Dread Central sat down with an archangel from Legion in the New Mexico desert where the biblical apocalypse feature is being shot. Paul Bettany plays the archangel Michael, who is fallen and wingless but sports an impressive array of tattoos. Bettany revealed their interesting back story.
In actual fact [the language] was developed by a man called John Dee, and you'll have to check this but he was a Necromancer and he was apparently in touch with angels and they gave him their language. This actually all says stuff, but you'll have to forgive me because I have about 60 tattoos or more, I think. So I don't know what each of them say, but they say stuff. This one I know says "If you're freeze-framing this film, you're really weird."
Bettany goes on to explain that when Michael decides to break with the other angels and sides with humanity against God, he loses his wings, his powers, and his ... dog collar?
I forgo all of my supernatural powers when get rid of my wings. I think they're referred to as the Dogs of Heaven and he also has, I guess, a collar around his neck that comes off as well.
At least he does manage to retain some kick-ass fighting prowess, which comes in pretty handy when God unleashes all the legions of heaven against him and the humans he is desperately trying to protect.