Justice League during the Modern Age of comic books.

During his impressive tenure, Grant Morrison transformed the League into the Justice League of America (JLA), attracting the most powerful DC Universe characters to form an unstoppable superteam in a flagship series. The modern JLA has left its mark on every subsequent version, shaping DC comics, video games, animated adaptations, and the DCEU. Throughout their adventures, the JLA faced off against formidable adversaries like Darkseid, Mageddon, Starro, and a rogue’s gallery featuring Lex Luthor and the Joker. A stark contrast to the Justice League International (JLI) days, where they battled lighter foes such as Champions of Angor, Despero, and the Grey Man.

The Justice League International (JLI) has made a comeback in comic books, proving that a strong team never really stays defeated. With James Gunn, known for his deep exploration of DC Comics’ rich history and an evident fan of character-driven stories, on board to bring the JLI to live-action, this could be their most shining moment. Previews of Metropolis’ cityscape in upcoming Superman productions reveal that Gunn has honored numerous creators by incorporating tributes into the set design, preserving the legacy that was previously synonymous with the film title.

Instead of Superman repeating the tale of Zod’s creation once more, fans could soon witness an unfamiliar backstory for the Justice League.

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2024-07-18 17:04