George Miller (Happy Feet) has finally been officially announced as the director of Justice League as Variety carries the story.
Over the past two months his name has been connected to the film without any “official” word on his involvement. The project is in the initial phases of casting, but is labeled as a pre-strike priority for the studio, which needs a superhero tentpole in 2009. This must mean Bryan Singer’s Man of Steel follow-up of Superman Returns is firmly placed on the back burner. It also means Dark Knight helmer Chris Nolan and star Christain Bale are probably not so happy, since both had expressed wishes that Warner would hold off on the project until they were done with their Batman franchise, which I would assume they were eyeing a trilogy.
The Justice League flick is set to feature the characters of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash and Aquaman. It has pretty much already been confirmed that Superman star Brandon Routh and Bale would not be reprising their roles as Superman and Batman for the next film. Online rumors have stated interest in “Smallville” star Tom Welling as the Man of Steel, and Ryan Reynolds has been mentioned for the Flash, but those are all rumors as of right now.
Word is that one of the reasons for moving quickly is that Warners is so keen on the Justice League script by Kieran and Michele Mulroney. So, I guess we should expect a special effects extravaganza in 2009, but I remaing hopeful that it doesn’t stop Chris Nolan from making a third Batman flick for 2010.
