But Keaton donned the cape & cowl, and the film went on to become one of the highest grossing films of all time. Val Kilmer and George Clooney have since attempted to fill Keaton's latex body armor, but the series seems to be dwindling regardless of who wears the cape.

Now it has been announced that Warner Brothers wants to revitalize the Superman series with the Man of Steel played by quirky, sometimes comic actor Nicolas Cage. True, Cage is also an Oscar winner and proven action hero (FACE/OFF, CON AIR, and THE ROCK), but it still seems weird watch RAISING ARIZONA and keep telling yourself "This man will be Superman."

So with Superman and Batman out there, can it be too long before the rest of the DC universe follows? Probably, but let's ignore that and let me get on to the fun part. Let's suppose that the public demands more super-hero lovin' and our good buddies at Warner think, "Hey, let's make a JLA movie!" What kind of wild casting ideas would follow?

Since I'm writing this, we're going to examine my choices. If you have ideas of your own, feel free to e-mail me, smhenry@midway.uchicago.edu.

Let's start with Wonder Woman. Diana has often come across in the comics without a distinct personality. Each writer seems to approach her as a blank slate and imprint whatever he or she likes. My view of Wonder Woman has always been strong, regal, but not too uptight. At the same time, she seems a little bit exotic (she is a foreign princess, y'know.) So, my choice for Wonder Woman is British actress/super model Elizabeth Hurley. She proved in AUSTIN POWERS she could be classy, tough, feminine, and funny. Plus, she's hot, and that appeals to comic readin' guys like me.

Next up, Green Lantern. I guess we should look at the Kyle Rayner version, just cause that's the one who seems to be around and popular these days. I'm even kinda worried about including GL in the movie at all, because Green Lanterns always struck me as being incredibly powerful too powerful sometimes. But, plot considerations aside, my choice for Kyle is Ben Affleck, from CHASING AMY. He's just cool.

If we were talking Hal Jordan, I think it'd be much cooler to use someone really non-traditional. The obvious choice would be Harrison Ford, but I would push for an older comic actor, who isn't the typical action hero, someone like Steve Martin or even Jason Alexander. I can't really say why, mostly just for variety.

Aquaman, without the scraggly hair and harpoon hand, is Sting. No arguments, please we don't want this getting messy.

For Martian Manhunter, there really isn't anyone who looks the part ... I suppose a lot of latex and green body paint could do the trick. But wouldn't it be more fun to just have him a big claymation creature? Okay, that's kinda primitive. Maybe computer animated. Whatever. Either way, his voice absolutely must be provided by Sidney Poitier. Watch SNEAKERS and you'll understand completely; Poitier is world-weary but good-natured, sensitive but mighty. And he likes Oreos.

Next up is the Flash, presumably the Wally West version, since Barry has been dead for how many years now? Wally is not a kid anymore, but bits and pieces of his youthful enthusiasm jump out every once in a while. My pick for the Scarlet Speedster (I love those little nicknames!) would be Kevin Bacon, the center of the Hollywood universe.

That pretty much gives us a full team, but just in case, here are some other random ideas:

For Hawkman (the non-angel version), I suggest Bruce Campbell, best known as Brisco County, Jr. or Ash from the EVIL DEAD series.

For Green Arrow (the kid), I'd go with Scott Wolf, the thirty-year-old guy who plays a teenager on PARTY OF FIVE. If we could use Ollie Queen ... well then, who better than Sean Connery? And yes, I realize Ollie wasn't Scottish, but let's not quibble over the little things.

For Black Canary, I recommend Lucy Lawless with a nice bleach job. Or, for some reason, Helen Hunt strikes me as a good choice.

For Hawkwoman, Juliette Binoche. Just because.

If we want to go back to the fun years of the JLA, we could throw in Blue Beetle (Mike Myers), Booster Gold (Conan O'Brien), Guy Gardner (Emilio Estevez), Fire (Kelly Preston), Ice (Tara Fitzgerald), Mr. Miracle (Noah Wyle), Oberon (Billy Barty), and Maxwell Lord (Michael J. Fox). But we couldn't do that, could we?

And last but not least, where would Batman be without Robin. For Robin, we really ought to find someone younger than Chris O'Donnell, someone about nineteen or so. And someone who isn't widely known, maybe someone who's never been in a film before. I know! I've got someone perfect! His name is Sean Henry.