Modern comic book movies tend to rely on certain tried and true structures to work. Wade Wilson said it best in Deadpool; there are origin stories, and more lucrative ensemble films. However, a fundamentally different superhero movie like Justice League Dark requires a fundamentally different approach to the genre. That's something that Doug Liman has recognized, and he fully intends to turn the comic book genre on its head with the upcoming gothic DC adventure. The director explained:
I get asked to come in and do things that are 'unconventional.' If people want conventional, they don't come to me. It's why doing Invisible was like right up my alley -- because how can you be conventional when there aren't even conventions that exist? And so you know when Warner Bros. wants to sort of turn the comic book genre on its head, they call me.
While speaking with IGN about his involvement in the upcoming Justice League Dark film, Doug Liman explained that the very nature of his involvement in the movie means that the project will buck traditional comic book movie norms- something that excites him. Due to the fact that he's generally not known for doing "conventional" films, Warner Bros. clearly tapped him in order to properly ensure that Justice League Dark will look and feel unlike anything we have seen from other major comic book franchises. If they wanted a typical superhero film, they would've approached another director.
A simple look at Doug Liman's filmography will definitely sell you on that idea; his action films generally tend to be anything but formulaic. From the massively underrated Edge of Tomorrow, to The Bourne Identity (which was insanely innovative, despite its constant imitators), Doug Liman has proven time and time again that he has a knack for approaching stories and characters from bizarre new angles. With an ensemble film like Justice League Dark on the horizon, it seems likely that he's about to fundamentally alter the superhero movie formula. In the face of mounting superhero fatigue, we are completely fine with that.
Of course, if any comic book property inherently requires that type of approach, it's Justice League Dark. Despite the similar name to DC's most iconic superhero team, Dark eschews capes and cowls for paranormal threats and gothic sensibilities. Comprised of darker (obviously) characters like John Constantine, Swamp Thing, Deadman, and Zatanna, the team takes on supernatural entities that characters like Superman and Batman would never be able to handle. Justice League Dark is not Justice League; it's not even Suicide Squad. It's much more niche property, and Doug Liman seems to have a solid understanding of that fact.
If Doug Liman sticks to this promise, then we can likely expect Justice League Dark to become one of the most fascinating and off-kilter superhero movies of all time. We will keep you posted as more details become available; Justice League Dark does not have an official release date yet.
