On March 18, 2021, the world witnessed what was considered by naysayers as a myth, a film that does not exist. Now that film is available to stream and to be held in physical form by its beloved fans.
That global phenomenon of a film is “Zack Snyder’s Justice League.” As much praise and love the movie has gotten, Warner Bros has done nothing but deny its success and alienate their fanbase. Though the future looks a bit brighter with Discovery acquiring the rights, fans still have their voices spread throughout social media with the hashtags #RestoreTheSnyderVerse, #ReleaseTheAyerCut, #MakeTheBatfleckMovie, and so on. The Snyder Cut ended with an epilogue that shows more room for Zack’s vision for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) to pave its way, and with how successful his cut is, he deserves to finish paving the road.
When “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” had a poor critical reception from critics and fans when it was released in March of 2016, Warner Bros made the move to alter David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” film. Including a new script written by Geoff Johns, and reshoots took place making the film have a lighter and comedic tone.
Though these changes were not as big as the 2017 film (dubbed as “Josstice League” by fans), it still was not the film David Ayer intended it to be. Some of Ayer’s ideas such as Enchantress and Joker teaming up, Steppenwolf summoned by Enchantress explaining how got he got to Earth prior to “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” more of an abusive relationship between Harley Quinn and Joker, a Deadshot and Harley romance, Diablo surviving, more screen time for other characters, and much more were cut out by the studio.
Releasing Ayer’s cut of “Suicide Squad “is a no-brainer with the success of the Snyder Cut, so this would be a first step to restoring the SnyderVerse. The SnyderVerse is not just about Zack Snyder, it is about letting directors like David Ayer align vision for the DC universe.
“There’s a war coming and I’m here to help”, a line said from the Martian Manhunter at the end of “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” alluding to Darkseid preparing for his entrance ahead of knowledge that the Anti-Life Equation is on Earth. Our heroes come to the Kryptonian ship to resurrect Superman, and while Cyborg was hooked to the ship’s system, he saw visions of the future of Darkseid taking over Earth and foresaw the deaths of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Clark’s whole world, Lois Lane.
Witnessing her death, Superman is more susceptible to the Anti-Life effect and becomes Darkseid’s super-soldier. In the Knightmare sequence in “Batman v Superman”, Superman says “She was my world and you took her from me.” Superman said this to Batman as he was brainwashed by the Anti-Life Equation to blame him for Lois’ death. In the Knightmare timeline, Bruce depends on Barry to go back in time to stop Lois’ death, referring back to “Batman v Superman” when he tells Bruce that Lois Lane is the key in the dream he had, or what he thinks was a dream.
In the aftermath of Flash’s intervention, Bruce took the hit of Darkseid’s Omega-beams to sacrifice himself for Lois and the whole universe. His sacrifice would lead into a “Lord of the Rings”-esque battle uniting Lanterns, Atlanians, Amazons, and humanity to fight off against the hoard of Apokolips ships and the Apokoliptian army. All this is found from the Justice League 2 and 3 storyboards, leaked and found in the Snyder Cut exhibit, which was held at the AT&T Discovery District of Dallas, Texas. “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” is the “Fellowship of the Ring “of this trilogy and deserves to have its “Two Towers “and resolution with “The Return of the King.”
Starting off the DCEU with “Man of Steel” back in 2013, Superman was introduced to the world with the Kryptonian invasion that General Zod brought upon Earth. The costs were mass destruction and deaths of innocents in Metropolis. “Batman v Superman “showed the critical response of how Superman handled the situation. Some fear and question him, but others see him as a symbol of hope like his family crest.
Through “Man of Steel” to “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” he has evolved into a more confident and experienced hero. Batman went from working alone and acting on cynicism to uniting a league and having a sense of faith. Wonder Woman becomes more open to man’s world, Aquaman finds his worth as king, the Flash acts to make his father proud. The one that carries the heart of the league, is Cyborg, who is half man, half machine, and all heart.
He goes from seeing himself as broken and alone to feeling more complete and loved by his colleagues. All of these characters are beyond deserving of a continuation of their story arcs. Having a “Man of Steel “sequel, a Batfleck movie or HBO Max series, a Cyborg film, and so many more projects to add on to the SnyderVerse, would be absolute glee and satisfaction to fans alike.
Anybody that enjoyed this film and the other two films prior would consider it a foregone conclusions that the sequels would be greenlit by the studio. That was not the case with the Warner Bros. Studio. They have plans for their DC films focusing on the multiverse. Why is the SnyderVerse not included in that multiverse?
From the information that has come from Ray Fisher’s and the studio’s conflict, it is no secret that Warner Bros. has a petty and immature grudge for Zack Snyder and his fanbase. So it should be fair that they would welcome Snyder back and finish what he had planned for the DCEU. With the Discovery merger seeping its way into the studio and Netflix keeping Zack Snyder busy, he will surely be welcomed by DC and the family of a loving and loyal community. As Jor-El prophesied, “In time, you will help them accomplish wonders.” The fans did accomplish those wonders and will do it again by helping to restore the SnyderVerse.
