True Story Of The Best Batman Movies Never Made
2. 2004-1009: The Other Batman VS Superman & Justice League
While DC ensembles became a thing with the DCEU seeking to emulate the MCU, there were TWO projects in the works during the 2000s that almost saw it happen earlier.
First, Batman & Robin screenwriter Akiva Goldsman adapted an old treatment for Wolfgang Petersen to direct as a semi-continuation of the Burton/Schumacher universe at the same time as Aronofsky was still trying to make Year One. His Batman v Superman film would have seen the Joker return and kill Bruce Wayne's new wife, Elizabeth on their honeymoon, leading to him coming out of retirement and going even darker.
Superman would have stepped in to stop him killing The Joker and the heroes would have fought before eventually seeing the error of their ways and teaming up to take down The Joker and Lex Luthor. It was set for release in 2004, but ultimately Warner Bros decided to focus on getting Year One in and developing JJ Abrams Superman: Flyby.
But there was still some consideration for ensembles and as late as 2009, Warners turned to Mad Max director George Miller for Justice League: Mortal.
The plot focused on the aftermath of Batman's creation of Brother Eye - a Skynet-like program that monitors the world's superheroes and tracks how to terminate them, in the event of it being necessary. It was then down to other heroes - Iris Allen, The Flash, Wally West, and Superman to prove him wrong by showing him that everyone can be good.
Armie Hammer was cast as Batman, D.J. Cotrona as Superman, Common as Green Lantern, Adam Brody as The Flash, Anton Yelchin as The Flash (Wally West), Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, Santiago Cabrera as Aquaman, and Hugh Keays-Byrne as Martian Manhunter.
Unfortunately in January 2008, Warner Bros. announced it was on indefinite hold, officially because the script needed work, which was impossible because of the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike. Eventually it shuffled off into Development Hell and was cancelled.