JUSTICE LEAGUE's Opening Scene Was Director By Joss Whedon and it Was Originally Supposed to Be More Comedic
I know a lot of fans are wondering what scenes from Justice League were written and directed by Joss Whedon. We know all the Superman scenes where we see him with the CGI upper lip were done by Whedon. Now we know that the opening scene involving Batman capturing a burglar to lure out a Parademon was Whedon's doing as well.
The big reveal comes from actor Holt McCallany, who played the burglar. He explains in an interview with Comic Book that the opening scene was originally supposed to be more comedic. In fact, Whedon originally shot the scene they way he intended it to play out, but then Warner Bros. stepped in and had him change it up. That's kind of weird because the whole reason the studio wanted Joss Whedon on board was to lighten things up! Then he does that and they tell him to make it darker again. So weird. McCallany explains:
"I love Joss Whedon. My scene with Batman was originally conceived as a comedic scene. That’s how Joss wrote it, and that’s how we shot it. I thought it came out great, but the studio felt it would be a mistake to open the film with a completely comedic scene, so it was re-edited a little bit. I was disappointed, but when I got home to New York I found a bottle of my favorite Champagne and a note from Joss that said ‘To Battles Lost. Gratefully, Joss.’ I can’t tell you how much it meant to me that he took the time to write to me. Joss Whedon is a class act. I had the letter framed.”
McCallany went on to share his experience shooting the scene:
"It was a great experience, and a fun scene to shoot. Ben [Affleck] was very easygoing, we got it in just a few takes. My favorite fight scenes are usually ones that are choreographed with some style to them, and ones that are choreographed around a particular actor’s individual strengths. The old adage in the fight game is 'styles make fights.' I like to design my own fight choreography in conjunction with my director and stunt coordinator whenever possible, and here it was a great way to be a part of the film—even though I got beat by Batman."
I hope that we get to see that scene the way it was originally intended at some point. Maybe on the home entertainment release or something. I liked the opening scene that was in the final cut of the film, but maybe we could've had something better.