History of the DC Appleverse
The DC Appleverse has origins tracing back to late 1973 when Ilya Salkind conceived the idea for a Superman film and eventually, come November 1974, the rights were purchased by Ilya, his father Alexander and their partner Pierre Spengler. Michael Lindsay-Hogg of Apple Films would later meet with the Salkinds, having done much research on the character of Superman and DC Comics, and would offer to have Apple co-produce Superman. Although Apple was known mainly for musical acts such as the Beatles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Fleetwood Mac and Smile, it was also beginning to get taken seriously as a film production company with the likes of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Originally, two Superman films were considered, but if both proved to be successful, then Apple Films would have the full rights to co-produce other films based upon other DC properties. Both films were successful, and while films being based around the characters of Batman and Wonder Woman, so were films based upon the Flash and Green Lantern. Eventually, discussions arose into suggesting that the films be all part of the same universe, eventually leading to the production of 1985's Justice League, the tenth film of the Appleverse both in production and chronology. Currently, plans are in place for a second Justice League film featuring the Legion of Doom led by Lex Luthor, and alongside that, plans for another film each about the Flash (Reverse) and Green Lantern (Emerald Knights) along with standalone films about Supergirl, Aquaman and Martian Manhunter, as well as a third Batman film featuring Poison Ivy (to be played by Madeline Kahn) and Two-Face (Billy Dee Williams) as the villains.
Chronology of Events
Wonder Woman (released August 1981; takes place in 1944, ending in 1980)
United States army pilot Steve Trevor lands himself in Paradise Island, a segregated land of women, and meets one of its residents, Diana, the daughter of Queen Hippolyta. After explaining that the world of man is under war, Steve brings Diana to the world outside of Paradise Island, the latter believing that the god of war Ares is responsible for the cause of the war. Along the way, Diana encounters Baroness Paula von Gunther, a cold-blooded Nazi spy for Hitler, who pretends to ally with her and Steve so she can kill them; unknown to everyone, however, she is a pawn in Ares' game to exterminate Diana, who is later revealed to be the daughter of Zeus and Hippolyta. In the end, the Baroness and Ares are killed, and the war comes to an end following the collapse of Nazi Germany. In the present day, Diana reunites with an elderly Steve Trevor, and they see a bat-shaped signal in the sky, with Diana going off to see what it could mean.
Superman (released December 1978; takes place in 1949-1979)
Krypton is under threat of destruction when its red supergiant sun goes supernova, and so Jor-El sends his infant son Kal-El to Earth on a spaceship, where his dense molecular structure would give him superhuman strength and other powers. Kal-El is raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent in Smallville, Kansas, and given the name Clark Kent. After his father dies, Clark journeys to the Fortress of Solitude where he meets a hologram of Jor-El, living there for twelve years to learn about his reason for being sent to Earth. Returning to society, Clark Kent becomes a reporter for the Daily Planet in Metropolis, where he meets Lois Lane and develops a romantic attraction for her. When she gets involved in a helicopter accident, Clark uses his powers publicly for the first time and rescues her before helping other citizens in need and stopping criminals in their tracks, being given the name "Superman" by Lois.
Meanwhile, criminal genius Lex Luthor, along with his minions Otis and Miss Teschmacher, learns of a joint nuclear missile test between the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy and reprograms one of the missiles to detonate in the San Andreas Fault. Knowing that Superman could defeat him, Lex and his accomplices retrieve a piece of unknown mineral from a meteor from the planet Krypton and expose it to Superman after luring him to their lair, weakening him. Teschmacher betrays Luthor upon learning that the eastbound missile could kill her mother, who lives in Hackensack, New Jersey, and she frees Superman, who sends the eastbound missile into outer space. Not fast enough to stop the westbound missile from hitting the San Andreas Fault, Superman is still able to mitigate the effects by sealing the fault line, and even saves Lois from suffocating when her car falls into a crevice from one of the aftershocks. Afterwards, Superman brings Luthor and Otis to prison.
Meanwhile, criminal genius Lex Luthor, along with his minions Otis and Miss Teschmacher, learns of a joint nuclear missile test between the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy and reprograms one of the missiles to detonate in the San Andreas Fault. Knowing that Superman could defeat him, Lex and his accomplices retrieve a piece of unknown mineral from a meteor from the planet Krypton and expose it to Superman after luring him to their lair, weakening him. Teschmacher betrays Luthor upon learning that the eastbound missile could kill her mother, who lives in Hackensack, New Jersey, and she frees Superman, who sends the eastbound missile into outer space. Not fast enough to stop the westbound missile from hitting the San Andreas Fault, Superman is still able to mitigate the effects by sealing the fault line, and even saves Lois from suffocating when her car falls into a crevice from one of the aftershocks. Afterwards, Superman brings Luthor and Otis to prison.
Wonder Woman II (released October 1984; takes place in 1979)
Over the years following the end of World War II, and Diana Prince has taken up residency in Washington, D.C., becoming roommates with a dancer and philanthropist with a split personality by the name of Priscilla Rich. At first, the two women get along well with each other, but when Priscilla sees Wonder Woman (unknown to her, actually Diana) save a child from getting hurt at a charity event, she becomes envious and wishes that she was as good as Wonder Woman. Over time, Priscilla becomes increasingly disheveled before she finally becomes the Cheetah.
Cheetah frames Wonder Woman for a bank robbery and tips off the police before setting fire to a warehouse that Wonder Woman is in, but she manages to survive and escape because of her fireproof armor. She manages to follow Priscilla to Paradise Island where the villain holds Queen Hippolyta hostage. Cheetah and Wonder Woman battle for control of Paradise Island, with the former defeated when Hippolyta's magical girdle is taken off of her. Priscilla requests to remain on Paradise Island until she can control her split personality while Diana returns to Washington, D.C., where reads a news article about Superman sealing the San Andreas fault line after Lex Luthor's hijacking of a nuclear missile to detonate in it. This piques Diana's interest, wondering how many other superheroes are in man's world.
Superman II (released December 1979; takes place in 1979)
In the cold opening on Krypton, General Zod, Ursa and Non are sentenced to eternal banishment inside the Phantom Zone by Jor-El for insurrection and murder, amongst other crimes. Thirty years later, Superman unknowingly frees the villains from the Phantom Zone when he diverts one of the missiles into outer space as depicted in the first film. Lois Lane suspects that Clark Kent and Superman are the same person, and when they pose as newlyweds to investigate a scam at Niagara Falls, she tricks Clark into confessing that he is Superman. Afterward, Superman transforms himself into a human by exposing himself to red Kryptonian sunlight which removes his powers. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor escapes prison and discovers the Fortress of Solitude, even tracking down Zod and his minions, after hearing of the impending doom they will bring to Earth, who have taken over the White House in Washington D.C..
When he hears of Zod's conquest of the world, Clark returns to the Fortress of Solitude to restore his powers, even fulfilling the Kryptonian prophecy of "the father becoming the son", but it is at the cost of sacrificing the remaining Kryptonian energy, rendering the Fortress inoperable. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor teams up with Zod and his minions to find Superman, even using Lois as bait. After an intensive fight in and over Metropolis, Superman flies to the Fortress of Solitude, feigning defeat to the villains. It turns out that he has altered the process to expose Zod, Ursa and Non instead, rendering them powerless while Superman retains his. With the villains defeated, Superman and Lois have a tearful goodbye, realizing that a relationship simply wouldn't work between them, but to undo everything, Superman spins the Earth back in time by a few days, meaning that Zod, Ursa and Non will have never escaped from the Phantom Zone.
When he hears of Zod's conquest of the world, Clark returns to the Fortress of Solitude to restore his powers, even fulfilling the Kryptonian prophecy of "the father becoming the son", but it is at the cost of sacrificing the remaining Kryptonian energy, rendering the Fortress inoperable. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor teams up with Zod and his minions to find Superman, even using Lois as bait. After an intensive fight in and over Metropolis, Superman flies to the Fortress of Solitude, feigning defeat to the villains. It turns out that he has altered the process to expose Zod, Ursa and Non instead, rendering them powerless while Superman retains his. With the villains defeated, Superman and Lois have a tearful goodbye, realizing that a relationship simply wouldn't work between them, but to undo everything, Superman spins the Earth back in time by a few days, meaning that Zod, Ursa and Non will have never escaped from the Phantom Zone.
Batman (released December 1982; takes place in 1980)
In Gotham City, vigilante Batman stops a bank robbery orchestrated by a criminal known as the Joker, but he manages to escape before Batman can catch him. Later, billionaire Bruce Wayne - also Batman - attends a circus performance by the Flying Graysons, but a bomb is detonated, killing John and Mary, but their son Dick survives and Bruce takes him in under his wing, emphasizing with the young boy's plight over losing his parents. It's later revealed that it was the Joker who detonated the bomb unless Batman revealed himself. At that time, photojournalist Vicki Vale is investigating to see who Batman really is, and starts dating Bruce Wayne.
The Joker continues to wreak havoc across Gotham City as it approaches its bicentennial, including putting district attorney Harvey Dent out of commission and vandalizing the Museum of Art. Police Commissioner Jim Gordon teams up with Batman to stop the Clown Prince of Crime in his tracks, and Dick learns what it means to be a hero, taking on the identity of Robin. While the celebrations go on, Batman and Robin confront the Joker on the top of a cathedral where he holds Vicki Vale hostage; the villain attempts to get Robin to kill him so he could "avenge his parents", but the young boy resists, and the Joker is arrested and sent to Arkham Asylum.
The Flash (released August 1982; takes place in 1980)
Barry Allen, a young forensic chemist, is living with a single father in Central City and has the unfortunate reputation for constantly running late, although he does everything possible to impress his crush, Iris West. One night, Barry gets drenched with unspecified chemicals due to a lightning bolt strike and he gains the ability to run at super-human speeds. Meanwhile, a man by the name of Leonard Snart lives in an ice truck and learns about the new superhero called The Flash in a newspaper article, wondering how he could stop the young superhero in his tracks - literally. He breaks into a cyclotron lab and designs a weapon to harness the power of freezing, donning the identity of Captain Cold.
Captain Cold then commits a series of crimes across Central City - fortunately, no one is killed - and tries to take Iris as his bride, but Barry comes to her rescue and sends his archenemy to prison. Both Barry and Iris fall in love, and some time after the attack, Iris meets up with fellow reporter Lois Lane, and the latter asks the former if she knows of anyone with super abilities themselves, having heard of the Flash vs. Cold battle from Metropolis.
Batman and Robin (released July 1984; takes place in 1981)
Following the Joker's arrest, a relationship between billionaire Bruce Wayne and journalist Vicki Vale had not worked out, with Bruce instead putting his attention on looking after his ward Richard "Dick" Grayson. However, the pair meet with a young woman by the name of Selina Kyle who becomes enamored with Bruce, much to Dick's disgust, which puts a strain on their relationship. Unknown to either of them (although Dick finds out first), she is actually a burglar who goes by the name of Catwoman, and is working under a mobster by the name of Oswald Cobblepot, who goes by the moniker "Penguin".
Bruce and Dick's relationship gets strained to the point that they argue over whether or not Selina should be trusted or not. In a desperate attempt to prove himself right, Robin goes off to hunt Catwoman down and have her arrested, only to be held at ransom by the Penguin and his goons. When Bruce hears of Robin's capture, he goes after his ward as Batman, leading to a final battle that ends with the Penguin being killed by Catwoman as revenge for turning on her. It is there that Batman unmasks himself in front of Catwoman, revealing himself to be Bruce Wayne and that Robin is Dick Grayson. Bruce and Selina part ways (but not without sneaking in one final kiss) while the former repairs his relationship with Dick. Some time later, Batman encounters a man in a blue suit with a red cape, wondering what his purpose is here on Earth.
Superman III (released June 1983; takes place in 1981)
A mysterious asteroid lands on Earth, which prompts interest from Clark Kent; it turns out to be a space pod from the planet Colu, and its sole occupant is a young woman by the name of Kara Zor-El, who takes on the civilian identity of Linda Danvers, who is later revealed to be Clark's cousin. A flashback reveals that when Krypton exploded, Kara was originally meant to arrive on Earth alongside the baby Kal-El, but her space pod had been knocked off course and she ended up in suspended animation for over twenty years before landing in Colu instead, where she is raised by Brainiac who becomes her surrogate father. While Linda adjusts to life on Earth, she and Clark come across an impish trickster from the fifth dimension known as Mr. Mxyzptlk, who uses his abilities to play pranks.
Some time later, Brainiac lands on Earth, having followed Linda the whole time, hoping that she'll use her abilities to cause destruction, but thanks to Clark's guiding hand, she's using them for good, and if even dubbed "Supergirl" in the press. In retaliation, Brainiac uses a personality machine to corrupt and manipulate Superman, therefore turning him evil. Supergirl fights him and with the help of Lois Lane, restores Superman back to good. A final battle with Brainiac then commences after the group time travels to a fiefdom in the Middle Ages that the villain has taken over, leading to him getting stuck there while the heroes return to the present. At a café, Clark and Linda meet up with Mr. Mxyzptlk (who had helped them travel back to the present) who gives them a cryptic warning about a greater evil coming to Earth.
Green Lantern (released October 1983; takes place in 1982)
Following the funeral of his father during a failed rescue mission, a young Hal Jordan becomes determined to honor his legacy in any way he can. Years later, Hal finds himself working for Ferris Aircraft in Coast City and becomes enamored with the co-founder's daughter Carol (who eventually takes over the company when her father is removed from power). One day, a ship crashes onto Earth near Coast City, and Hal encounters the dying pilot, an alien named Abin Sur who is a member of the Green Lantern Corps, serving to protect all life in Space Sector 2814, where Earth is. When Abin Sur dies, his power ring chooses Hal for his ability to overcome great fear, and he vows to honor Abin Sur's wishes. Hal then meets with Green Lantern leader Sinestro, who explains the history of the corporation to him.
Meanwhile, a criminal by the name of Hector Hammond discovers the fragments of an unusual meteor in Africa in which nearby plants have evolved rapidly, and so he kidnaps four scientists and exposes them to the meteor's radiation, evolving their intellect to which Hammond forces them to create amazing new inventions. Hammond quickly becomes a celebrity thanks to this newfound profit, which catches the interest of Hal and his friend Thomas Kalmaku, who helps him out by doubling as the Green Lantern with a duplicate power ring and costume. Hammond thinks Thomas is Hal and after capturing him, steals his ring and turns him into a monkey. The real Hal then confronts Hammond and a battle between them ensures, with Hammond losing when the charge of his ring runs out, and Thomas and the scientists are restored to normal. Some time after the final battle, Hal and Carol run into Barry Allen, who tells them that he's been travelling the country looking for some of the biggest heroes to prepare for a big threat against the world.
Justice League (released May 1985; takes place in 1983)
For the past few years, Diana Prince has been travelling the United States, trying to learn more about the superheroes that currently reside in man's world. At the same time, Clark Kent is left wondering about the cryptic warning concerning a greater evil coming to Earth, and Bruce Wayne is trying to learn more about the mysterious flying man in the blue suit. By sheer coincidence, Clark and Bruce meet up at a party being hosted at Wayne Manor, and both encounter Diana there as well, who gets the two men in a private room where she reveals herself to be Wonder Woman and explains about her quest to find other superheroes in the United States. Both Clark and Bruce agree to aid Diana in forming a superhero league.
Meanwhile, at Coast City, Barry Allen and Hal Jordan respectively encounter a half-human, half-Atlantean man by the name of Arthur Curry and a Martian known as J'onn J'onzz. Barry and Hal both talk about their findings and invite Arthur and J'onn to partner up and form a team themselves. Unknown to the heroes, however, Steppenwolf, a New God from Apokolips, is leading a horde of Parademons to Earth to find Superman and destroy him, under the command on his nephew Darkseid.
Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman battle the Parademons when they invade Metropolis, but they are quickly outnumbered. Just as Steppenwolf is about to finish off Superman, he is stopped by the sudden arrival of the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and Martian Manhunter, along with the assistance of Supergirl and Robin. Instead of finishing off Steppenwolf, the villain returns to Apokolips to face his punishment at his failure to accomplish his goal. The Flash then explains that they heard about the impending invasion at Metropolis through Robin, which was how they were able to get there quickly. With Earth's heroes together for the first time, they form the Justice League and begin a new quest to not only protect the Earth, but find new superheroes to help them do so.
In the post-credits scene, Steppenwolf faces the wrath of Darkseid, who announces that when the time comes, he will be coming to Earth.
Cast for the DC Appleverse
The Heroes
- Christopher Reeve as Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman
- Jeff East as teenage Clark Kent
- John Travolta as Bruce Wayne / Batman
- Elizabeth Peña as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
- Thomas F. Wilson as Barry Allen / The Flash
- Jeff Goldblum as Hal Jordan / Green Lantern
- Tom Cruise as Dick Grayson / Robin
- Helen Slater as Kara Zor-El / Linda Danvers / Supergirl
- Rutgar Haur as Arthur Curry / Aquaman
- Carel Struycken as J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter
Superhero Allies
- Margot Kidder as Lois Lane
- Jackie Cooper as Perry White
- Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen
- Glenn Ford as Jonathan Kent
- Phyllis Thaxter as Martha Kent
- Marlon Brando as Jor-El
- Susannah York as Lara
- E.G. Marshall as the President of the United States
- Dudley Moore as Mr. Mxyzptlk
- John Schneider as Steve Trevor
- Raquel Welch as Queen Hippolyta
- Michelle Pfeiffer as Iris West
- Harvey Keitel as Commissioner Jim Gordon
- Peter Cushing as Alfred Pennyworth
- Diane Keaton as Vicki Vale
- Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent
- Barbara Bach as Selina Kyle / Catwoman
- Geena Davis as Carol Ferris
- John de Lancie as Sinestro / Green Lantern
- John Getz as Thomas Kalmaku
- Paul Newman as Martin Jordan
The Villains
- Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor
- Terence Stamp as General Zod
- Patrick Stewart as Brainiac
- Sigourney Weaver as Paula von Gunther
- Ian McKellen as Ares
- Sharon Stone as Priscilla Rich / Cheetah
- Al Pacino as Leonard Snart / Captain Cold
- Robert de Niro as The Joker
- Donald Pleasence as Oswald Cobblepot / Penguin
- Geoffrey Rush as Hector Hammond
- Christopher Lee as Steppenwolf
- Liam Neeson as Darkseid
Supervillain Minions
- Ned Beatty as Otis
- Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher
- Sarah Douglas as Ursa
- Jack O'Halloran as Non
Author's Comments
Not much to say about this one. It's basically a recapping of the films that have taken place thus far (with links as to which chapters they originated from) along with a casting list for the major players to date.
