PREMISE
I'm going with a relatively simplified plot, assembled from bit of the various Legion continuities.
3007. The galaxy is controlled by the Orwellian rule of the
United Planets, who make their home-base in the seemingly utopian city of
New Metropolis (whose society resembles Fritz Lang's
Metropolis or maybe
Demolition Man, more than, say, the London of
V for Vendetta or
Children of Men).
Undermining this veneer of well-regulated social order is a bustling resistance movement known as the Legion, a ragtag network of young rebels opposed to the tyrannical control enforced by the
United Planets Inner Council.
The 'core group' of the Legion lives aboard a spaceship and have an inter-personal dynamic governed by their roles in the crew -- think
That 70s Show crossed with
Star Trek.
The movie itself revolves around what's described as a possible 'suicide mission' to rescue the young
Superman from the 21st century (the Legion's spiritiual model), and use him to lead a daring raid against the United Planets Inner Council, who have been brainwashing captured Legion members. However, things go astray when they inadvertantly abduct
Clark Kent, immediately prior to his decision to become a costumed superhero.
The first part of the movie -- 45 mins. or so -- deals with Clark's acclimatization to the 31st Century, and convinving the Legion of his worthiness as an ally. The last two-thirds cover the assault on the Inner Council.
The primary antagonists are the so-called
'Fatal Five', the corrupt leaders of the Inner Council's "secret police" -- a kind of Department of HomeWorld Security, if you please.
The movie ends,
Civil War-style, with the fragile truce between the Legion and the Inner Council, in the face of the revelation of a bigger threat: a
Sun-Eater. Can you say 'sequel'? I know you can...
MARKETING
The familiar Legion logo will be the main symbol of the movie. I envision the poster depicting the main cast flying through space in group formation, assisted by their 'flight rings', with the tagline:
This summer, let freedom ring.
CASTING
Clark Kent/Kal-El of Krypton, Superboy - This is the post-
Smallville, pre-
Lois & Clark version of Superboy. Not yet a dedicated costumed superhero, but already somewhat adept at using his powers, and well-versed about his purpose on Earth. For just the right balance of innocence and experience, I pick the under-rated
Kieran Culkin (
Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys,
Igby Goes Down), in a possible star-making performance.
Garth Ranzz of Winath, Lightning Lad - I see him as a capable -- if somewhat cocky -- field leader. He's the Reggie Mantle to Superboy's Archie Andrews. This seems like an ideal breakthrough role for
Vernonica Mars'
Jason Dohring, whose character Logan is just as a$sholic, but not without the kind of resourcefulness and foresight that would make him a competent field leader, under radically different circumstances.
Imra Ardeen of Titan, Saturn Girl - I'm sticking with the cold, introspective -- almost brooding -- version from the Waid/Kitson run. I'd prefer to see her in a more hands-off, non-combatative role. She's the one handling communications and logistical stuff; the one doing the coordination. Honestly, this doesn't seem like a terribly complex or difficult role, so i'm giving it to someboy who happens to be a recent fave:
Jordan Hinson, who plays Zoe Carter -- thrill-seeking teen caught in a situation more un-normal than she could ever hope for -- on cult TV hit
Eureka.
Querl Dox of Celu, Braniac 5 - I think his brand of arrogance is different from Lightning Lad. Whereas LL is a show-boating glory-hound, Braniac 5 is more of a cerebral intellectual snob; likely to see himself as superior to his team-mates, even if he secretly envies their humanity. This seems like a good chance for
Cameron Bright (
Ultraviolet,
X-Men 3). As the kid of a tobacco industry lobbyist in
Thank You For Smoking, he displayed a talent for behave in ways that are shockingly wise for somebody his age. Brainiac 5 seems like a role that would let this aspect of his ability shine.
Luornu Durgo of Cargg, Triplicate Girl - I'd want to just forgo the whole 'troubled schizo' angle altogether. I want her to embrace her multiplicity -- not view it as a problem. She just has fun with it, and uses it to work through any conflicted feelings she might have. I will aggresively continue to push for greater celebrity for the adorable Nora Zehetner (
50 Pills,
Brick, Eden from
Heroes), and my interpretation of Triplicate Girl seems like an ideal way for her to show off her manic range.
Reep Daggle of Durla, Chameleon - I'd make him a free agent; a bounty hunter or mercenary type with a street-level attitude. He's tasked to locate the Legion by
R.J. Brande -- a rich ally of the UP Inner Council, who is secretly working to bring them down from inside. He wants to bankroll the Legion's operations, as a coordinated opposition group. His loyalties are as questionable as his sexuality, incorporating the ambiguous gender aspect of
Element Lad's character. I would make him slightly older than most of the Legion characters -- just the right age to be portrayed by
Paul Bettany (the albino henchman from
The DaVinci Code).
Chuck Taine of Earth, Bouncing Boy - He's meant to be the likeable every-man, and occasional comic relief. I choose
Michael Cassidy, who had a recurring part as affable comic geek Zach Stevens on Season 2 of
The O.C., and is now starring in also-ran teen drama
Hidden Palms. (No stranger to big-screen superheroics, Cassidy also starred in forgettable Tim Allen vehicle,
Zoom -- but let's just forget about that, shall we?)
Tinya Wazzo of Bgztl, Phantom Girl - I like the way she's characterized in the animate universe, better than the more distant Waid/Kitson version. Phantom Girl is the one with something to prove; a go-getter and brown-noser who is all too eager to get out of the shadow of her influential family. Her membership in the Legion is suspect, to begin with, given her lineage. She uses irony and quick come-backs to deal with her insecurity about her status. She's a little bit Summer (
The O.C.) and a little bit Jackie (from
That 70s Show), so I decided to cast somebody who reminds me of both Rachel Bilson and Mila Kunis:
Alexis Dziena (the sherrif's daughter from the short-lived
Invasion, as well as the daughter of Sharon Stone's character in the under-rated
Broken Flowers)
I deliberately chose to leave out
Jan Arrah of Trom, Element Lad, because I couldn't figure out a reasonable way to shoehorn him into my storyline.