How Warner Bros. Should Have Made Justice League

There were clearly plans to add a seventh hero to Justice League's six-strong roster at one point. Why else would its tagline have read 'Unite the Seven' during the early stages of the marketing campaign?

Providing the runtime was extended considerably, the addition of a seventh hero could have really enriched the movie, providing the filmmakers selected the right candidate. Two spring to mind: Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter.

Either one of these would have added substance to the DC Extended Universe and expanded its cosmic scope, as well as introducing the audience to heroes with more interesting powers than superhuman sprinting or the ability to talk to marine wildlife.

Justice League could have really used a decent twist in the final act. Superman's return was inevitable from the moment he fell in Dawn of Justice, but if Green Lantern or Martian Manhunter had shown up to provide some extra firepower at the end, that would have been a genuine, fan-pleasing surprise.

Green Lantern is a founder member of the Justice League and his comics have been in print almost constantly since the 1940s. He had as much right to be in the film as Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg.

His inclusion would also have given Warner the chance to wash away the bitter aftertaste of the reviled Ryan Reynolds movie of 2011. After Deadpool, comic book fans have forgiven Reynolds for Green Lantern. Isn't it time Warner and DC offered an apology of their own?

Martian Manhunter presents the opportunity to introduce casual moviegoers to a hero they may not be familiar with, one with powers unique to the team such as telekinesis and telepathy, no less.

By bringing in the cosmic big guns, DC and Warner could have expanded the Justice League's universe beyond the confines of planet Earth, fleshed the franchise out with cosmic lore, and set up two more solo films to boot.