Justice League: The Houtchens Cut

 

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