As we approach the end of DCEU with the release of its 15th and final installment, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, it’s fair to say Warner Bros. has simply failed to replicate the success of Disney’s MCU in the comic book movie genre.
The last DCEU movie to garner significant positive reviews was Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021. Since then every movie in the franchise, including the high-profile The Flash, has bombed at the box office. Further, it seems the way the Ezra Miller-led movie was approached has also left a bitter impression on one of its stars, Kiersey Clemons, who’s now uncertain about returning to the CBM genre.
How Zack Snyder’s Exit Made Things Worse for The Flash Actor Kiersey Clemons
Zack Snyder kick-started DCEU with Man of Steel and went on to direct two more DCEU movies, including Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which featured Kiersey Clemons as Iris West.
Snyder was expected to be heavily involved in the culmination phase of the franchise and had a very different vision than what we are seeing now. His idea was supposedly more in line with DC Comics Flashpoint storyline, which would’ve seen The Flash as a series of movies with Zoom as the villain. However, due to personal tragedy, Snyder couldn’t continue what he started.
This also left Clemons feeling unsatisfied with her role in the franchise. Firstly, her scenes in the initial Justice League were cut from the theatrical edition. Then she had to deal with rumors of getting recast in The Flash, which also failed to justly utilize her talents, leaving the 29-year-old on the sidelines for the most part of the film. Speaking to Nylon, she said:
“I was freaked out because at one point, there were rumors going around online that I was getting recast, which is humiliating. It was more embarrassing and hurtful than getting cut out of Justice League, which I was able to understand more than the rumors of being recast. They had to cut the movie down; that’s how it goes. With The Flash, I was so young and was so excited, and the director that I was supposed to be on with was gone. And so, I felt dismissed and replaceable.”
She added: “Now I can finally say and admit this whole thing made me cry more than it made me smile. I think I only smiled over this thing at the premiere.”
Clemons told ClutchPoints that she wouldn’t rule out trying her hand in the comic book genre again, but it would take a very tempting script for her to consider such an option.
Why Zack Snyder Is Struggling to Make Comic Book Inspired 300 Sequel
DCEU isn’t Snyder’s only stint influenced by comic books. The acclaimed director also brought Frank Miller’s graphic novel 300 to the big screen to great effect. The Gerard Butler starrer was based on the ancient battle between King Leonidas and 300 Spartans and Xerxes and his massive Persian army.
The success of 300 inspired Snyder to make its sequel, titled Blood and Ashes. However, the story that would’ve focused on the relationship between Alexander the Great and his second in command, Hephaestion was never picked up by Warner Bros., leading to the filmmaker acquiring the rights back from the studio.
“We got the rights back so we can make if we want it,” Snyder told The Hollywood Reporter. “I don’t know what the marketplace is for an incredibly homoerotic, super violent, super se-ual movie. But maybe it’s perfect.”
Snyder will have to now pitch Blood and Ashes to another studio. However, how receptive they are to this bold approach from the filmmaker might depend on the performance of his Netflix action fantasy Rebel Moon, which provides Snyder the perfect opportunity to show that he’s still got it.
