Justice League Remake or Retool JL. How would you do it? [SPOILERS]

[Vaibow]

I think retooling JL is an easier question to answer - let's say for instance, we were tasked with the job JW's was given and reshoots or chance to tweak.

What i would have done, in the opening credits, added to the montage of a scene - have STAR LABS scientists look over the body of Doomsday, it's body monitored, there is an easter egg of a pulse on a monitor in the background as a scientist draws blood for tests.
I would have a tv playing a news article on crime rates, as it zooms out, you see Joker and Harley looking around an abandoned warehouse as a possible new 'home' lair with goons hanging about etc.
The rooftop scene with Batman was great, i would have added more back story to the parademon though - i would have cut to the where the parademon was, how it was being harboured, who it was with and then it senses fear. I forget now, but how did Bruce know so much about them, just lex's notes?
I would cut the whole pet cemetery sequence - no frankenstein style rebirth, when cyborg and flash at the grave, cyborg scans it and there is nothing down there. A week passes, Bruce is at a function - Alfred cuts him short, lois is on the line, she needs his help -Cut to 12 hours earlier - a science lab - Gen Swanick is over seeing the incarcerated body of Doomsday, he then walks into another room, a bright light bursts from the door frame - artificial light is shone on clarks body, it's almost blinding he looks angelic - clarks body is laying there, in black. Lois is waiting to come in, as she walks in, she realizes what they have, mixed emotions, pissed off, sad, upset, distraught, she hugs clarks lifeless body and wants to know answers, she beats on Swanicks chest, sobbing - how dare they disturb him - Swanick thanks her for coming and explains Clark, his alien DNA, it's not like humans, he still has a pulse, there is still brain activity - they only found this out due to the work on doomsday - when natural light hit his body, his brain waves were triggered. Clark had been there for 3 week and swanick has shown her the reports, activity is being recovered - Lois asks to take him home, they refuse - government property now, Swanick is almost embarrassed to say so.
Cut to the team on the roof top, looking down - they have the plans in hologram form on cyborg - they plan to go in, rescue clark. Epic heist scene occurs - but the mother box secretly used to help regenerate Clark sets off a signal and steppenwolf appears - the JL barely escape alive, clark over the shoulder of AM (he was easier to recruit when he knew clark was alive).
Back at Wayne Manor, an almost alter like scene set up - mirrors all aimed at clark, natural light bursting through. Lois waiting, patiently.
Meanwhile the team track down SW to russia and they head there, starting the onslaught. It's not red, there are no weird flowers or veins, it's just grey, abandoned and SW is under the tower, brooding. He has 3 mother boxes and he is talking to DS via a portal - his work is done - not to terraform, but just find the boxes and return them.
Clark wakes up - confused, lois is there and comforts him - he remembers - he asks about doomsday, the others, lois explains it all, he states he must help the others, has a decent line saying he loves her and will come back.
Back at the tower, there is a fight, similar to what we saw, when superman shows up, pretty similar, but in black and bearded - only humour i would add is barry allen, looks at him and says, like in a shocked way 'jesus' as it's an impressive scene but also very, god like.
Superman does what superman does and the team win.
End montage, similar but i would also add news teams and reports of the jl and superman back.

 

[DerekLake]

It is hard to reimagine Justice League completely without also changing BvS. My ultimate preference would be a very different BvS that introduces Wonder Woman; WW, Flash and Cyborg films that set up those characters, and a JL Throne of Atlantis story that introduces Aquaman. But given BvS, I think JL does a pretty good job. However, I think the following changes would have made it much, much better:

Act 1:

Spoiler

The film begins with another Knightmare scene, but with Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg, and an unidentified military force all assisting Batman in fighting off innumerable parademons and black-clad Superman “stormtroopers” on the barren earth (with the Omega symbol) seen in Bruce’s original Knightmare. Superman is dead, and Batman’s allies are losing this fight. As the other heroes fall one by one, Batman turns to see a horned figure with red eyes hovering over him. The figure raises his fiery axe and strikes. Bruce awakes startled. This is where we get Snyder's opening montage.

In Gotham, Batman assaults a hideout of terrorists with the same experimental weapons used by KGBeast and his mercenaries. However, these terrorists are dressed in black and adorned with patches bearing Superman’s symbol; they are the same men glimpsed in Bruce’s first Knightmare. Alfred notes over the comms that this Superman cult has been seen all over the world, and believes that Superman will rise again as the herald of the Apocalypse. Batman says he does not care what they believe, only that they are about to sacrifice a girl to the Apocalypse. After rescuing the girl, Batman checks the subdued terrorists, and finds the Omega symbol tattooed on their necks. Bruce is startled, and is suddenly attacked by a parademon. His fight goes much as it does in the film, but at the end, the parademon explodes to reveal the Omega symbol. Bruce goes to question the terrorists, but finds they have all committed suicide via cyanide capsules. Bruce tells Alfred to ready the jet.

On his private jet, Bruce watches a news broadcast airing the Superman clip we see at the beginning, and talks about the world remaining in mourning after Superman's death. Alfred briefs Bruce on his difficulties in tracking Victor Stone, who is presumed dead, and Arthur Curry, who, according to Amanda Waller’s files, only seems to be strong, able to breathe underwater and talk to fish. Bruce asks about the Enchantress, but Alfred tells him she seems to be out of play. Bruce then asks about Barry, and Alfred explains his tragic past. Bruce notes that Barry is essentially an orphan.

Barry visits his father in prison, and then immediately returns to his hideout. Bruce attempts to recruit Barry, but the latter is reluctant to leave his father, despite wanting to work with the Batman. Later that night, however, Barry encounters the Superman cult as well as a parademon. Batman assists Barry, and convinces him to come with him.

Back in Metropolis and Gotham, Victor’s intro scenes play out as in the movie, with Victor telling Silas that he’s having visions of winged alien creatures and a hellish landscape marked with the Omega symbol. The Star Labs janitor is kidnapped by the parademon afterward.

In London, Diana takes out the terrorists (who belong to the Superman cult). Their leader tells Diana that she is too late, and that Themyscira will be the first to fall. In Themyscira, Steppenwolf steals the Mother Box (which the Amazonians call Pandora’s Box) as in the film, and Diana is notified via the fire at the Shrine. She immediately heads for Gotham.

Act 2:

Spoiler

Back at the Batcave, Barry sits in awe of the Batcave as he and Bruce bond over the loss of their parents and forensic science. Barry asks about everything in the Batcave, including the Robin suit, which gives Bruce pause. Diana shows up, and tells Bruce and Barry Steppenwolf’s history:

Steppenwolf first attacked over 5,000 years prior, during the Age of the Old Gods. The Gods of Olympus, the Titans, and other mythological beings from Greece; Teth Adam, the Wizard Nabu, Prince Khufu and Princess Chiera from Egypt; the Enchantress, Incubus and their race; and their various human armies joined together to repel the invasion by Steppenwolf and other Apokoliptans. The combined alliance could only barely repel them, but the last-minute arrival of the Green Lantern Corps turned the tide of the battle, and Steppenwolf retreated with significant injuries. The Mother Box split into three, and was given to the Olympians, the last of the Old Gods, for safe-keeping. Prometheus stole one to give to humans, and the other two eventually passed into the hands of the Amazonians and the Atlanteans.

Bruce surmises that the Amazonian Mother Box has been stolen in an attack, and Diana hopes the Atlantean Mother Box is still safe. Bruce then deduces, and Diana confirms, that Arthur Curry is an Atlantean. Bruce asks Diana if the Amazonians will aid in the coming fight, but Diana says that the Amazonians must remain on the island to safeguard other secrets of the gods from men, and she suggests that the Atlanteans might be willing to help. Bruce agrees to take Barry to track down Arthur, while Diana agrees to track down Victor Stone.

In the North, Bruce recruits Arthur as in the movie, but he asks Arthur to bring with him the Atlantean army. Arthur notes that he is outcast from Atlantis, and shrugs off helping Bruce. As he leaves, Bruce warns Arthur that Steppenwolf already attacked Themyscira, and will come for Atlantis next. Arthur heads directly for Atlantis, where Steppenwolf attacks and steals the Mother Box. Arthur’s conversation with Mera plays out, and Arthur asks Mera if his half-brother will help. Mera tells Arthur that he will not.

Back in Gotham, Diana tries in vain to recruit Victor, but Silas is taken while he’s away. Gordon receives the information about the kidnappings and turns on the Bat signal. Bruce and Barry meet up with Diana on the tarmac, where they both share the bad news. The rooftop scene and the tunnel fight follow the film, but Diana repels Steppenwolf and forces him to retreat by using her lightning abilities. Arthur shows up as in the end to save the team from drowning.

Back at the Batcave, the assembled team discusses the recovered Mother Box. Bruce notes that without the Atlanteans or the Amazonians, the team will need Superman. Diana objects, believing the Mother Boxes to contain evil, but Bruce claims that they need to resurrect Superman before Steppenwolf does. Victor concurs with Bruce, and reveals that he has also had nightmares about the future. Diana warns that bringing Superman back may cause the very thing they want to avoid, but Bruce assures her that he has a contingency plan.

Flash and Cyborg retrieve Superman’s body and place it in his suit. The team infiltrates the scout ship, which is soon attacked by the Superman cult and parademons. As Batman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman hold off the attackers, Cyborg and Flash revive Superman, who bursts from the ship and hovers as in the film. The Superman cultists outside the ship bow before him and the parademons swarm around him before he lands. Superman examines the rubble and scans the team as in the film, hearing voices in his head. Both Aquaman and Cyborg fight Superman initially, with Cyborg briefly stunning him and Aquaman stabbing him. Superman recovers quickly from both, however, and throws them aside. Flash attempts to flank him as in the film, but Superman’s fight with Flash is seen both in slow motion and normal pace (as in MOS). Wonder Woman fights the longest with Superman, but he eventually overpowers her with his speed and strength. When Superman notices and grabs Batman, he tells Bruce, “She was my world, and you took her from me” before asking if he bleeds. Lois arrives as in the film, bringing Clark to his senses. Steppenwolf arrives to take the Mother Box, and leaves with the parademons. Realizing what he has done, Clark takes Lois and returns to the Kent Farm.

Act 3:

Spoiler

In a Russian nuclear plant, Steppenwolf unites the Mother Boxes into one Mother Box and begins the terraforming process. Instead of alien tendrils, the Mother Box cracks the Earth’s crust, transforming the land around the plant back into its primordial, volcanic state.

At the Batcave, the team regroups as in the film, but when Cyborg “goes under” to find the Mother Boxes, he sees glimpses of the Source Wall, Oa, New Genesis and Apokolips, Olympus and eventually, Russia. The team prepares to leave, but Barry asks if they should wait for Superman. Bruce tells them that Superman will come.

At the Kent farm, Lois asks Clark how he feels, and explains what has happened since his death. As Clark slowly remembers, Lois tells him that the world desperately needs him, but Clark still thinks the world would be better off without him. Lois tells Clark to worry about that later, and tells Superman about Steppenwolf. Clark reunites with Martha before flying off.

In Russia, the team fight their way to the nuclear plant, which has been converted into an industrial-looking Apokoliptan structure. Inside, they find the Mother Box hovering over a platform above a fire pit, and Cyborg goes to interface with it. Cyborg tells the team he thinks he can separate them, but he will need time to interface with it. Steppenwolf emerges from the fire pit and, empowered, attacks the team. Wonder Woman and Aquaman barely hold back Steppenwolf while Batman and Flash fight off parademons. As Cyborg interfaces with the Box, it tries to dissuade him, taking the appearance of his deceased mother. Steppenwolf eventually overpowers both Wonder Woman and Aquaman, dispatches Flash and Batman, and rips Cyborg away from the Mother Box. Touching it, Steppenwolf adds more power to the Box, intensifying and speeding up the process. Outside, the skies turn blood red as fire pits erupt from the ground. The Russian military arrives, but is quickly cut down by swarming parademons.

As Steppenwolf turns to finish off the team, Superman arrives like thunder and punches Steppenwolf outside of the plant. As the two battle outside, the rest of the team pick themselves back up to resume their plan. Cyborg rushes back to the Mother Box to try to separate it, but is unable to do so. The Box again tries to dissuade him, telling him that it will make him whole. Steppenwolf eventually knocks Superman back inside the plant, and gains the upper hand, but Wonder Woman and Aquaman join in to help him hold back Steppenwolf. Cyborg tells the team to get clear, as he’s going to try to destroy the boxes instead. Calling Flash over, Cyborg says he’s going to direct the Mother Box’s energies to himself, and needs Flash to use his lightning to overload the loop. Since he’s got the same energy inside him, it should create a feedback loop that destroys them. Flash points out that it would also kill Cyborg, but the latter says it’s a necessary sacrifice. The terraforming process stops as Cyborg absorbs the Mother Box’s energy, causing his metallic body to take on a more human shape. Flash overloads the loop and gets clear as the Mother Box explodes. Cyborg collapses to the ground.

Enraged, Steppenwolf lashes out, but the rest of the team works together to beat Steppenwolf. Beaten, the parademons gather Steppenwolf and retreat through a boomtube. With the fight won, the team huddles around Victor’s lifeless body and begin to mourn. However, the armor suddenly reawakens, and Victor returns to life; rather than being destroyed, the Mother Box has merged with him. Victor uses the Box’s power to return the area to its original state, before the nuclear meltdown 20 years prior.

News reports make note of Superman’s return and the events in Russia as the team parts ways. Outside Wayne Manor, Clark thanks Bruce for reviving him and apologizes to Diana for the headbutt. The three then discuss the future of the team and the role it could play in the world as a beacon of hope and a league of justice. Clark tells them that his father envisioned a future where others would join him in making a better world. As the three walk inside, Bruce remarks that he envisions a table with six seats, and Diana adds, with room for more. Then, Lois types out her article, and the closing montage plays out as it does in the film.

 

[idiot09]

It is hard to reimagine Justice League completely without also changing BvS. My ultimate preference would be a very different BvS that introduces Wonder Woman; WW, Flash and Cyborg films that set up those characters, and a JL Throne of Atlantis story that introduces Aquaman. But given BvS, I think JL does a pretty good job. However, I think the following changes would have made it much, much better:

Act 1:

Spoiler

The film begins with another Knightmare scene, but with Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg, and an unidentified military force all assisting Batman in fighting off innumerable parademons and black-clad Superman “stormtroopers” on the barren earth (with the Omega symbol) seen in Bruce’s original Knightmare. Superman is dead, and Batman’s allies are losing this fight. As the other heroes fall one by one, Batman turns to see a horned figure with red eyes hovering over him. The figure raises his fiery axe and strikes. Bruce awakes startled. This is where we get Snyder's opening montage.

In Gotham, Batman assaults a hideout of terrorists with the same experimental weapons used by KGBeast and his mercenaries. However, these terrorists are dressed in black and adorned with patches bearing Superman’s symbol; they are the same men glimpsed in Bruce’s first Knightmare. Alfred notes over the comms that this Superman cult has been seen all over the world, and believes that Superman will rise again as the herald of the Apocalypse. Batman says he does not care what they believe, only that they are about to sacrifice a girl to the Apocalypse. After rescuing the girl, Batman checks the subdued terrorists, and finds the Omega symbol tattooed on their necks. Bruce is startled, and is suddenly attacked by a parademon. His fight goes much as it does in the film, but at the end, the parademon explodes to reveal the Omega symbol. Bruce goes to question the terrorists, but finds they have all committed suicide via cyanide capsules. Bruce tells Alfred to ready the jet.

On his private jet, Bruce watches a news broadcast airing the Superman clip we see at the beginning, and talks about the world remaining in mourning after Superman's death. Alfred briefs Bruce on his difficulties in tracking Victor Stone, who is presumed dead, and Arthur Curry, who, according to Amanda Waller’s files, only seems to be strong, able to breathe underwater and talk to fish. Bruce asks about the Enchantress, but Alfred tells him she seems to be out of play. Bruce then asks about Barry, and Alfred explains his tragic past. Bruce notes that Barry is essentially an orphan.

Barry visits his father in prison, and then immediately returns to his hideout. Bruce attempts to recruit Barry, but the latter is reluctant to leave his father, despite wanting to work with the Batman. Later that night, however, Barry encounters the Superman cult as well as a parademon. Batman assists Barry, and convinces him to come with him.

Back in Metropolis and Gotham, Victor’s intro scenes play out as in the movie, with Victor telling Silas that he’s having visions of winged alien creatures and a hellish landscape marked with the Omega symbol. The Star Labs janitor is kidnapped by the parademon afterward.

In London, Diana takes out the terrorists (who belong to the Superman cult). Their leader tells Diana that she is too late, and that Themyscira will be the first to fall. In Themyscira, Steppenwolf steals the Mother Box (which the Amazonians call Pandora’s Box) as in the film, and Diana is notified via the fire at the Shrine. She immediately heads for Gotham.

Act 2:

Spoiler

Back at the Batcave, Barry sits in awe of the Batcave as he and Bruce bond over the loss of their parents and forensic science. Barry asks about everything in the Batcave, including the Robin suit, which gives Bruce pause. Diana shows up, and tells Bruce and Barry Steppenwolf’s history:

Steppenwolf first attacked over 5,000 years prior, during the Age of the Old Gods. The Gods of Olympus, the Titans, and other mythological beings from Greece; Teth Adam, the Wizard Nabu, Prince Khufu and Princess Chiera from Egypt; the Enchantress, Incubus and their race; and their various human armies joined together to repel the invasion by Steppenwolf and other Apokoliptans. The combined alliance could only barely repel them, but the last-minute arrival of the Green Lantern Corps turned the tide of the battle, and Steppenwolf retreated with significant injuries. The Mother Box split into three, and was given to the Olympians, the last of the Old Gods, for safe-keeping. Prometheus stole one to give to humans, and the other two eventually passed into the hands of the Amazonians and the Atlanteans.

Bruce surmises that the Amazonian Mother Box has been stolen in an attack, and Diana hopes the Atlantean Mother Box is still safe. Bruce then deduces, and Diana confirms, that Arthur Curry is an Atlantean. Bruce asks Diana if the Amazonians will aid in the coming fight, but Diana says that the Amazonians must remain on the island to safeguard other secrets of the gods from men, and she suggests that the Atlanteans might be willing to help. Bruce agrees to take Barry to track down Arthur, while Diana agrees to track down Victor Stone.

In the North, Bruce recruits Arthur as in the movie, but he asks Arthur to bring with him the Atlantean army. Arthur notes that he is outcast from Atlantis, and shrugs off helping Bruce. As he leaves, Bruce warns Arthur that Steppenwolf already attacked Themyscira, and will come for Atlantis next. Arthur heads directly for Atlantis, where Steppenwolf attacks and steals the Mother Box. Arthur’s conversation with Mera plays out, and Arthur asks Mera if his half-brother will help. Mera tells Arthur that he will not.

Back in Gotham, Diana tries in vain to recruit Victor, but Silas is taken while he’s away. Gordon receives the information about the kidnappings and turns on the Bat signal. Bruce and Barry meet up with Diana on the tarmac, where they both share the bad news. The rooftop scene and the tunnel fight follow the film, but Diana repels Steppenwolf and forces him to retreat by using her lightning abilities. Arthur shows up as in the end to save the team from drowning.

Back at the Batcave, the assembled team discusses the recovered Mother Box. Bruce notes that without the Atlanteans or the Amazonians, the team will need Superman. Diana objects, believing the Mother Boxes to contain evil, but Bruce claims that they need to resurrect Superman before Steppenwolf does. Victor concurs with Bruce, and reveals that he has also had nightmares about the future. Diana warns that bringing Superman back may cause the very thing they want to avoid, but Bruce assures her that he has a contingency plan.

Flash and Cyborg retrieve Superman’s body and place it in his suit. The team infiltrates the scout ship, which is soon attacked by the Superman cult and parademons. As Batman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman hold off the attackers, Cyborg and Flash revive Superman, who bursts from the ship and hovers as in the film. The Superman cultists outside the ship bow before him and the parademons swarm around him before he lands. Superman examines the rubble and scans the team as in the film, hearing voices in his head. Both Aquaman and Cyborg fight Superman initially, with Cyborg briefly stunning him and Aquaman stabbing him. Superman recovers quickly from both, however, and throws them aside. Flash attempts to flank him as in the film, but Superman’s fight with Flash is seen both in slow motion and normal pace (as in MOS). Wonder Woman fights the longest with Superman, but he eventually overpowers her with his speed and strength. When Superman notices and grabs Batman, he tells Bruce, “She was my world, and you took her from me” before asking if he bleeds. Lois arrives as in the film, bringing Clark to his senses. Steppenwolf arrives to take the Mother Box, and leaves with the parademons. Realizing what he has done, Clark takes Lois and returns to the Kent Farm.

Act 3:

Spoiler

In a Russian nuclear plant, Steppenwolf unites the Mother Boxes into one Mother Box and begins the terraforming process. Instead of alien tendrils, the Mother Box cracks the Earth’s crust, transforming the land around the plant back into its primordial, volcanic state.

At the Batcave, the team regroups as in the film, but when Cyborg “goes under” to find the Mother Boxes, he sees glimpses of the Source Wall, Oa, New Genesis and Apokolips, Olympus and eventually, Russia. The team prepares to leave, but Barry asks if they should wait for Superman. Bruce tells them that Superman will come.

At the Kent farm, Lois asks Clark how he feels, and explains what has happened since his death. As Clark slowly remembers, Lois tells him that the world desperately needs him, but Clark still thinks the world would be better off without him. Lois tells Clark to worry about that later, and tells Superman about Steppenwolf. Clark reunites with Martha before flying off.

In Russia, the team fight their way to the nuclear plant, which has been converted into an industrial-looking Apokoliptan structure. Inside, they find the Mother Box hovering over a platform above a fire pit, and Cyborg goes to interface with it. Cyborg tells the team he thinks he can separate them, but he will need time to interface with it. Steppenwolf emerges from the fire pit and, empowered, attacks the team. Wonder Woman and Aquaman barely hold back Steppenwolf while Batman and Flash fight off parademons. As Cyborg interfaces with the Box, it tries to dissuade him, taking the appearance of his deceased mother. Steppenwolf eventually overpowers both Wonder Woman and Aquaman, dispatches Flash and Batman, and rips Cyborg away from the Mother Box. Touching it, Steppenwolf adds more power to the Box, intensifying and speeding up the process. Outside, the skies turn blood red as fire pits erupt from the ground. The Russian military arrives, but is quickly cut down by swarming parademons.

As Steppenwolf turns to finish off the team, Superman arrives like thunder and punches Steppenwolf outside of the plant. As the two battle outside, the rest of the team pick themselves back up to resume their plan. Cyborg rushes back to the Mother Box to try to separate it, but is unable to do so. The Box again tries to dissuade him, telling him that it will make him whole. Steppenwolf eventually knocks Superman back inside the plant, and gains the upper hand, but Wonder Woman and Aquaman join in to help him hold back Steppenwolf. Cyborg tells the team to get clear, as he’s going to try to destroy the boxes instead. Calling Flash over, Cyborg says he’s going to direct the Mother Box’s energies to himself, and needs Flash to use his lightning to overload the loop. Since he’s got the same energy inside him, it should create a feedback loop that destroys them. Flash points out that it would also kill Cyborg, but the latter says it’s a necessary sacrifice. The terraforming process stops as Cyborg absorbs the Mother Box’s energy, causing his metallic body to take on a more human shape. Flash overloads the loop and gets clear as the Mother Box explodes. Cyborg collapses to the ground.

Enraged, Steppenwolf lashes out, but the rest of the team works together to beat Steppenwolf. Beaten, the parademons gather Steppenwolf and retreat through a boomtube. With the fight won, the team huddles around Victor’s lifeless body and begin to mourn. However, the armor suddenly reawakens, and Victor returns to life; rather than being destroyed, the Mother Box has merged with him. Victor uses the Box’s power to return the area to its original state, before the nuclear meltdown 20 years prior.

News reports make note of Superman’s return and the events in Russia as the team parts ways. Outside Wayne Manor, Clark thanks Bruce for reviving him and apologizes to Diana for the headbutt. The three then discuss the future of the team and the role it could play in the world as a beacon of hope and a league of justice. Clark tells them that his father envisioned a future where others would join him in making a better world. As the three walk inside, Bruce remarks that he envisions a table with six seats, and Diana adds, with room for more. Then, Lois types out her article, and the closing montage plays out as it does in the film.

I really enjoyed reading that. Thank you.

Loved this part because I wanted to see this as well.

Spoiler

Back at the Batcave, Barry sits in awe of the Batcave as he and Bruce bond over the loss of their parents and forensic science. Barry asks about everything in the Batcave, including the Robin suit, which gives Bruce pause.

 

[markjoedelonge]

It is hard to reimagine Justice League completely without also changing BvS. My ultimate preference would be a very different BvS that introduces Wonder Woman; WW, Flash and Cyborg films that set up those characters, and a JL Throne of Atlantis story that introduces Aquaman. But given BvS, I think JL does a pretty good job. However, I think the following changes would have made it much, much better:

Act 1:

Spoiler

The film begins with another Knightmare scene, but with Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg, and an unidentified military force all assisting Batman in fighting off innumerable parademons and black-clad Superman “stormtroopers” on the barren earth (with the Omega symbol) seen in Bruce’s original Knightmare. Superman is dead, and Batman’s allies are losing this fight. As the other heroes fall one by one, Batman turns to see a horned figure with red eyes hovering over him. The figure raises his fiery axe and strikes. Bruce awakes startled. This is where we get Snyder's opening montage.

In Gotham, Batman assaults a hideout of terrorists with the same experimental weapons used by KGBeast and his mercenaries. However, these terrorists are dressed in black and adorned with patches bearing Superman’s symbol; they are the same men glimpsed in Bruce’s first Knightmare. Alfred notes over the comms that this Superman cult has been seen all over the world, and believes that Superman will rise again as the herald of the Apocalypse. Batman says he does not care what they believe, only that they are about to sacrifice a girl to the Apocalypse. After rescuing the girl, Batman checks the subdued terrorists, and finds the Omega symbol tattooed on their necks. Bruce is startled, and is suddenly attacked by a parademon. His fight goes much as it does in the film, but at the end, the parademon explodes to reveal the Omega symbol. Bruce goes to question the terrorists, but finds they have all committed suicide via cyanide capsules. Bruce tells Alfred to ready the jet.

On his private jet, Bruce watches a news broadcast airing the Superman clip we see at the beginning, and talks about the world remaining in mourning after Superman's death. Alfred briefs Bruce on his difficulties in tracking Victor Stone, who is presumed dead, and Arthur Curry, who, according to Amanda Waller’s files, only seems to be strong, able to breathe underwater and talk to fish. Bruce asks about the Enchantress, but Alfred tells him she seems to be out of play. Bruce then asks about Barry, and Alfred explains his tragic past. Bruce notes that Barry is essentially an orphan.

Barry visits his father in prison, and then immediately returns to his hideout. Bruce attempts to recruit Barry, but the latter is reluctant to leave his father, despite wanting to work with the Batman. Later that night, however, Barry encounters the Superman cult as well as a parademon. Batman assists Barry, and convinces him to come with him.

Back in Metropolis and Gotham, Victor’s intro scenes play out as in the movie, with Victor telling Silas that he’s having visions of winged alien creatures and a hellish landscape marked with the Omega symbol. The Star Labs janitor is kidnapped by the parademon afterward.

In London, Diana takes out the terrorists (who belong to the Superman cult). Their leader tells Diana that she is too late, and that Themyscira will be the first to fall. In Themyscira, Steppenwolf steals the Mother Box (which the Amazonians call Pandora’s Box) as in the film, and Diana is notified via the fire at the Shrine. She immediately heads for Gotham.

Act 2:

Spoiler

Back at the Batcave, Barry sits in awe of the Batcave as he and Bruce bond over the loss of their parents and forensic science. Barry asks about everything in the Batcave, including the Robin suit, which gives Bruce pause. Diana shows up, and tells Bruce and Barry Steppenwolf’s history:

Steppenwolf first attacked over 5,000 years prior, during the Age of the Old Gods. The Gods of Olympus, the Titans, and other mythological beings from Greece; Teth Adam, the Wizard Nabu, Prince Khufu and Princess Chiera from Egypt; the Enchantress, Incubus and their race; and their various human armies joined together to repel the invasion by Steppenwolf and other Apokoliptans. The combined alliance could only barely repel them, but the last-minute arrival of the Green Lantern Corps turned the tide of the battle, and Steppenwolf retreated with significant injuries. The Mother Box split into three, and was given to the Olympians, the last of the Old Gods, for safe-keeping. Prometheus stole one to give to humans, and the other two eventually passed into the hands of the Amazonians and the Atlanteans.

Bruce surmises that the Amazonian Mother Box has been stolen in an attack, and Diana hopes the Atlantean Mother Box is still safe. Bruce then deduces, and Diana confirms, that Arthur Curry is an Atlantean. Bruce asks Diana if the Amazonians will aid in the coming fight, but Diana says that the Amazonians must remain on the island to safeguard other secrets of the gods from men, and she suggests that the Atlanteans might be willing to help. Bruce agrees to take Barry to track down Arthur, while Diana agrees to track down Victor Stone.

In the North, Bruce recruits Arthur as in the movie, but he asks Arthur to bring with him the Atlantean army. Arthur notes that he is outcast from Atlantis, and shrugs off helping Bruce. As he leaves, Bruce warns Arthur that Steppenwolf already attacked Themyscira, and will come for Atlantis next. Arthur heads directly for Atlantis, where Steppenwolf attacks and steals the Mother Box. Arthur’s conversation with Mera plays out, and Arthur asks Mera if his half-brother will help. Mera tells Arthur that he will not.

Back in Gotham, Diana tries in vain to recruit Victor, but Silas is taken while he’s away. Gordon receives the information about the kidnappings and turns on the Bat signal. Bruce and Barry meet up with Diana on the tarmac, where they both share the bad news. The rooftop scene and the tunnel fight follow the film, but Diana repels Steppenwolf and forces him to retreat by using her lightning abilities. Arthur shows up as in the end to save the team from drowning.

Back at the Batcave, the assembled team discusses the recovered Mother Box. Bruce notes that without the Atlanteans or the Amazonians, the team will need Superman. Diana objects, believing the Mother Boxes to contain evil, but Bruce claims that they need to resurrect Superman before Steppenwolf does. Victor concurs with Bruce, and reveals that he has also had nightmares about the future. Diana warns that bringing Superman back may cause the very thing they want to avoid, but Bruce assures her that he has a contingency plan.

Flash and Cyborg retrieve Superman’s body and place it in his suit. The team infiltrates the scout ship, which is soon attacked by the Superman cult and parademons. As Batman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman hold off the attackers, Cyborg and Flash revive Superman, who bursts from the ship and hovers as in the film. The Superman cultists outside the ship bow before him and the parademons swarm around him before he lands. Superman examines the rubble and scans the team as in the film, hearing voices in his head. Both Aquaman and Cyborg fight Superman initially, with Cyborg briefly stunning him and Aquaman stabbing him. Superman recovers quickly from both, however, and throws them aside. Flash attempts to flank him as in the film, but Superman’s fight with Flash is seen both in slow motion and normal pace (as in MOS). Wonder Woman fights the longest with Superman, but he eventually overpowers her with his speed and strength. When Superman notices and grabs Batman, he tells Bruce, “She was my world, and you took her from me” before asking if he bleeds. Lois arrives as in the film, bringing Clark to his senses. Steppenwolf arrives to take the Mother Box, and leaves with the parademons. Realizing what he has done, Clark takes Lois and returns to the Kent Farm.

Act 3:

Spoiler

In a Russian nuclear plant, Steppenwolf unites the Mother Boxes into one Mother Box and begins the terraforming process. Instead of alien tendrils, the Mother Box cracks the Earth’s crust, transforming the land around the plant back into its primordial, volcanic state.

At the Batcave, the team regroups as in the film, but when Cyborg “goes under” to find the Mother Boxes, he sees glimpses of the Source Wall, Oa, New Genesis and Apokolips, Olympus and eventually, Russia. The team prepares to leave, but Barry asks if they should wait for Superman. Bruce tells them that Superman will come.

At the Kent farm, Lois asks Clark how he feels, and explains what has happened since his death. As Clark slowly remembers, Lois tells him that the world desperately needs him, but Clark still thinks the world would be better off without him. Lois tells Clark to worry about that later, and tells Superman about Steppenwolf. Clark reunites with Martha before flying off.

In Russia, the team fight their way to the nuclear plant, which has been converted into an industrial-looking Apokoliptan structure. Inside, they find the Mother Box hovering over a platform above a fire pit, and Cyborg goes to interface with it. Cyborg tells the team he thinks he can separate them, but he will need time to interface with it. Steppenwolf emerges from the fire pit and, empowered, attacks the team. Wonder Woman and Aquaman barely hold back Steppenwolf while Batman and Flash fight off parademons. As Cyborg interfaces with the Box, it tries to dissuade him, taking the appearance of his deceased mother. Steppenwolf eventually overpowers both Wonder Woman and Aquaman, dispatches Flash and Batman, and rips Cyborg away from the Mother Box. Touching it, Steppenwolf adds more power to the Box, intensifying and speeding up the process. Outside, the skies turn blood red as fire pits erupt from the ground. The Russian military arrives, but is quickly cut down by swarming parademons.

As Steppenwolf turns to finish off the team, Superman arrives like thunder and punches Steppenwolf outside of the plant. As the two battle outside, the rest of the team pick themselves back up to resume their plan. Cyborg rushes back to the Mother Box to try to separate it, but is unable to do so. The Box again tries to dissuade him, telling him that it will make him whole. Steppenwolf eventually knocks Superman back inside the plant, and gains the upper hand, but Wonder Woman and Aquaman join in to help him hold back Steppenwolf. Cyborg tells the team to get clear, as he’s going to try to destroy the boxes instead. Calling Flash over, Cyborg says he’s going to direct the Mother Box’s energies to himself, and needs Flash to use his lightning to overload the loop. Since he’s got the same energy inside him, it should create a feedback loop that destroys them. Flash points out that it would also kill Cyborg, but the latter says it’s a necessary sacrifice. The terraforming process stops as Cyborg absorbs the Mother Box’s energy, causing his metallic body to take on a more human shape. Flash overloads the loop and gets clear as the Mother Box explodes. Cyborg collapses to the ground.

Enraged, Steppenwolf lashes out, but the rest of the team works together to beat Steppenwolf. Beaten, the parademons gather Steppenwolf and retreat through a boomtube. With the fight won, the team huddles around Victor’s lifeless body and begin to mourn. However, the armor suddenly reawakens, and Victor returns to life; rather than being destroyed, the Mother Box has merged with him. Victor uses the Box’s power to return the area to its original state, before the nuclear meltdown 20 years prior.

News reports make note of Superman’s return and the events in Russia as the team parts ways. Outside Wayne Manor, Clark thanks Bruce for reviving him and apologizes to Diana for the headbutt. The three then discuss the future of the team and the role it could play in the world as a beacon of hope and a league of justice. Clark tells them that his father envisioned a future where others would join him in making a better world. As the three walk inside, Bruce remarks that he envisions a table with six seats, and Diana adds, with room for more. Then, Lois types out her article, and the closing montage plays out as it does in the film.

Holy moly, this was fantastic!