If there is one DC Extended Universe movie with a more dedicated fanbase compared to the rest, it is Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Having cast the most beloved characters—Henry Cavill as Superman and Ben Affleck as Batman—in his film, Snyder had a brilliant idea for the franchise that would have made it one of the greatest ever.
Snyder had lofty goals for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which were sadly thwarted. From the very beginning, the director had the ideal plot for Justice League. One of the most anticipated storylines that fans were looking forward to was seeing Henry Cavill’s Superman face off against the ruthless villain Darkseid, but it seems that those dreams have been dashed.
In an interview with GQ, the filmmaker discussed his vision for the DCEU, including that possible storyline which could have led to the canceled fight between Darkseid and Superman.
Henry Cavill’s Superman vs. Darkseid Showdown That Never Was
The fight with Darkseid was one of the most anticipated scenes of DCEU Superman that would never take place. First appearing in Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen comic, Darkseid is a rival to both Superman and Justice League. Zack Snyder’s Justice League films were going to feature a showdown between Darkseid and the Justice League.
Well, in the Justice League finale, there was a hint about Darkseid’s arrival on Earth. However, Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman was never made to face off against one of his greatest enemies.
In a recent GQ interview, Snyder outlined the course of events that would have ensued:
“The idea to kill Superman was because I needed to resurrect him. I needed him to sacrifice one more thing for humanity. And that was himself, you know… It was like the stakes got higher. And I think in that death and resurrection he almost goes into the full circle to like being kind of what I would consider as the purest form of Superman…His battle with Darkseid was going to be the quintessential DC battle of all time.”
However, due to a variety of factors, the director’s plans for the DCEU were cut short. As he further recalled:
“At his peak, he was going to have to succumb to the anti-Life, be destroyed, turn the clock back, and then get his chance for the battle against Darksied that will have sort of finished his trilogy of [like] becoming the guardian of the planet. And sort of return to humanity. That was our hope.”
Fans of the DCEU will understandably be upset by this news, as the prospect of seeing Superman face off against Darkseid was one of the most exciting aspects of Snyder’s vision.
Darkseid Actor Ray Porter’s Potential Comeback
The actor who portrayed Darkseid in the DCEU, Ray Porter, earlier expressed his desire to return to the character. Zack Snyder’s Justice League featured Porter as Darkseid. He was presented as the ruler of Apokolips, determined to eradicate free will and subjugate every sentient life in the multiverse. However, since Peter Safran and James Gunn assumed control and rebranded the DCU, none of the co-CEOs have mentioned his return.
Porter discussed his love for Snyder and how much he enjoys being a part of the DCEU in an interview with the Greek House Show. The actor claimed to be a true admirer of Snyder’s films, specifically Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Army of the Dead.
When the interviewer asked, Porter cracked jokes and took the chance to say that he would like to play Darkseid once again in Gunn and Safran’s DC Universe. The actor said:
“Call me!”
The Snyder Cut (Zack Snyder’s Justice League) masterfully hinted at Darkseid as a potential threat. Darkseid was an ominous presence that suited the somber tone and atmosphere of the DCEU, even though he was not the primary antagonist of the movie.
You can rent Zack Snyder’s Justice League on Apple TV.
