Injustice | |
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Directed by | Matt Peters |
Written by | Ernie Altbacker |
Based on | |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Edited by | Criag Paulsen |
Music by | Robert J. Kral |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. Home Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 78 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Injustice is a 2021 American adult animated superhero film based on the prequel comic series of the 2013 NetherRealm Studios video game Injustice: Gods Among Us , and based on characters from DC Comics. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, it is the 46th installment in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line. The film is directed by Matt Peters from a story by Ernie Altbacker and stars Justin Hartley and Anson Mount as Superman and Batman, respectively. The film, set in a separate continuity from the main DC Universe, follows Superman’s descent into madness after being tricked by Joker into killing his pregnant wife Lois Lane and detonating a nuclear weapon that destroys Metropolis. As Superman transforms the Earth into a police state to enforce global peace, Batman forms an underground resistance to oppose Superman and his allies.
The film was announced in May 2021, with Altbacker writing the script. The film adapts elements from both the Injustice video game and its prequel comic book series (primarily the Year One arc), but tells an original narrative which diverges from the source materials.
On Earth-22 (or even Earth-49), Joker and Harley Quinn kill Jimmy Olsen, kidnap a recently pregnant Lois Lane and steal a nuclear weapon, which they connect to a heart rate monitor attached to Lois's heart. Upon hearing of Lois's capture, Batman calls the Justice League to find her. The Flash finds the Scarecrow dead in his lab and his supply of fear toxin missing, before being killed by a trap laid by Joker.
Lois's husband, a panicking Superman, eventually finds Joker and Harley hiding on a submarine but is attacked by Doomsday, whom he punches into space. As the other heroes arrive and apprehend the Joker and Harley, Batman realizes that they have mixed the fear toxin with Kryptonite and used it to make Superman hallucinate that he is fighting Doomsday; in reality, he has beaten Lois to death. When her heart stops, the bomb attached to her detonates, destroying Metropolis and killing 11 million people. A grief-stricken Superman then kills Joker in revenge.
While Green Arrow takes Harley to his hideout to protect her from Superman, the latter reveals his identity before the United Nations and announces his intentions to bring peace to Earth, by force if necessary. The Justice League is left divided over Superman's actions; some members, such as Wonder Woman, support his new methods, while others, like Batman, keep their no-killing vow. Other heroes, such as Aquaman, Shazam, and the other magic users, refuse to choose sides and leave the League. Hal Jordan also leaves, stating that he and his fellow Green Lanterns are being recalled to Oa.
Meanwhile, the United States government becomes concerned that Superman will interfere in their operations, and have Mirror Master kidnap Jonathan Kent as leverage against him. Superman begins to question his actions, but Wonder Woman reassures him that he is doing the right thing and offers to help him find Jonathan. Confronting Mirror Master, Wonder Woman learns Jonathan's whereabouts, allowing Superman to rescue him. Elsewhere, Batman confronts the President and warns him that Superman will kill him if he finds out that he ordered Jonathan's capture.
Later, Superman visits Batman in the Batcave to make peace, but they get into an argument over their ideological views and Batman refuses to join Superman. While trying to stop Superman from relocating Arkham Asylum inmates to a more secure facility, Batman and Nightwing are shocked to discover that Robin has joined Superman. Harley, who escaped Green Arrow's capture and decided to become a hero, releases the inmates, forcing Batman and Superman to temporarily put their differences aside to fight them. During the battle, Robin lashes out in anger and unintentionally kills Nightwing, leading to Batman disowning him. Nightwing then meets Rama Kushna in the afterlife, who transforms him into Deadwing.
Robin attempts to convince Superman to ally with Ra's al Ghul, who declines. Batman forms an underground resistance and plans to steal a red sun cannon from the Fortress of Solitude. During the break-in, Superman overpowers Captain Atom, Ra's kills the Atom and destroys the cannon, and one of Green Arrow's shots is casually deflected by Superman, accidentally killing Jonathan, whom Superman had been keeping safe at the Fortress, causing Superman to murder him in revenge. After Superman transforms the Earth into a police state using surveillance drones, Batman has Plastic Man break Mister Terrific out of prison and leaks video footage of Superman killing a group of partying teenagers inspired by Joker to ruin his public image, shocking Wonder Woman as a result.
In response, Superman allies with Ra's and dispatches Amazo to enforce global peace, but the android quickly turns violent in Smallville as Ra's had secretly programmed it to kill Superman. Amazo kills Hawkman and Cyborg, but Batman and his allies arrive and help Superman and Wonder Woman destroy the android. Meanwhile, Robin, having had a change of heart, duels and defeats Ra's with Deadwing's help, sparing Ra's life.
Despite their aid, Superman prepares to have the Insurgents arrested and incapacitates Wonder Woman after she turns on him, but is confronted by Superman from Earth-1, whom Mr. Terrific had summoned. Earth-22 Superman defeats his counterpart as the latter was holding back, but surrenders after being met with a Lois from Earth-9 who lost her Superman after becoming pregnant with his child. Earth-9 Lois reminds Earth-22 Superman that just like for Earth-9's, all life is sacred. Realizing how far he has fallen, a remorseful Superman willingly agrees to be imprisoned.
Although unsure of what will happen next, Batman makes preparations to rebuild the world and his life with Catwoman.
In June 2021, an animated film based on the 2013 video game Injustice: Gods Among Us was announced. [2] The voice cast for the film was announced the following month on July 21. [1]
Unlike the games, which are Rated T from the ESRB, [3] the film is Rated R for Bloody Violence. [4] The film was released on October 19, 2021 on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and in digital format. [5] [6] The DVD was exclusively released for Walmart stores. [7] On October 9, the entire film was leaked online, ten days before its planned release date. [8]
The Blu-ray includes the featurette titled Adventures in Storytelling: Injustice – Crisis and Conflict, where the filmmakers discuss the production and themes of the film, in addition to both parts of the Justice League series episode "Injustice for All". [9]
The film made its linear debut in the United States on Adult Swim's Toonami block on February 19, 2023. [10]
Injustice received mixed reviews. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 50% of 6 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.60/10. Criticism was leveled at the unceremonious character deaths, poor character development, unfaithfulness to the source material, and overstuffed plot. [11]
The film debuted at the third position on the "NPD Videoscan First Alert" weekly rankings for overall home media sales and Blu-ray sales in the United States. [7] According to The Numbers , it sold 43,317 Blu-ray units and 7,568 DVD units in its first week of release for a revenue of $1.16 million. [12] It also ranked fifth on both Google Play and Vudu's VOD charts. [13] In the United Kingdom, it debuted at the tenth rank on the Official Film Chart. [14]
In the second week of its release in the United States, Injustice fell to the fifth rank on the Blu-ray sales chart and eighth rank in overall disc sales. [15] At the end of October, it ranked tenth in overall disc sales during the month. [16] The film re-entered Google Play's top 10 films chart in its third week, ranking fifth, [17] falling to the tenth rank in the following week. [18]
The Joker is a supervillain who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. He was created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, and first appeared in the debut issue of the comic book Batman on April 25, 1940. Credit for the Joker's creation is disputed; Kane and Robinson claimed responsibility for his design while acknowledging Finger's writing contribution. Although the Joker was planned to be killed off during his initial appearance, he was spared by editorial intervention, allowing the character to endure as the archenemy of the superhero Batman.
Superman: The Animated Series is an American animated superhero television series based on the DC Comics character Superman. It was produced by Warner Bros. Television Animation and originally aired on Kids' WB from September 6, 1996, to February 12, 2000. It was the second series in the DC Animated Universe after Batman: The Animated Series, and like its predecessor, it has been acclaimed for its writing, voice acting, maturity, and modernization of the title character's comic-book mythos.
Harley Quinn is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series as a henchwoman for the Joker, and debuted in its 22nd episode, "Joker's Favor", on September 11, 1992. While intended to appear in one episode, Quinn became a recurring character within the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) as the Joker's sidekick and love interest, and was adapted into DC Comics' canon seven years later, beginning with the one-shot Batman: Harley Quinn #1. Quinn's origin story features her as a former psychologist at Gotham City's Arkham Asylum who was manipulated by and fell in love with the Joker, her patient, eventually becoming his accomplice and lover. The character's alias is a play on the stock character Harlequin from the 16th-century Italian theater commedia dell'arte.
"Batman: Hush" is an American comic book story arc published by DC Comics featuring the superhero Batman. It was published in monthly installments within the comic book series Batman, running from issue #608–619 in October 2002 until September 2003. The story arc was written by Jeph Loeb, penciled by Jim Lee, inked by Scott Williams, and colored by Alex Sinclair, under the editorship of Bob Schreck.
Superman & Batman: Generations is the umbrella title of three Elseworlds comic book limited series published by DC Comics in the United States, written and illustrated by John Byrne. A major concept of the series is the avoidance of so-called comic book time; it places Superman, Batman, and the other members of the DC Universe in a single timeline, showing the characters aging and being replaced by their progeny.
The Justice Lords are a fictional team of anti-heroes/anti-villains who first appeared in the two-part Justice League episode "A Better World", which was broadcast on November 1, 2003.
The DC Universe Animated Original Movies are a series of American direct-to-video superhero animated films based on DC Comics characters and stories. From 2007 to 2022, films were produced primarily by Warner Bros. Animation, but subsequently fell under DC Studios. Many films are usually stand-alone projects that are either adaptations of popular works or original stories. From 2013 to 2024, the DC Animated Movie Universe was a subset of this series. The first story arc featured several films that took place in a shared universe, influenced predominantly by "The New 52". Following the first arc's conclusion, the "Tomorrowverse" series was launched beginning with Superman: Man of Tomorrow.
The Joker, a supervillain in DC Comics and archenemy of the superhero Batman, has appeared in various media. WorldCat records over 250 productions featuring the Joker as a subject, including films, television series, books, and video games. Live-action films featuring the character are typically the most successful.
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies is a 2009 American animated superhero film based on the DC Comics story arc "Public Enemies" in the Superman/Batman comic book series, written by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness, which focused on Superman and Batman teaming up to prevent a meteorite from striking Earth, and taking down Lex Luthor, who has been elected President of the United States. Directed by Sam Liu and released by Warner Bros. Animation on September 29, 2009. It is the sixth film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The film received generally positive reviews upon release. Additionally, Tim Daly, Kevin Conroy, Clancy Brown, and CCH Pounder reprise their respective roles from the DC Animated Universe as Superman, Batman, Lex Luthor, and Amanda Waller.
Batman: Under the Red Hood is a 2010 American animated superhero direct-to-video film produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Animation, and released by Warner Home Video. Directed by Brandon Vietti and written by Judd Winick, it is the eighth film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The film, directly derived from the Batman storyline "Under the Hood", sees Batman as he confronts and searches for the identity of a vigilante called Red Hood. The voice cast includes Bruce Greenwood and Jensen Ackles as Batman and Red Hood, respectively, alongside John DiMaggio, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Isaacs, and Wade Williams.
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is a 2010 American animated superhero film based on the Superman/Batman comic book storyline "The Supergirl from Krypton" and is a standalone sequel to Superman/Batman: Public Enemies. The art style is partly based on that of Michael Turner, who penciled the Superman/Batman comic book arc. Directed by Lauren Montgomery and released on September 28, 2010, by Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Animation, it is the ninth film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The film stars Andre Braugher, Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly and Summer Glau. Despite the title, the film focuses primarily on Supergirl and Superman, with Batman playing a supporting role.
Injustice: Gods Among Us is a 2013 fighting video game. It is the first installment in the Injustice franchise based upon the fictional universe of DC Comics.
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox is a 2013 American animated superhero film directed by Jay Oliva and written by Jim Krieg. It is the adaptation of the 2011 comic book crossover "Flashpoint" by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert. The film stars Justin Chambers as Barry Allen / Flash, C. Thomas Howell as Eobard Thawne / Professor Zoom, Michael B. Jordan as Victor Stone / Cyborg, Kevin McKidd as Thomas Wayne / Batman and Cary Elwes as Orin / Arthur Curry / Aquaman. The film also sees actors reprising roles from other DC animated series, including Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne / Batman, Nathan Fillion as Hal Jordan / Green Lantern, Ron Perlman as Slade Wilson / Deathstroke, Dana Delany as Lois Lane, Vanessa Marshall as Princess Diana / Wonder Woman and Dee Bradley Baker as Etrigan.
Justice League: Gods and Monsters is a 2015 American animated superhero film and the 24th film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. It features an alternate universe version of the DC Comics superhero team the Justice League. It was released as a download on July 21, 2015, and released on DVD and Blu-ray on July 28.
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Gotham City Breakout is a 2016 American animated superhero comedy film based on the Lego and DC Comics brands, which was released on June 21, 2016 in Digital HD and on July 12, 2016 on Blu-ray and DVD. It is the sixth Lego DC Comics film following Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite, Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered, Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League, Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Attack of the Legion of Doom and Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Cosmic Clash. Some actors from various DC properties reprise their respective roles, including Nolan North as Superman, Grey DeLisle as Wonder Woman and Troy Baker as Batman. The film received positive reviews, with praise for the action, although the consumerism was criticized.
Injustice: Gods Among Us is an American comic book series that serves as the prequel to the fighting video game of the same name. The series takes place in an alternate reality, where Superman descends into villainy following his family's death at the Joker's hands. The Justice League is split by those who put their trust in Superman, establishing the totalitarian One Earth Regime, while Batman forms an insurgency out of the other half of the League to fight back against the Regime.
Lois Lane is a fictional character first appearing in DC Comics Action Comics #1, an intrepid reporter commonly portrayed as the romantic interest of the superhero Superman and his alter-ego Clark Kent. Since her debut in comic books, she has appeared in various media adaptations, including radio, animations, films, television and video games. Actresses who have portrayed Lois Lane include Noel Neill, Phyllis Coates, Margot Kidder, Teri Hatcher, Erica Durance, Kate Bosworth, Amy Adams, and Elizabeth Tulloch.
Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American animated superhero film directed by Jake Castorena and written by Marly Halpern-Graser. Based on the comic book miniseries Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by James Tynion IV and Freddie Williams II, the story focuses on Batman, Robin, and Batgirl teaming up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in order to save Gotham City from chaos at the hands of both Shredder and Ra's al Ghul. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation in association with DC Entertainment and Nickelodeon, the film features the voices of Troy Baker, Eric Bauza, Darren Criss, Kyle Mooney, and Baron Vaughn.
DCeased is a six-issue comic book miniseries published by DC Comics from May to October 2019. It was created by writer Tom Taylor and the artistic team including penciler Trevor Hairsine and inker Stefano Guadiano. The story takes place in an alternate Earth, where a corrupted version of the Anti-Life Equation has infected most of Earth's inhabitants with a zombie-like virus. Lois Lane acts as the series' narrator, detailing how the events took place over the course of a few weeks.
Injustice is a series of crossover superhero fighting video games developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, featuring characters from the DC Comics universe. The games were directed by Mortal Kombat creator and industry veteran Ed Boon, whose team had previously developed Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe for Midway Games, and written by Brian Chard, Dominic Cianciolo and John Vogel and Jon Greenberg. The series features the voice talents of Kevin Conroy, George Newbern, Susan Eisenberg, Phil LaMarr, Alan Tudyk, Grey Griffin, Fred Tatasciore, Tara Strong, Khary Payton and Richard Epcar, reprising their roles from various DC Comics media.