Zack Snyder To Helm Justice League Series On HBO Max

The remarkable success of Zack Snyder's vision of the Justice League movie has yielded more DC fruit. Snyder helmed several films within the DC Extended Universe to limited success. When personal tragedy struck while filming Justice League, Snyder understandably left the project. Joss Whedon took over and finished the movie. The result was less than desirable for many fans. Many clamored for Snyder to redo the film. HBO Max released the Snyder cut in mid-March. Even with its 4-hour runtime, fans loved it.

With this film's success, WB and HBO Max have greenlit a new Justice League TV series for at least two seasons. The working title for the show is Just Us. Season one is slated for an early summer 2022 release. Pre-production has already begun. There is also talk of a spin-off anime series, too.

Just Us follows the aftermath of the Snyder cut of Justice League. The crux of the first few seasons of the show revolves around Darkseid and his quest for the Anti-Life Equation on Earth. Meanwhile, our favorite superheroes begin searching in earnest for other Metahumans to join the Justice League back on Earth.

An international all star cast including Dave Bautista, Tig Notaro, Pierce Brosnan, Hiroyuki Sanada, Matthias Schweighöfer, Huma Qureshi, Omari Hardwick, and Shohreh Aghdashloo have already signed onto the show.  

Zack Snyder will direct the majority of the episodes. Schweighöfer will guest direct a few, too. Jay Oliva of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns fame is the showrunner. He will also take a turn in the director's chair for at least two episodes.

Shay Hatten, one of the screenplay writers for Snyder's Army of the Dead, will write many of the episodes. The show will be produced primarily in Germany by Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, and Wesley Coller of The Stone Quarry and Schweighöfer, and Dan Maag of Pantaleon Films. One of the reasons for this European base is to develop more of an international audience for the reinvented, fledgling HBO Max. Snyder says:

"I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity to partner with HBO Max again as we expand the DC Extended Universe with both an international mindset, as well as exploring the visually dynamic world of animation. It's been a great collaboration, and we are thrilled that HBO Max sees this as big of an IP as we do."

Schweighöfer is also excited to be working with Snyder again. He commented, "It has already been a great pleasure to be part of this wonderful ensemble around Zack Synder – a fascinating project. I am happy that it is now being developed on so many different levels."

There are very few details of the anime series at this time. The idea is that it will focus on short stories to fill in the live-action series gaps. It will serve as a way to learn more about our heroes, especially the newly recruited ones. We will see how our main Justice League heroes are coping with the knowledge of Darkseid's imminent invasion. There will be division in their ranks about how to handle the public.

Dave Bautista will portray the Etrigan the Demon. His character will serve as a bridge between this series and the recently announced Zatanna movie. This will also be true of Pierce Brosnan, who will portray Doctor Fate, as previously announced.

Though many have signed to the show, not all of the roles are assigned. The always sharp-witted Tig Nataro will portray a gender-swapped Vigilante. Hiroyuki Sanada will portray Dr. Light (Arthur Light). Matthias Schweighöfer and Huma Qureshi will portray Mr. Miracle and Big Barda, respectively. Omari Hardwick will portray Mr. Terrific. Shohreh Aghdashloo will provide the sultry voice of the central computer at the Hall of Justice.

UTA and Untitled Entertainment represent Schweighöfer. Lee Stobby Entertainment reps Hatten. Snyder and Stone Quarry are repped by CAA.

Posted on April 1st.

Written By Leana Ahmed

Source(s): Press Release from WB, The Hollywood Reporter

Syndicated From Culture Slate

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