Have you seen that Roger Corman movie version of the Fantastic Four? You know, the one that is only really available in bootleg form in convention dealer’s rooms? I’m starting to think that’s going to look like an Oscar-worthy film in comparison to the ever-pending JLA picture, which is the subject of more casting rumors this week – and this is on top of Jay Baruchel pretty much confirming his involvement and other reports that the movie is in shambles.
In fact, the JLA project is now in so much doubt, we’re taking our rumors from just about anywhere, because they are just as likely to be true as the more reliable sources. The studio certainly hasn’t come forward with any official news, so let’s just get our information from our brother’s roommate, whose third cousin (twice removed) has lunch with a guy who works in Warner Brothers’ commissary.
First up, news from the blog of Emi Jayne, who says Armie Hammer, one of the rumored Batman actors for JLA is not actually up for Bats, but instead will take on one of the villains. Which one? No clue – in fact, Jayne says the news is unconfirmed, unlike a lot of the news on the blog. Later, in the comments of the blog post, there seems to be doubt shed about Hammer’s involvement at all, as Batman, a villain, or anything beyond big talk.
From an equally confident source (the IESB discussion boards), comes the name Dominique Pinon. Apparently word in the French film industry is that the Alien 3 actor has been offered a villain role. Again, no confirmation, although they do argue about the Hammer rumor, claiming he’s playing Batman or nobody.
I stand by my gut feeling on JLA - that we’re getting ready to see an epic failure on par with Waterworld or The Golden Compass on our hands here. There’s got to be a reason WB hasn’t released a cast announcement, even though the cast was scheduled to be finalized almost two months ago, with the expectation of a press announcement around Thanksgiving. Allegedly the writer’s strike isn’t helping, and the script is in need of revisions that can’t happen, but filming may move forward regardless. At least with no major stars attached (as far as we can tell), the movie may not cost quite as much to make, but I still expect this to wind up an overhyped bomb before all is said and done.
