Christopher Reeve's Justice League

It's definitely a good time to be a comic book geek. Over the last decade we've had literally dozens of films adapting our beloved characters for the big screen. Some have been abysmal failures, others have been good and one was even nominated for eight Academy Awards. But it occurred to me today that this trend should have started earlier.
I grew up knowing two things: Christopher Reeve was Superman and that when I grew up I wanted to be him. I had a VHS copy of Superman: The Movie that I watched over and over, and I lamented the fact that I didn't wear glasses like Clark Kent. Now that I've gotten older my appreciation for the film has only deepened. I now know that in an era when the 1960's Batman TV show was popular Richard Donner chose to take his film in a different direction, one with true peril and emotional complexity. I also know that it was both critically and commercially successful. It was truly The Dark Knight of it's time. So I just don't understand it. Why is it now that we have this influx of superhero movies? Why not then?
Obviously it's not really a question that can be answered. But what it can do is make one think. What if the superhero adaptation fad had started with the success of Superman. What if instead of a series of increasingly inferior sequels, Superman had given us a Justice League movie back in the late 70's? And who, hypothetically, would play in Christopher Reeve's Justice League?
These are my ideal picks.

Harrison Ford as Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern

This one's almost a complete no brainer. I may have a harsh word or three to say about the guy now, but back in the day Harrison Ford was the man. Let's face it, there's hardly a word to describe Hal Jordan that doesn't also apply to Han Solo or Indiana Jones. Cocky, dedicated, a thrill seeker, a lady killer, a brilliant pilot and usually seen wearing a leather bomber jacket, Harrison Ford might as well just change his name to Hal Jordan.
The only downside to this casting would have been putting off the pivotal releases of The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), which, if you ask me, are two of the greatest films ever made. The idea of throwing off this man's iconic shooting schedule makes me glad that we're only rethinking history and not rewriting it.

Robert Redford as Barry Allen, the Flash

There are few actors that can pull off the sincerity, optimism and determination the role of Barry Allen demands. Fewer still that can do all that and have blond hair, but Robert Redford has it all. I almost went with frequent co-star Paul Newman over Redford, but his square jawed grin clinched it for me.
The best part of this casting is that beyond his off and on appearances on the Super Friends, the Flash was mostly unknown to the public in general. Robert Redford could have been the man to make Barry Allen come alive as Christopher Reeve did for Superman.

Lynda Carter  as Diana Prince, Wonder Woman

This casting decision is one mostly of convenience. The Wonder Woman television series debuted in '75 and ran through '79 and Lynda Carter is the face the public would generally associate with the character anyway. That coupled with the fact that it would shortcut having to explain who Wonder Woman is, even if it didn't fit into the shows continuity, only borrowed from it, we could narrowly avoid crossing the line from tightly written to overly complex.

Warren Beatty as Bruce Wayne, Batman

You can't have a Justice League without the Batman (failed 1990's pilots notwithstanding), but the problem here is that due to Adam West's Batman our audience already has a sense of who Batman is. We want them to keep their knowledge of Batman as the Caped Crusader from Gotham City, but change the audiences expectations to make way for a more serious take on the character. Enter Academy Award nominee Warren Beatty. Beatty not only looks the part of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne, but would lend a sense of legitimacy to the project.

Flash Fact: The Dark Knight, with it's eight Oscar nominations broke the record for most nominations for a comic book adaptation previously held by Dick Tracy (with seven) which Warren Beatty directed and starred in. Dick Tracy, however holds the record for most wins.

Donald Pleasence as J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter

I can't help it. Donald Pleasance's demeanor just seems alien to me. No matter what the role, whether it's Halloween's Dr. Loomis or James Bond's nemesis Blofeld, he always comes off as a rather cold, emotionally distant man. Perhaps it's this, even more than the baldness, that best suits him to play the Martian Manhunter. Unfortunately, considering J'onn's level of power and his character background being quite similar to Superman (Last Son of Mars), it would seem to me that the studio would opt to put someone else in his stead.

But who?

And there you have it. My ideal picks for what could have been the greatest Justice League of America film of all time. Unfortunately that was then and this is now, and until they invent time travel I'm afraid we'll just have to wait for our generation to put out a movie featuring the worlds greatest superheroes all in one place.