Justice League (2017)

Last updated:
October 20, 2024

Detailed Summary

The Death of Superman

Following the events of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” the world is in mourning after the death of Superman (Henry Cavill). Crime rates have increased, and a sense of despair permeates the atmosphere. Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck), inspired by Superman’s sacrifice, seeks to unite a team of superheroes to protect the world from an impending threat.

The Rise of Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds), an ancient extraterrestrial warlord, returns to Earth to reclaim three powerful Mother Boxes. These boxes, when united, have the power to terraform the Earth and destroy all life. Steppenwolf seeks to conquer Earth and prove his worth to his master, Darkseid.

The Formation of the Justice League

Bruce Wayne, with the help of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), begins to recruit other metahumans:

Arthur Curry/Aquaman (Jason Momoa): The reluctant king of Atlantis who wields a powerful trident.
Barry Allen/The Flash (Ezra Miller): A young speedster with the ability to move at incredible speeds.
Victor Stone/Cyborg (Ray Fisher): A former college athlete transformed into a cybernetic superhero by one of the Mother Boxes.

Resurrection of Superman

Realizing they need more power to defeat Steppenwolf, the team decides to resurrect Superman using a combination of the Mother Box’s power and the Kryptonian ship’s technology. The resurrection is successful, but Superman is initially disoriented and hostile. After a brief conflict, Lois Lane (Amy Adams) helps him regain his senses.

The Final Battle

The Justice League tracks Steppenwolf to a remote Russian village where he plans to unite the Mother Boxes. A climactic battle ensues, with the team working together to prevent the destruction of Earth. Superman arrives just in time to turn the tide of the battle, showcasing his restored powers and resolve. Together, they manage to separate the Mother Boxes and defeat Steppenwolf, who is overwhelmed by fear and retreats via a Boom Tube.

The New Dawn

With the threat neutralized, the Justice League establishes their headquarters and vows to protect the world from future threats. Bruce and Diana begin planning for the future, hinting at the potential for more heroes to join their ranks.

Movie Ending

The film ends with the heroes returning to their respective lives, but now united by a common purpose. Superman is back to being the symbol of hope, Batman is reinvigorated with a sense of mission, Wonder Woman continues her role as a protector, Aquaman accepts his responsibilities as king, Flash embraces his new role as a hero, and Cyborg finds a new sense of belonging and purpose.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes, there are two post-credits scenes:

Mid-Credits Scene: A race between Superman and The Flash, referencing a popular comic book storyline.
Post-Credits Scene: Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) escapes from prison and is visited by Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello). Luthor suggests forming a “league of their own.”

Type of Movie

“Justice League” is a superhero action film that combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure. It features a team-up of iconic DC Comics characters, offering a blend of character-driven moments and large-scale action sequences.

Cast

Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman
Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman
Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman
Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman
Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash
Ray Fisher as Victor Stone/Cyborg
Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf
Amy Adams as Lois Lane
Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth
Diane Lane as Martha Kent
Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor (post-credits)
Joe Manganiello as Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (post-credits)

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Danny Elfman. Notably, Elfman incorporated themes from previous Batman and Superman films, adding a nostalgic touch to the soundtrack.

Filming Locations

London, England: Various urban scenes and key sequences.
Iceland: The location for Aquaman’s introduction.
Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, England: Many of the interior scenes and special effects work.
Scotland: Used for some of the scenic and action sequences.

These locations helped bring the diverse and expansive world of the Justice League to life.

Awards and Nominations

Saturn Awards: Nominated for Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture.
Golden Trailer Awards: Nominated for Best Action and Best Fantasy Adventure.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The film underwent significant reshoots directed by Joss Whedon after Zack Snyder stepped down due to a family tragedy.
The tonal shift in the film was partly due to Whedon’s influence, leading to a mix of Snyder’s darker style and Whedon’s lighter, more humorous approach.
Henry Cavill’s mustache had to be digitally removed in post-production due to his commitment to “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.”

Inspirations and References

Source Material: The film is inspired by various Justice League comic book arcs, especially those involving the formation of the team and battles against Steppenwolf and Darkseid.
Previous Films: Continuation from “Man of Steel” (2013) and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016).

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Deleted Scenes: Several scenes involving more backstory for the characters, particularly Cyborg, were cut for pacing and runtime considerations.
Alternate Ending: The original vision by Zack Snyder included a setup for a larger confrontation with Darkseid, which was not fully realized in the final cut.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Comic Book Source: The Justice League has been a staple of DC Comics since its debut in 1960. The film takes liberties with character introductions and interactions to fit the cinematic universe.
Differences: The film’s storyline is a simplified version of various complex comic book arcs, focusing more on team formation and initial battles.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Superman’s Resurrection: The tension-filled moment when the team brings Superman back to life.
Batman’s Recruitment Efforts: Bruce Wayne’s interactions with potential team members.
Final Battle in Russia: The climactic showdown with Steppenwolf.

Iconic Quotes

“You can’t save the world alone.” – Tagline used in promotional material.
“Strong man is strongest alone.” – Aquaman to Batman
“I’m real when it’s useful.” – Batman

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Superman’s Black Suit: Briefly seen in the Kryptonian ship.
Green Lantern Corps: A quick glimpse of a Green Lantern during Steppenwolf’s flashback.
Parademons’ Fear: A nod to their vulnerability to fear, a theme common in DC Comics.

Trivia

The film had one of the most extensive marketing campaigns for a DC movie.
“Justice League” was the first live-action film to feature Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, and Cyborg together.
The film’s runtime is 120 minutes, making it one of the shorter entries in the DCEU.

Why Watch?

“Justice League” offers a chance to see some of the most iconic superheroes team up on the big screen. Despite its production challenges, the film delivers on action, spectacle, and introduces characters who would go on to have significant roles in the DC Extended Universe.