WonderCon 2021: Justice Society: World War II Panel Recap

 

 

Justice Society: World War II is the latest DC animated feature to be added to an ever-growing list of superhero movies. Unlike many of the recent DCAU films, this one will stand on its own and deliver a story outside of the larger ongoing plots but still within the same world.

To get fans prepared for this unique period piece involving superheroes, Anaheim’s WonderCon 2021 has prepared a special panel with many of the filmmakers and cast members. Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, the events were cancelled due to Covid-19. Thankfully, for everyone outside of California, that means we can join in on the fun for a completely digital nerd celebration.

Excitingly, the panel for Justice Society: World War II was so jam-packed with cast and crew that it had to be divided into two parts. The hour-long discussion split time between the filmmakers and the cast with Gary Miereanu of WB Home Entertainment moderating both sections.

In attendance for the filmmaker’s panel were writers Jeremy Adams and Meghan Fitzmartin, director Jeff Wamester, and long-time DC Animated producer Butch Lukic.

This newest feature film rewinds the clocks to the 1940s when the world was in the midst of a second world war. For the DC Universe, this means that many of your favourite heroes were not even a glimpse in their creator’s minds yet. Thankfully, that leaves room for many of the superheroes that time has forgotten.  

This Justice Society line-up may look a little different from what has been portrayed in the comic books. The panellists justify cutting out some of the key players such as the original Green Lantern and Wildcat, as there was not enough room to deliver a proper character arch for everyone. Although there are a couple of surprise additions including Steve Trevor and the more current Flash, Barry Allen.

Leading the team is Wonder Woman, who inspired the entire film being developed. Butch Lukic reveals that Justice Society is the aftermath of what was intended to be a Wonder Woman animated series. However, with that show intended for the now-defunct DC Access, much of the story was adapted for this full-length feature. Thankfully, the behind-the-scenes crew promises a badass unleashed version of the character.

The second half of this panel introduces just a part of the large cast ensemble. Even with that, there are plenty of stars on the list. 

Included were Geoff Arend (Charles Halstead), Liam McIntyre (Aquaman), Chris Diamantopoulos (Steve Trevor), Omid Abtahi (Hawkman), Elysia Rotaru (Black Canary), Armen Taylor (Jay Garrick Flash), Matt Bomer (Barry Allen Flash), and Stana Katic (Wonder Woman).

Each of these cast members who bring a long list of credits as individuals are excited to share how this project has turned out. Recording their parts over 17 months ago, they all seem astonished by how the film has come together. Much of this panel involved the members boasting and bum-licking each others’ performances. And honestly, it is effective at getting us excited for the upcoming film.

Justice Society: World War II will be available for digital purchase on 27 April 2021. You can watch the complete WonderCon@Home panel on YouTube or the official Comic-Con website.