Will Bell talks about his vision for Justice League and how his script will influence the Snyder Cut.
Will Bell, best known for his work on ‘Gangster Squad’, was selected to write the 2011 ‘Justice League’ film. Warner Bros wanted to emulate the success of Marvel Studios after the release of ‘The Avengers’ and considered Ben Affleck as a director, long before he was cast as Batman in the DCEU.
The evolution of the project
Later, plans changed. ‘Man of Steel’ and ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ laid the groundwork for Zack Snyder’s version. But until ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ is released on stream in 2021, reshoots directed by Joss Whedon have completely changed the film.
Beall, who received a screenwriting credit on this version, recently shared why the name came about and how the script differed from the final score. “I wouldn’t call my experience poor,” he told the Wrap. “I can only speak from my experience. I didn’t have an experience that didn’t work on ‘Aquaman.'” I loved working with James Wan and Geoff Johns, and I really enjoyed working on that movie.
Bell script and its variations
Beall produced the first draft of ‘Justice League’, and some elements of the script made it to Snyder’s cut. “I’m very happy to be able to contribute,” he said. The biggest difference is that most of his version’s second act focuses on a post-apocalyptic dream sequence or flashback where the good guys and bad guys are forced to team up. “A lot of my second act had to do with that.”
The screenwriter made it clear that time travel was always part of the ‘Justice League’ plot, which Whedon completely avoided in his simple version. “My version owed a lot to ‘Back to the Future II’.”
A new opportunity in the DC universe
When asked if he would be willing to return to the DC Universe to work with James Gunn, Biel didn’t rule it out. Beverly Hills Cop: “These are great characters,” commented writer Axl F. “Batman, Axel Foley, or Mike and Marcus, are iconic American characters.”
It’s always fun to think about what could have been, and somewhere along the line there’s the fact that this version of ‘Justice League’ was released, which is a completely different DCEU.
Inheritance of the original script
Will Bell, known in the industry for his ability to create complex and engaging narratives, had a different vision for ‘Justice League’. His approach, clearly influenced by film classics like ‘Back to the Future II’, offered a narrative that played with concepts of time and space, placing the characters in dystopian scenarios where heroes and villains must work together to survive.
This approach would have given the DCEU an extra dimension by exploring not only action and adventure, but also personal dynamics in extreme situations. The idea of a second act filled with flashbacks and apocalyptic dream sequences could have offered fans a richer and more complex cinematic experience.
Snyder’s Cut influence
The release of the Snyder Cut in 2021 allowed fans to see a version closer to Zack Snyder’s original vision. Although not entirely Bell’s script, the influence is evident. The inclusion of scenes that explore possible futures and the relationships between characters are elements that fit Beall’s original ideas.
It highlights not only what Will Beal’s version of Justice League could be, but the continued potential of the DC Universe. With talents like Beall teaming up with new creative leaders like James Gunn, the future of the DCEU promises to continue to surprise and delight fans.
It’s fascinating to think about the different paths a story can take and how each vision brings its own magic to the universe we know and love. Bell’s contribution to “Justice League” is his ability to imagine the extraordinary and how each piece of the cinematic puzzle has its own value.