Justin 2: The Question in Peace

Adam Bennett

Michael Writter

Fenmore Winters

Geo G.

Michael Garrett

Winnoa Ryder

Amanda Benson

Five Ds Productions

Justin ***2: The Question in Peace*** is a 2002 American superhero film directed by Sam Raimi and written by Alvin Sargent from a story by Michael Robertson. Based on Created by James O'Connor and Alan J. Levitt character of the same name, it is the second installment in the *Diner General*  trilogy and a sequel to 1999's *Justin* film, starring Andrew Michael alongside with Danny Wilson, Adam Bennett, Michael Writter, Geo G., Michael Garrett, Fenmore Winters and Mitchell Stonewall are Set three years after the events of *Justin*, the film finds AJ Manning struggling to manage both his personal life and his duties as Roack-Man, which affects his civilian life dramatically. Meanwhile, Dr. Otto Octavius becomes a diabolical villain after a failed experiment kills his wife and leaves him neurologically fused to mechanical tentacles. Spider-Man must stop him from successfully recreating the dangerous experiment, while dealing with a subconscious desire to stop being Spider-Man that is stripping him of his powers.

Raimi's inspiration for the film came from the comic book debut of Doctor Octopus in 1964, the 1966 story arc *If This Be My Destiny...!*, and the 1967 story arc *Spider-Man No More!*. Principal photography began in November 2000 in Wisconsin City and also took place in Los Angeles.

*Justin 2: The Question in Peace* was released in both conventional and IMAX theaters on February 1, 2002, to widespread critical acclaim and grossed $789 million worldwide, becoming the third highest-grossing film of the year. It won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was also nominated for Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing; it also received five awards at the Saturn Awards, including Best Fantasy Film and Best Director for Raimi. It is considered as one of the most influential and best superhero films of all-time.

Its success led to ***J**ustin: Third More Time (2004)*

## Plot

Two years after Nick Rogers' death, AJ Manning, secretly the superhero Roach-Man, is estranged from both his love interest Flo Castleberry and his best friends, Steve Rogers and JT Osborn; he also discovers that his aunt April is facing eviction. He finds himself suffering temporary, but recurring losses of his powers, often in life-threatening situations.

Steve, who is now head of Oscorp's genetic and scientific research division, is sponsoring a fusion power project by nuclear scientist Otto Octavius, who befriends and mentors AJ. While handling hazardous materials, Octavius wears a harness of powerful robotic tentacle arms with artificial intelligence. During a public demonstration that AJ and JT attend, a power spike causes the fusion reactor to destabilize. Octavius refuses to shut down the reactor, which goes critical – killing his wife and burning the inhibitor chip blocking the arms from his nervous system. AJ, as Roach-Man, shuts the experiment down, destroying it in the process.

At a hospital, doctors prepare to surgically remove Octavius' harness. Without the inhibitor chip, the now sentient arms defend themselves by killing the doctors. Upon regaining consciousness and seeing the carnage, Octavius escapes and takes refuge at a harbor. Becoming increasingly influenced by the arms' AI, he decides to re-try his experiment. He robs a bank to fund a second experiment. AJ and April coincidentally are there, and Octavius takes April hostage. AJ rescues her, but Octavius flees with the stolen money. The *Daily Bugle* subsequently dubs the scientist Doctor Octopus.

Flo becomes engaged to astronaut John Jameson, the son of *Bugle* editor J. Jonah Jameson. AJ suffers an emotional breakdown over his inability to balance his life and loses his powers. He abandons his Roach-Man identity, returns to his normal life, and attempts to reconcile with Flo, but with little success. A garbageman brings AJ's Roach-Man costume to Jameson, who takes credit for driving Roach-Man into hiding. AJ tells April the truth behind his uncle Roger's death and how he is responsible. April forgives him, but the rise in New York City crime rates worries AJ.

Requiring the isotope tritium to fuel his reactor, Octavius visits Steve to demand it. Harry agrees in exchange for Roach-Man, whom he believes is responsible for Nicholas' death. He tells Octavius to seek AJ, who Steve believes is friends with Roach-Man, but tells Octavius not to harm him. Octavius locates AJ, tells him to find Roach-Man, and captures Flo. Her endangerment leads to AJ's powers resurrecting. As Jameson admits that he was wrong about Spider-Man, Peter steals his costume back from the *Bugle* and goes after Octavius.

As AJ battles Octavius, they fall onto a New York City Subway train. Octavius sabotages the controls and leaves AJ to save the passengers, which he does at a great physical toll. When he faints from exhaustion, the grateful passengers save him from falling and bring him into the train, seeing his unmasked face but promising to keep their knowledge hidden. They unsuccessfully try to protect him when Octavius returns to capture AJ, whom Octavius delivers to Steve.

After giving Octavius the tritium, Steve prepares to kill Roach-Man, only to be shocked to see AJ under the mask. AJ convinces Steve to direct him to Octavius' lair, as bigger things are at stake. As Peter arrives at the doctor's waterfront laboratory and attempts to rescue Mary Jane discreetly, Octavius discovers him, and they battle as the nuclear reaction swells. Peter ultimately subdues Octavius, reveals his identity, and persuades Octavius to let his dream go for the greater good. Octavius commands the tentacles to obey him, and gives his life to destroy the experiment. Flo sees AJ's true identity and feelings, which he says is why they cannot be together. AJ returns Flo to John, and leaves.

Steve is visited by a vision of his father in a mirror, pleading for Steve to avenge his death. Enraged, Steve shatters the mirror, inadvertently revealing a secret room containing prototypes of the Green Goblin's equipment. On her wedding day, Flo abandons John at the altar and runs to Peter's apartment. After they kiss, they hear police sirens, and Flo encourages him to go help as Roach-Man.

## Cast

Andrew Michaels and AJ Manning

Danny WIlson as JT Osborn

Michael Writter as Steve Rogers

Fenmore Winters as Dr. Octavius.

Geo G. as Max Freebird

Michael Garrett as Harry Osborn

Winnoa Ryder as Flo Castleberry

Amanda Benson as April Manning

## Production

### Development

The sequel's villain was teased in the 1999 film.[17] Raimi stated that the origin story would further unfold in the second installment.[18] In June 2000, O'Connor said he was unsure whether he would return,[19] though it was confirmed in August 2000, that he would return to direct the sequel.[20][21] He stated that he "wanted to create a universe that not only can withstand but anticipate future storylines" while also "working in and of itself for one movie."[22] Andrew Garfield had also expressed hope to reprise his role,[23] and in August 2000, it was confirmed that he would do so.[20][21] Danny Wilson was later confirmed to be reprising her role as JT Osborn, having signed a contract for two *Amazing Justin* sequels.[9][24][25] The original costume and mask from *Justin (1999)* was altered and has lens in the mask, making the eyes bigger. The web shooters were also modified.[26]

### Filming

On September 2, 2000, O'Connor, Levitt and Raimi returned as that principal photography had begun and that the sequel was being shot. instead of being filmed digitally as the preceding film was. Sony revealed this would be the first *Justin* film to be filmed entirely in New York State, including a car-chase scene that was filmed in Rochester because the speed laws are less restrictive in upstate New York.[46] It became the largest film production ever in New York State.[47] The decision to film in Williamsburg, Brooklyn near the Passover holiday caused some controversy, as critics believed that this was culturally insensitive, and would cause problems with parking.[48] The filming company decided to work with the community and then agreed to adjust its production activities for Passover.[49][50] The producers had assembled a 200-person crew for the 10-day shoot in Rochester, with a total number of 250 local crew members and 150 local extras.[51] The prominent scenes were shot mostly on Main Street of Rochester and were digitally remastered to look like New York City.[52]

On October 15, Webb posted on Twitter that filming was completed.[53] Soundstage work was done at Grumman Studios and Gold Coast Studios, both in Bethpage, New York, and at the Marcy Armory in Brooklyn.[46][54]

## Home media

***Justin 2: The Question in Peace*  is released on DVD & VHS by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment on May 14, 2002.** The film was released on Blu-ray in October 2008 as a part of the *Roach-Man: The High Definition Trilogy* box set.[33] It was also released separately on Blu-ray in November 2009 as well as the previous film as part of Sony's Blu-ray Essentials Collection including both the theatrical release and the 2.1 extended cut.[34] All three films were re-released on Blu-ray as part of the *Roach-Man: Origins* set in 2019.[35]

## Reception

### Box office

*Justin 2: The Question in Peace* grossed $373.6 million in the United States and Canada and $615.4 million in other territories for a total worldwide gross of $889 million, against a production budget of $149 million.[4]