John Cleese teases his rumored 'Justice League' role with a stack of comic books

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January 25, 2017

Last fall, Batman News readers noticed that Monty Python star John Cleese started following Ben Affleck and Zack Snyder on Twitter. He was also followed by the Batman v Superman UK Twitter account and set photographer Clay Enos. This lead fans to believe that Cleese may have a role in Justice League, and today, more fuel has been added to the fire.

Several Batman News readers brought to my attention a tweet from Cleese from last week. He posted a picture of himself getting ready for a live event in his dressing room, but included in front of him was a stack of comic books!

Getting into character before tonight's Q&A in Worcester, MA pic.twitter.com/ajek3bpyQS
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) January 20, 2017

Look at the photo in high resolution and you'll see that Cleese has "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns", "Justice League: Origin", and "Batman Noir: Black Mirror".

While this doesn't 100% confirm anything, it certainly adds fuel to the rumors that Cleese has a role in the DC Extended Universe. Let me know what you think of all this in the comments section below.

This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com

101 comments

Worlds Finest Comments
January 25, 2017
Those 3 books don't really have much in common as far as potential supporting characters he might play.
Would still be cool if he's playing a New God, but he could just be playing a mayor.
1. B Sharp
  January 25, 2017
  Yeah i was trying to think of a common thread. I doubt he'd be a new god. He might just be a TV personality or news anchor. Possibley a flash back to Jarvis Pennyworth.
2. OGmacrazy
  January 25, 2017
  Yeah, much like Jena Malone or Scott Eastwood, he may just be playing a throw away character. We'll see.
  1. sj conker
    January 25, 2017
    they're gonna pull a the Max von Sydow in the Force Awakens. 3 minutes and dead.
3. Swaggersaurus
  January 25, 2017
  Yeah? Look closer. 3 comic books? All featuring batman? If you have read these books like I have this can only mean one thing...
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  Half Life 3 confirmed.
  1. Thomas Guy
    January 25, 2017
    Damn you lol
  2. Az
    January 26, 2017
    Thank you for this
4. Nahuel Benvenuto
  January 25, 2017
  i suppose he will play a very secondary character, but it can be anything
Canucks Fan
January 25, 2017
Glorious Godfrey please
and for some reason i want Danny Devito as Granny Goodness just because of his stature it's what made him a great looking Penguin in Batman Returns. As much as i like the Gotham Penguin i prefer Penguin to be a short round guy,
1. Mark
  January 25, 2017
  Robin Lord Miller made a comment during season 1 that the Penguin was the first role he had ever gotten where he was criticized for being too tall and too handsome. :)
2. Jim Shields
  January 26, 2017
  you know that sounds like it would be a great match for the JL movie. We know that the Parademons have some HQ or whatever in the sewers under Gotham (or is it Metropolis?)
  It's plausible they're recruiting super villains to help them and Godfrey is their liaison.
Kawshik Ahmed
January 25, 2017
Granny is a female character
1. Halberdier17
  January 25, 2017
  But she is typically voiced by a male character. So Batcape was thinking dress John Cleese up as Granny Goodness.
  1. Josh Morgan
    January 25, 2017
    i really hope they dont actually call her Granny Goodness in the movies
    1. Nahuel Benvenuto
      January 25, 2017
      why not?
      1. Josh Morgan
        January 25, 2017
        come on now...
Kouglof
January 25, 2017
Lipstick => Granny Goodness confirmed.
Granny Goodness + Dream sequence from BvS + Superman's comeback => Legacy (two last episodes from Superman: The Animated Series).
1. UniteTheLeague
  January 25, 2017
  Yes I was hoping for that but his selection of comicbooks seems to have inclination towards Batman's universe, don't you think? I once heard a rumour that he might be playing a TV Anchor or something, having an angst against the Justice League.
  1. Kouglof
    January 25, 2017
    He may also play Glorious Godfrey :
    * Godfrey team affiliations ->
    Darkseid's Elite
    * Wikipedia (The New 52) : "Glorious Godfrey makes his first appearance by giving greetings to Batman and Ra's al Ghul from Apokolips"
    * There's a medieval scene in JL comic-con trailer
    * A wink to his Lancelot character in Monty Python and the Holy Grail
KB
January 25, 2017
Somebody had mentioned that he could be Wintergreen (Deathstroke's version of Alfred) for 'The Batman'. Since Deathstroke is the baddie for that film, and his age/looks, I can totally see that happening.
1. KB
  January 31, 2017
  True but I could be just to research the world. It is weird that he has a Batman book in which Dick Grayson is Batman, so who knows what he's researching for lol. I remember Joe Manganiello had Geoff Johns' Batman novel in a pic he shared, I don't think Slade was in that book. So it could be just them picking up random books
Josh West
January 25, 2017
The Justice League film is drawing some elements from Justice League: Origin, so this makes me wonder if the Black Mirror storyline will have any relation to 'The Batman'. Of course, he could be just reading up on Batman comics to familiarize himself with the lore.
residentgrigo
January 25, 2017
Unconnected but the new Doom Patrol featured this gem this week:
http://i.imgur.com/9kgvb9q.jpg
Multo Bane indeed and the Schumacher one got his own coring page too. His rubbish finally payed off!
residentgrigo
January 25, 2017
All 3 feature a Batman, i guess, but Black Miror doesn´t have Bruce in it. DKR has the DCEU Batman. Origins will be partially adapted in JLA and Black Mirror. Hm. It has a very particular take on the Joker and Dick is the protagonist. Yeah, that one sticks out.
Or these could just be the ones that looked nice to him from DC´s to read pile. Much more likely.
This tweet is also 4 days "old", as Chris only saw it due to reddit.
ThaLoner’s Time Has Passed
January 25, 2017
Zack's cynicism has no place in the DC universe.
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
1. ArtimusGG
  January 25, 2017
  Is that recent? Pretty sure a lot of us appreciate and understand where he's coming from.
John Johnson
January 25, 2017
I'd love to see a flash forward sequence again with Cleese as:
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
But in all serious, I'm gonna try and break this research down.
First there's The Dark Knight Returns - I'm guessing that's to get an idea of who Batman is in the movie universe.
Then there's Justice League Origins - I'm guessing that's to get an idea of what situation the heroes as a whole are gonna be dealing with.
And finally, there's Black Mirror, which leads me to my guess for what Cleese's role will be:
The Dealer!
http://static7.comicvine.co...
1. John Johnson
  January 25, 2017
  No. I haven't developed enough interest in the show yet. Lot of other stuff going on, but I'm sure I'll catch-up with it someday.
  1. Dumb Cunt
    January 25, 2017
    damn, he's putting Leto to shame. not gotten into Gotham personally sadly
  2. John Johnson
    January 25, 2017
    Whoa. That was unexpected. :-) How far back do you suggest I start? I jumped ship when Zsasz first showed up.
    Also, I like the cult leader casting. Nice touch from The Dark Knight.
    1. John Johnson
      January 25, 2017
      Cool! Thanks for the info! I'm probably gonna just jump into season 3.
      1. John Johnson
        January 25, 2017
        Thanks! Will do!
    2. Nix
      January 26, 2017
      I LOVE Gotham. Handsdown my favorite CB show. Like it way more than the Netflix stuff (I think it's boring).
OGDickGrayson
January 25, 2017
The Black Mirror is my favorite Batman story, so honestly I'm a little worried if they're using that as inspiration.
1. © Uncle Sam™
  January 25, 2017
  ...wait what?
  1. OGDickGrayson
    January 25, 2017
    Because they've horribly fucked up their last two properties and I don't want them wasting the story if JL or the Batman is trash.
John Johnson
January 25, 2017
I'm gonna be honest. I think that makes them look ridiculous and entirely like a campy mess.
The designs look great on the page because they were made for the page; but holy hell do they not translate well at all into modern film, in my opinion.
ThaLoner’s Time Has Passed
January 25, 2017
Seriously, I hate this overly dark, hyper cynical and bleak mess that is the DC cinematic universe. I remember when these heroes inspired people and left us feeling hopeful for the future. Now all they do is incite depression and paranoia.
1. John Johnson
  January 25, 2017
  That could potentially be projection. Not everyone feels depression and paranoia after watching these movies.
  1. John Johnson
    January 25, 2017
    Opinions are not "truth." Everyone is entitled to their feelings and none of them are invalid. But truth is not something that is relevant to critique.
    1. John Johnson
      January 25, 2017
      Well, money is not a part of this particular discussion. With regards to entertainment critique, and one's interpretations of themes and emotional responses to that entertainment, "fact" is irrelevant.
      1. John Johnson
        January 25, 2017
        I totally understand that there's a general consensus with regard to entertainment, and that there was, is, and always will be one; but my point is that "truth" and "fact" are irrelevant to the opinions of a general consensus.
      2. John Johnson
        January 25, 2017
        Yes. And you have hurt my feelings. FACT. ;-)
  2. ThaLoner’s Time Has Passed
    January 25, 2017
    I don't personally feel depressed or paranoid. Fortunately there are Superhero films that do inspire hope. Not everyone feels that I'm sure, but they like that type of cynical and dark story telling to begin with, usually. It's just that kind of story telling isn't working with DC right now. Just keep the cynical, dark and depressing nature away from my Superheroes who should inspire me.
    1. AreTuda EDub
      January 25, 2017
      Are you a teenager or from a smaller town? Its not dark and cynical so much as it is fanastic beings in a "real world" setting. These stories deserve to be told and people who need heroes the most are the people who live in "darker realities". It brings the heroes to their neck of the woods with stories of hope. Hope isn't a smile in the middle of a disaster. Hope is a belief that we can see a tomorrow no matter how hard our today is.
      1. Tobescolombo
        January 25, 2017
        Now THAT summarizes the DC universe.
      2. ThaLoner’s Time Has Passed
        January 25, 2017
        19...Oh and its MY opinuin...,DC is shet...Its just the wuy I see it.
    2. John Johnson
      January 25, 2017
      I can understand that. I'm, personally, of the camp that enjoys the darker nature of today's superheroes; there is hope in these stories, but they're reached by crawling through a briar patch, so to speak. It's also just the nature of art in general - the zeitgeist. I'm sure in the next decade or so, we'll start to see a shift back into the "brighter" superheroes. Human culture has always been a series of ups and downs, and fortunately for some/unfortunately for others, now is coming off as a bit of a downer.
    3. pw1x
      January 25, 2017
      There it is--the generation of ME
    4. Rust
      January 30, 2017
      It's odd that you would say that considering your avatar.
  3. Rust
    January 30, 2017
    I feel the complete opposite. The bleakness and cynicism is conquered in MoS and BvS - and even Waller gets a redeeming moment in SS.
    The point of darkness in art like this is to give value to light (and it can work the other way around too).
    And the value of a hero is in the amount of darkness he must face to find the light again. The more he overcomes and the higher the stakes means that the hero's success brings greater hope and relief.
    That's why the Joker is the most popular villain ever. It's not because he has a catchy clown motif. It's also why Batman is arguably the most popular hero. We could also draw parallels to Jesus, as Zack Snyder wisely did.
    So, those things considered (which they typically aren't), I actually find MoS and BvS to be the most heroic superhero movies we've ever had - and the most rewarding as hero journey experiences, which is the goal of telling these stories in the first place.
    The people who rail against this are enemies of good storytelling.
    1. John Johnson
      January 30, 2017
      Amazing post. I whole-heartedly agree.
2. AreTuda EDub
  January 25, 2017
  Hes been part of it since the beginning. The whole DC Universe was built by a roundtable with The Snyders, Roven, Johns, and Berg. I have the EW article with Roven stating this himself.
  1. AreTuda EDub
    January 25, 2017
    I loved MoS & BvS as they were very artful films, just with the mandatory superhero movie setpiece in the last act. Suicide Squad I gave a 4/10 when I first saw it...it grew to a 7 when I took it for what it wanted to be (just as good as any Fast & Furious movie). We shall see though. If the writing is anything like the CW shows though, that wont be upto snuff for the DCEU for me.
3. Foomankru
  January 25, 2017
  That's funny. I feel the same way about the people who come on to boards and consistently give their negative opinion about the DCEU. Every descriptive word above mirrors what people like you are all about.
  1. ThaLoner’s Time Has Passed
    January 25, 2017
    No
    1. Havs
      January 25, 2017
      true shit
  2. FUN
    January 25, 2017
    Ha! Touche!
Baron G
January 25, 2017
Madhatter I think
1. © Uncle Sam™
  January 25, 2017
  hmmmm I'm not seeing it.
  I'm betting on Wintergreen.
  1. Orlando Furioso
    January 25, 2017
    I'm not familiar with Wintergreen. Please fill me in.
    1. Orlando Furioso
      January 26, 2017
      Thanks!
  2. Nix
    January 26, 2017
    Riddler? I can totally see it.
Mattimus
January 25, 2017
Such a great actor. Btw, now that Donald Trump is president, the DC movies are going to be a lot better. Thanks Mr. President. #MAGA
1. Mattimus
  January 25, 2017
  pipe down snowflake
2. Mattimus
  January 25, 2017
  You on the Trump Train with me?
3. Ace20xd6
  January 25, 2017
  Is this a joke? Or do you actually think Superman, the illegal alien, reporter, and stands for Truth, Justice, and the American way, actually support someone like Trump who loves InfoWars.
  1. Ace20xd6
    January 25, 2017
    https://lh3.googleuserconte...
    1. Alan Conn
      January 25, 2017
      Damn straight Teddy.
  2. Ace20xd6
    January 25, 2017
    He also fled to the big city
4. Ned Ryerson
  January 25, 2017
  I'm not fond of him but don't be the embodiment of a whiny, illogical liberal. I didn't vote for Trump, but you're not a racist for voting for one of two viable political candidates, otherwise Hillary's campaign slogan should've just been "vote for me or you're a racist". That kind of logic only works if you're so partisan that you literally demonize your opponents. Besides we should be encouraging free speech and debate not reporting people like this is Soviet Russia in the 1940s.
QuickMann
January 25, 2017
They look like they're on their way to a birthday party.
1. col42
  January 25, 2017
  Seriously, can't believe people actually want that, but hey, whatever works for em.
  1. pw1x
    January 25, 2017
    They don't; people don't
2. man_you_fear_19
  January 25, 2017
  Why do you want everything the same? There are so many versions of these characters, most that are specifically for kids, why must the movies be that too?
Josh D.
January 25, 2017
Was he confirmed for Justice League? Those three books make me think he's prepping for Batman.
1. BatmanNewsChris
  January 25, 2017
  No, that's just speculation. I guess it could be a Batman role.
  1. Josh D.
    January 25, 2017
    With Justice League wrapped, seems weird he'd be brushing up on his comics in his dressing room. Unless, of course, he just really enjoys them, which I can't blame him there.
    1. Nix
      January 26, 2017
      Or Justice League is inspired by JL: Origins and he's getting some background info on the JL members?
      1. Josh D.
        January 26, 2017
        But JL is wrapped, so why now?
papasanchez
January 25, 2017
Well thats as good as confirmed. He's clearly the new batman.
http://giphy.com/gifs/john-...
Daniel
January 25, 2017
He must be playing Darkseid.
1. © Uncle Sam™
  January 25, 2017
  https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Wolverine
January 25, 2017
Money and Affleck.
1. Wolverine
  January 25, 2017
  Remember, He thought that BvS was great and he has never directed a superhero movie before so don't get your hopes up.
Dumb Cunt
January 25, 2017
honestly this Flash looks a lot better, but the rest? no thanks. not a fan of blue Batman.
Supermansteve
January 25, 2017
If he has a role in this at all, I could see that it's so small that you could not even tell he was in it. I'm personally not a fan of him I don't think he funny at all.
When I first found out that Russel Crow was in MAN OF STEEL I was so annoyed. But then I watched it and he totally nailed it, such a perfect role.
But remember Zack Snyder knows exactly what he is doing, he is more of a fan than all of us put together. And that's really saying something.
Blockhead Jr.
January 25, 2017
N52 jl. Bvs inspiration dkr. Im thinking he's playing a batman related character or Darkseid.
Joker
January 25, 2017
Theres only one man who appears in all 3 of those titles. Its clear to me now! John Cleese is playing Batman!!
....wait...
Another Bloody Bastard
January 25, 2017
http://paczaizm.pl/content/...
Mario
January 25, 2017
Walper?
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
Diego!
January 25, 2017
I really have no clue who he could be playing 🤔
AnonymousHero
January 25, 2017
He'd make a great Alfred (Batman TAS-style) but the role is wel-occupied.
Who knows... but nice to have him on board.
Anthony Ten
January 25, 2017
Why would somebody smart like John Cleese want to be in a dumb comic book movie?
1. FUN
  January 25, 2017
  Coz they don't make smart movies anymore. Those dumb MCU movies changed everything.
AnonymousHero
January 25, 2017
Very intelligent guess. I could see that happening...

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This is an archive of Batman-News.com from 2010 to 2025. For the latest news, check out BatmanNews.com