Zack Snyder built this gritty realistic superhero world for his version of DCEU. Starting with Man of Steel in 2013, the Watchmen director helmed three successful movies while planning several other dropped projects. One common criticism he received for Batman v Superman was that he did not properly flesh out solo superhero stories before going for an ensemble film. However, Snyder clarified why he chose to do the team-up film.
Snyder’s Batman v. Superman was largely panned by the critics. Despite receiving a dream opening at the box office, the film saw a historical drop in its second week. However, the film’s quality is still debated among fans, with Snyder cultists absolutely loving the film.
Zack Snyder Explains Why He Did Batman v. Superman Before Man of Steel 2
Many DC fans believe that Zack Snyder should’ve been given the chance to flesh out more individual superhero stories before ensemble films. Out of the three films he helmed in the DCEU, only one was a superhero origin story. Interestingly, Snyder planned to do another Superman film but ended up doing Batman v. Superman.
Snyder’s second film introduced Batman into the mix without a proper origin story for the character. The Rebel Moon director appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, and host Josh Horowitz had the same question about why he chose to do the ensemble instead of Man of Steel 2.
Snyder explained that he had left clues about Bruce Wayne’s existence in the same universe as Clark Kent. Man of Steel scenes contained the Wayne Enterprises logo on a satellite, and there were also clues about Lex Corp. Once these clues were introduced, Snyder shared that it was really difficult to hold off on these popular characters.
The Army of the Dead director also wanted to explore the contrasting characters of Superman and Batman in the film. He added that Batman v. Superman was one of those films where the extended version was a million times better than the theatrically released film. Snyder shared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast:
“We put the Wayne Enterprises logo on that satellite right, and we knew Lex Corp existed. It was really on our minds, and I just like having Batman. I’ve said this famously that like once we said that Batman exists in that universe, it’s really hard to hold him off. Because he really is in a lot of ways the opposite of Superman. Again, that’s a perfect example of a movie that’s the extended version is a million times better than the [theatrical movie].”
It was not only Snyder’s film that critics found issues with. They also hated the casting of Ben Affleck as Batman in the film. However, Snyder vehemently defended Affleck, even claiming that he was a better choice than Christian Bale.
Zack Snyder Defends Casting Ben Affleck As DCEU’s Batman
Zack Snyder loved the casting of Ben Affleck as Batman, especially due to his towering physicality. Affleck was 6’4″, which made him a “legit big dude,” according to Snyder. Snyder told Joe Rogan on the latter’s podcast that when the Gone Girl actor wore the two-inch Batsuit boots, he was literally a 6’6″ scary-looking thing.
Affleck also trained hard for the role and bulked up. In addition, he wore a muscle suit under his Batsuit. Snyder also noted that Affleck’s chin perfectly stood out in the cowl. Zack Snyder shared on The Joe Rogan Experience:
“Affleck’s 6’4″, you know? He’s a legit big dude. And the shoes, the boots are like two inches, so he’s literally almost 6’6″ in the costume. When he comes out in the costume – I mean, we put some muscle on him, and there’s a muscle suit under the suit, and he’s, legitimately, a scary-looking thing. You know, he’s just standing there, and you’re like, ‘Holy sh*t.’ Like, dude… the chin is so insane, in that cowl. I mean, look at him… he’s legitimately… that’s Batman to me.”
Snyder’s support for big actors to play the role is a sentiment shared by many DC fans. These fans are now rooting for Alan Ritchson, the hulking Reacher star, to play Batman in James Gunn‘s new DCU. Batman v Superman and other DCEU films are now available for streaming on Max and Netflix.
