The Zack Snyder and Warner Bros. saga that unfolded in 2017 is a complex and highly publicized story centered on the production of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film Justice League. Snyder had left the Justice League project in 2017 after a personal tragedy and Joss Whedon was brought in to finish the film.
Whedon made significant changes to Snyder’s vision, and the theatrical cut was ultimately seen as a disappointment. Zack Snyder’s version of Justice League, known as Zack Snyder’s Justice League or the Snyder Cut, was released in March 2021. In an interview with the New York Times, Snyder stated that he saw no point in bringing Whedon.
The Whole Circumstance Was Pointless, Says Zack Snyder
To complete Justice League in Snyder’s absence, Warner Bros. brought in Joss Whedon, known for directing the first two Avengers films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Whedon was tasked with reshoots and rewrites to change the tone and direction of the film.
The extensive reshoots and changes led to controversy and divided opinions among fans. Many were unhappy with the tonal shift and changes made to the characters.
In an interview with the New York Times, Zack Snyder said that all those were pointless. He said:
“It was a bit of a red flag. They were like, We think punching up the humor and doing some more fun stuff will be great. I was like, Hmm, I’m happy to shoot a scene if you guys have a good idea. We kicked around a bunch of different writers and they had come in with Joss.”
He continued:
“He’s a talented writer, no two ways about it. But I really didn’t see the point. And then when I was like, I’m done, I can’t do this, I feel like they were volunteering Joss as the de facto finisher.”
Zack Snyder’s Justice League or The Snyder Cut was a four-hour-long epic that significantly differed from the theatrical release in terms of story, characters, and tone.
Warner Bros. Executives “regret” Releasing Zack Snyder Cut of Justice League
Warner Bros. executives reportedly regret releasing the Snyder Cut. According to Variety, the studio feels that “Zack Snyder’s Justice League never should’ve happened.”
The report goes on to say,
“Rather than quiet the unceasing online campaigning to #ReleasetheSnyderCut, the four-hour HBO Max feature only further entrenched the vocal and extremely online ‘Snyderverse’ fanbase in opposition to the leadership at the studio in general and at DC in particular.”
It’s explained,
“That group may be hard to win over, but DC has to do a better job of cultivating the kind of compelling franchises that will enable them to build up the kind of passionate, engaged and excited fanbase that can drown out the haters. That takes patience, which has often been in short supply at DC where corporate overlords have long made it clear that they want their own in-house rival to the MCU, but have failed to understand the kind of blood, sweat, and tears it can take to build that kind of juggernaut.”
Seems clear that Warner Bros. feels the decision to release the controversial director’s cut was a mistake.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is available to watch on HBO Max.
