‘Justice League’: Joss Whedon Changes Made Original Ares Actor Miss Out On Money & Credit

According to Nick McKinless, the actor who played Ares in Justice League, the changes made by Joss Whedon to the film made him miss out on both money and credit.

Up until now, we were given enough to understand that most of the changes Joss Whedon made to what Zack Snyder originally intended to do with Justice League were limited to visual aesthetics and dialogue fluidity in some instances of the film. However, we weren’t aware that, while cutting and piecing the film together, Joss Whedon may have wronged some actors like Nick McKinless who played Ares in the process.

Justice League showed us historical exposition in scenes which served as background to tell the story about Steppenwolf’s invasion with the Mother Boxes and how the Armies of Men repelled his attack. However, Zack Snyder intended to tell a much different invasion story compared to what Joss Whedon presented. Zack Snyder planned for Darkseid to lead the invasion and not Steppenwolf. In fact, he included a much younger version of Darkseid named Uxas. This character eventually becomes Darkseid when he acquires the Omega Force in the comics.

During young Uxas’ invasion, Zeus, Artemis and Nick McKinless’ Ares appear with the Armies of Men to attack and expel him from Earth. Nick McKinless revealed that he went through a strenuous and costly training program in order to get fit enough to play the Greek God. McKinless spoke to Screenrant about what Zack Snyder wanted for his portrayal of Ares, which was later omitted by Joss Whedon altogether:

“Zack, Eunice Huthart (stunt coordinator) and myself sat in Zack’s office and discussed the scene and what look he wanted extensively and he clearly stated I would be Ares. It was that way right up until DC stepped in to completely change the make-up and costume after Zack had pretty much signed off on our original ideas. We did so many changes it was getting ridiculous frankly… Zack’s vision [was] skin like paper and veins like worms. I managed to implement a plan and train myself to get the required results. As well as being a stunt coordinator, I’ve also trained athletes and actors my whole life so I knew what was necessary”

After Joss Whedon edited Justice League and featured Steppenwolf instead of Darkseid during that invasion, Nick McKinless’ scenes were ultimately cut from the film. Justice League only credits him as a stuntman and Warner Bros. allegedly cut his pay substantially. Although no other actors have come out and stated similar problems.

As you may or may not know, Zack Snyder exited Justice League before the film was finished in order to take care of his family after his daughter sadly committed suicide. Joss Whedon was in charge of finishing the project but changed Zack Snyder’s tone in the movie altogether. Since Justice League came out, fans have been clamoring for DC and Warner Bros. to release Zack Snyder’s cut in order to see what the director originally intended for the heroes in the film.

Do you think Joss Whedon is to blame for how Justice League became ultimately? Sound off in the comment section down below!

After Justice League, Aquaman and Shazam!, the DCEU continues next year with Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) on February 7, 2020, and Wonder Woman 1984 on June 5, 2020. A standalone Joker film set outside of the DC Films universe starring Joaquin Phoenix as the Clown Prince of Crime is also set to hit theaters October 4, 2019.

Warner Bros. and DC are currently developing several projects. The list includes Matt Reeves’ The Batman, a Cyborg standalone film, a Flash standalone film, Green Lantern Corps, The Suicide Squad, Aquaman 2, The Trench, Black Adam, Supergirl, Plastic Man and New Gods.

Source: ScreenRant