Today, Warner Bros. Entertainment dropped the official trailer for Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths on their YouTube channel. Around the same time, IGN also revealed an exclusive first look at a scene from the movie. For those who don’t know, Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue limited series created by the now deceased Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, which ran from 1985 to 1986. The official synopsis provided by DC on the graphic novel is as follows:
This is the story that changed the DC Universe forever. A mysterious being known as the Anti-Monitor has begun a crusade across time to bring about the end of all existence. As alternate earths are systematically destroyed, the Monitor quickly assembles a team of super-heroes from across time and space to battle his counterpart and stop the destruction. DC’s greatest heroes including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Aquaman, assemble to stop the menace, but as they watch both the Flash and Supergirl die in battle, they begin to wonder if even all of the heroes in the world can stop this destructive force.
The 12-issue series is considered by DCU fans to be one of the best runs in the comic’s history. That said, given DC Studios’ positive track record with animated films, it’s easy to see why everyone is so excited for this event. The film itself will be split up into a three-part series, which makes sense considering how long the crisis event lasted for. The animated adaptation will also mark the end of the Tomorrowverse, which is a series of animated films and shorts that share the same universe. In order, these releases include:
- DC Showcase: Adam Strange (2020)
- Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020)
- Justice Society: World War II (2021)
- DC Showcase: Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth! (2021)
- Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One (2021)
- Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two (2021)
- Constantine: The House of Mystery (2022)
- Green Lantern: Beware My Power (2022)
- Legion of Super-Heroes (2023)
- Justice League: Warworld (2023)
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths will take place directly after the events of Justice League: Warworld. In the upcoming three-part series, we’ll see Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Green Arrow, and Green Lantern, along with hundreds of other heroes, fight alongside each other as each of their realities is threatened with complete annihilation.
What Else Do We Know About Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths?
So far, we know that the film will be split into three parts, each of which will be released on different dates throughout 2024. Currently, sources seem to point towards a digital version of part one being available for purchase in January 2024. Shortly after the digital release, a limited edition SteelBook version will then be available for sale. Per Warner Bros. Studios, we also have an official synopsis for the film:
Death is coming. Worse than death: oblivion. Not just for our Earth, but for everyone, everywhere, in every universe! Against this ultimate destruction, the mysterious Monitor has gathered the greatest team of Super Heroes ever assembled. But what can the combined might of Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern and hundreds of Super Heroes from multiple Earths even do to save all of reality from an unstoppable antimatter armageddon?!
Now, previously I gave a synopsis of the graphic novel, which indicated the fates of some characters. However, while most are certain that the animated film will stay faithful to the overall plot of the comic issue, we don’t yet know if it’ll be a 1:1 adaptation. There are a few plot points that could be changed, especially if DC intends to keep comic readers on their toes.
We also have a list of a few voice actors, some of who will be reprising roles that they’ve had for iconic characters throughout the Tomorrowverse:
- Darren Criss as the voice of Superman
- Jensen Ackles as the voice of Batman
- Stana Katic as the voice of Wonder Woman
- Meg Donnelly as the voice of Supergirl
- Zachary Quinto as the voice of Lex Luthor
- Zack Callison as the voice of Nightwing
- Ike Amadi as the voice of Martian Manhunter
Of course, this movie includes a large roster of heroes, so expect to see more familiar voices being paired to certain characters as more details emerge. Moving on, while there hasn’t been an official runtime given for the trilogy series, most sources seem to agree that each part will last for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Conclusion
As we finally close out the Tomorrowverse, which has been more than an amazing ride, the end of this trilogy will officially mark the end of an old era and the beginning of what fans are dubbing as the “Gunnverse.” As someone who deeply admires the work that Marv Wolfman and George Pérez put into Crisis on Infinite Earths, finally getting to see it animated is nothing short of a dream come true. With high hopes for this three part series and James Gunn spearheading the future of the DCU, we may finally witness DC having greater success in areas where it originally failed.
Like other fans of the DCU, I excitedly await the premiere of part one and the opportunity to see many of my favorite characters fighting a common threat. With all of that in mind, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. How do you expect this trilogy series to turn out? Are there any characters you’re looking forward to seeing on screen? Which film in the Tomorrowverse lineup is your favorite? If you‘d like to keep the conversation going, comment on this article. Alternatively, you can subscribe to me at ‘Keith Price’ to get my takes on everything related to Gaming, Tech, and DCU comics!
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References
DC. (n.d.). CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS. Retrieved from https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/crisis-on-infinite-earths-1985/crisis-on-infinite-earths
Warner Bros. (2023). JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS PART ONE. Retrieved from https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/justice-league-crisis-infinite-earths-part-one
YouTube. (December 4, 2023). Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths Part One | Official Trailer | Warner Bros. Entertainment. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx2srhhtB_c
YouTube. (December 4, 2023). Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths — Part One: Exclusive Clip (2024) Jensen Ackles. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqlvQKDRCBU