A surprise new look at George Miller’s canceled Justice League movie features an underrated DC hero

Justice League
(Image credit: DC/Lionel Hahn)

Filmmaker Ryan Unicomb has released a surprise look at George Miller's unmade Justice League movie – featuring an underrated DC hero.

"The late, great Hugh Keays-Byrne as J’onn J’onzz Martian Manhunter for George Miller’s Justice League," Unicomb wrote alongside the official production still.

Back in 2007, Miller was set to direct Justice League: Mortal. Alongside Keays-Byrne, the cast included Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, Teresa Palmer as Talia al Ghul, Adam Brody as Barry Allen aka The Flash, and Jay Baruchel as Maxwell Lord. The production was reportedly put on hold due to the 2007-08 WGA strike, before being canceled indefinitely after the success of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight

Joss Whedon and Zack Snyder's Justice League wouldn't hit theaters until a decade later – which ultimately bombed at the box office and was poorly received by fans and critics alike. Zack Snyder's Justice League, aka The Snyder Cut, hit HBO in 2021 and had a much more positive reception.

The Martian Manhunter, created by Joseph Samachson and Joe Certa, made his comic book debut back in 1955. He's one of the seven original members of the Justice League, and was played by Harry Lennix in Zack Snyder's Justice League. 

A documentary about the pic, titled Seven Friends: George Miller's Justice League, was announced back in 2020 – though Unicomb posted in the comments under his photo of Keays-Byrne that he was no longer producing the doc.

For more, check out our list of the most exciting upcoming movies in 2024 and beyond, or check out our complete guide to all the upcoming DC movies and shows that you need to know about.

CATEGORIES
Lauren Milici
Senior Writer, Tv & Film

Lauren Milici is a Senior Entertainment Writer for 12DOVE currently based in the Midwest. She previously reported on breaking news for The Independent's Indy100 and created TV and film listicles for Ranker. Her work has been published in Fandom, Nerdist, Paste Magazine, Vulture, PopSugar, Fangoria, and more.

Read more
Robert Pattinson in The Batman
Upcoming DC movies and TV shows: every DCU title coming soon
Superman
James Gunn cryptically suggests that the DCU is building towards a Superman and Batman crossover
David Corenswet as Superman
Epic Superman trailer features a bloody and bruised Clark Kent, the first look at Lex Luthor, and introduces a whole bunch of heroes to James Gunn's DCU
Superman
James Gunn shares new look at Superman with first poster and teaser for official trailer
David Corenswet as Superman in first look at James Gunn's new movie
Superman release date, trailer, cast, and everything you need to know about the new movie
Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry in Aquaman
Jason Momoa pitched being cast as Lobo as soon as James Gunn got his DC job in a text with "ten billion exclamation points": "It was always part of the plan"
Latest in DC Movies
Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn on set of Joker 2
Lady Gaga jokingly celebrates Joker 2 reception and Razzie nominations: "Joke's on them. I love winning things"
Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
James Gunn reveals Jason Momoa text him about Lobo the day he was announced as DC Studios co-head
Batman and Catwoman talking
Robert Pattinson is hoping to team up with his The Batman co-star Zoe Kravitz on another project soon
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne in The Batman
Robert Pattinson worries he will be a "f*cking old Batman" by the time filming on The Batman 2 finally starts
Superman
Gen V star reveals he unsuccessfully auditioned for Superman and Homelander
Daniel Radcliffe in The Lost City / Clayface in DC comics
James Gunn denies DC casting rumors that Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe will play Clayface: "We certainly haven’t talked to or considered him"
Latest in News
Overwatch 2
My hopes for an Overwatch anime or Diablo horror movie are going strong as Blizzard president points out "we are Blizzard Entertainment, and not simply Blizzard Games"
The New Thunderbolts leaping into action
Marvel's New Thunderbolts* comic steals the MCU's asterisk, and the reason why is just as big of a mystery
Pokemon Go players brace for the worst as Niantic is sold off for $3.5 billion: "This game is entering its death knell"
Stamp PSP
A 16-year-old pitch for a newly discovered first-party PSP game has me mourning the death of PlayStation's Japan Studio all over again
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon says he "got rid of" agents who deliberately kept him away from video game gigs: "They just didn't want me to do it"
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"