Justice League: The Houtchens Cut
What would I do, should I be handed the reigns to make Justice
League a better movie? The ending that Zack Snyder finally realized was much
better than that of the original movie. The League fails, but the Flash uses
the speed force to go back in time and fix things so that they come out all
right, saving the Justice League and the world in the process.
Certainly, there were things that could have been done
better. I disliked how the Flash was used too often as comic relief. I also
strongly disliked how Superman was used as an enemy/antagonist, which is in
direct opposition to the character. Superman is super because he does the right
thing. While he does have weaknesses, he does not bend to pressure, allow
hostages to change his behavior or disregard his pursuit of the greatest good
under duress.
That being said, my version would require two additional
scenes being shot. The first occurs in the Batcave, before the final conflict
with a rather disappointing antagonist, Steppenwolf, who got a little more
defined with regards to his motivations in the final Snyder cut.
FADE IN:
INT. BATCAVE – NIGHT
BATMAN sits before the BATCOMPUTER which is a wall of
information, the only illumination in the dim cave. He frowns as he attempts to
find an elusive answer to defend the world from DARKSEID. Memories of FUTURE
FLASH and his haunting nightmare of a world that has been destroyed by the
invasion motivate him, but time is ticking down. BATMAN shakes his head as he
rejects various scenarios.
Just then, BATMAN is interrupted by a noise behind him. He
turns, then quickly returns to his work.
BAT-MITE
(enthusiastically) [off
camera]
Hiyas, Batman! Is
there any way I could help….
BATMAN
(displeased, still staring
at the screen)
Not now, Bat-Mite. I’m
very busy.
BAT-MITE
Okay, okay, I’ll go.
BATMAN pauses a moment, then his eyes light up.
BATMAN
Wait a minute.
FADE OUT:
INT. STEPPENWOLF's DOME – DAYLIGHT, FILTERED
Later, at the end of the movie after STEPPENWOLF’S decapitated
head is sent rolling across the floor into a boom tube which has just opened
up, DARKSEID enters the scene. The faces of the JUSTICE LEAGUE reflect
apprehension and concern. BATMAN dips his head down to his glove.
BATMAN
Alfred, activate plan
5D.
ALFRED (V.O.)
Very good, sir.
DARKSEID
(menacingly)
All your plans have
come to naught, foolish mortals. There is nothing that can keep me from joining
the three mother boxes and ensuring your destruction. Soon, you will join my
side in the conquest of this pathetic planet. Will means nothing. Desire means
nothing. Your lives mean even less.
SUPERMAN arrives on the scene, ready to deliver some punishment.
BATMAN
Don’t be so sure,
DARKSEID. There is a saying on Earth. Pride comes before the fall.
DARKSEID
How dare you address
me without permission!
DARKSEID approaches the remaining mother box. As he reaches
for it, it disappears in a puff of smoke. BATMAN actually smirks. SUPERMAN’s
eyes go wide, then his face falls into desperation.
SUPERMAN
Oh, no. You didn’t….
BATMAN
Yes, I did. I needed
a plan and I wasn’t sure if you would recover in time.
DARKSEID
What did you do with
my mother box?
BATMAN
“We” didn’t do
anything.
DARKSEID
I will destroy you!
An annoying, grating, heavily Bronx accented voice comes
from the surroundings.
MR. MXYZPTLK
No, you won’t! Hey,
Supes, I’m back!
MXYZPTLK appears bobbing in the air before DARKSEID. He wears
a SUPERMAN inspired bodysuit, with a bright red M on his chest.
BATMAN
Don’t worry. He’s on
our side. I made a deal.
The JUSTICE LEAGUE looks on in amazement while SUPERMAN suppresses a smile. DARKSEID tries hitting the flying imp but his fists meet time
and again with empty air.
MR. MXYZPTLK
You’re not playing
nice!
DARKSIDE
Die, fool!
DARKSEID’s eyes begin to turn red, his Omega beams charging.
MR. MXYZPTLK
You’ll be sorry!
The beams lance out at MXYZPTLK. In an amazing display of dexterity,
MXYZPTLK avoids the beams several times circling around to the buttocks of
DARKSEID where he pops out of existence just before the beams reach him.
DARKSEID
OWW!
MR. MYXZPTLK pops back into existence in front of DARKSEID once
more.
MR. MXYZPTLK
(displeased)
Go away! You are
bothering me!
DARKSEID vanishes in a puff of smoke, followed by the boom
tube.
CYBORG
What happened to him?
MR. MXYZPTLK
I sent him to the
farthest galaxy in this universe, to a planet with no life and no resources.
BATMAN
Welcome back to Earth,
MR. MXYZPTLK. You’ll be able to clean up the mess, right SUPERMAN?
SUPERMAN shakes his head and hides his eyes with a hand,
while the JUSTICE LEAGUE shares a laugh and a smile.
FADE OUT:
THE END
