In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, DC Entertainment President Geoff Johns opened up about the changes coming to the cinematic DCEU and how the optimism the production is aiming for with Justice League isn’t out of the ordinary for the DC characters.
“Mistakenly in the past I think the studio has said, ‘Oh, DC films are gritty and dark and that’s what makes them different.’ That couldn’t be more wrong,” Johns said. “It’s a hopeful and optimistic view of life. Even Batman has a glimmer of that in him. If he didn’t think he’d make tomorrow better, he’d stop.”
The outlet reports that following fan reactions to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the time table for “hope and optimism” was accelerated for the heroes’ next big adventure.
They also reveal that Justice League will address one of the major fan complaints from the film, Batman’s default mode of extreme violence and the attempted murder of Superman. In addition, they say the film will have fewer of Zack Snyder’s “controversial flourishes” like the apocalyptic dream sequence from Dawn of Justice and will focus on the actual plot of the film at hand.
Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.
Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot will be reprising their roles as the DC Trinity, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman in Warner Bros.‘ Justice League, and joining them are Jason Mamoa as Aquaman, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, and Ezra Miller as The Flash. Amber Heard is set to play Queen Mera in the film as well before moving to the solo Aquaman movie in 2018, with Willem Dafoe appearing as Atlantean Vulko, and J.K. Simmons playing Commissioner Gordon.
Directed by Zack Snyder (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), Justice League will debut in theaters on November 10, 2017.
