Justice League II

***Justice League II*** is a 2021 superhero film based on the DC Comics team of the same name. It is the twelfth film of the DCEU and the eighth and final film of Phase 2. It was released on July 16, 2021.

## Plot Summary

A new opponent has come for Earth, and Green Lantern Alpha of Sector 2814 tries to tell the Justice League of this threat. They're not from Earth though, and they're not from the stars either. They are from another Earth... another universe entirely. A universe where evil was favored over good. They are coming for this Earth. They are... the Crime Syndicate.

## Cast

### Justice League

* Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent
* Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne
* Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince
* Lucas Till as The Flash/Barry Allen
* Chad Michael Murray as Aquaman/Arthur Curry
* Lance Reddick as Martian Manhunter/J'onn J'onzz
* John Krasinski as Green Lantern Alpha/Hal Jordan
* Zachary Levi as Captain Marvel
	+ Asher Angel as Billy Batson

* Garrett Hedlund as Green Arrow/Oliver Queen

### Crime Syndicate

* Michael Fassbender as Ultraman/Clark Kent
* Christian Bale as Owlman/Thomas Wayne Jr.
* Jaimie Alexander as Superwoman/Diana
* Matt Letscher as Johnny Quick/John Chambers
* Ashton Kutcher as Power Ring/Harold Jordan
* Zachary Quinto as Captain Thunder/William Batson
* Charlie Hunnam as Deadeye/Ollivander King
* Josh Holloway as Sea King/King Orin
* Ivana Baquero as Martianhunter/K'hym J'onzz

### Supporting Cast

* Rachel McAdams as Lois Lane
* Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth
* Carly Chaikin as Iris West
* Jack Dylan Grazer as Freddy Freeman
* Teresa Palmer as Black Canary/Dinah Lance

## Reception

*Justice League II* received positive reviews from critics and audiences. "Vaughn replacing George Miller was skeptical at first, but proved to be satisfactory, when he delivered a film arguably better than the first." Many praised the performances, writing, action, themes, and the Crime Syndicate being more three dimensional than their comic book counterparts. However, some thought the movie was a bit overstuffed, confusing, and was not as good as the first movie, as well as not enough action. The relationship between Reddick's J'onn and Baquero's K'hym was a highlight.

## Trivia

* Matthew Vaughn's only choice for Ultraman was Michael Fassbender after working with him on *X-Men: First Class*. In turn, Fassbender only agreed to do the film because Vaughn was director and co-writer.
* The vast majority of the Crime Syndicate is based on people who have been in superhero projects before this, as well as people who were casting favorites for their hero counterpart. Michael Fassbender was Magneto in four of the *X-Men* films, Christian Bale was Batman in *The Dark Knight* trilogy, Jaimie Alexander was a favorite among fans for the role of Wonder Woman, Matt Letscher was Reverse-Flash/Eobard Thawne in *The Flash* TV series, Charlie Hunnam was a favorite among fans for the role of Green Arrow, and Josh Holloway was a favorite among fans for the role of Aquaman. Some stated that Ashton Kutcher could've been a good choice for Green Lantern, but it was a small minority.
* Ivana Baquero was chosen for the role of K'hym J'onzz due to Guillermo del Toro's insistence after working with her on *Pan's Labyrinth*.
* The counterpart for Martian Manhunter was changed from simply a White Martian like in the comics (who didn't really have a large role anyway) to a brainwashed, grief stricken, and broken bounty hunter/hitwoman version of J'onn's daughter (who survived instead of him). Vaughn stated that the original counterpart was "boring" and that changing it into an evil version of his daughter offered more character and story potential.