Zack Snyder’s DCEU was going to be very different from most other iterations of the superhero universe would have been. However, there were some interesting plot points in the franchise that would have elevated certain characters beyond their comic-book capabilities, and Snyder shared a glimpse of what they could have been.
Speaking to GQ, the director talked about his vision for the DCEU, with all the storylines that could have been a part of the universe, from the death of Lois Lane to the death of Batman, and even the last stand against Darkseid and his minions. Snyder also revealed what the catalyst for Lois Lane’s death would be, and the answer is related to a villain very far removed from the Man of Steel. He belongs to a different hero’s rogues gallery.
The Riddler would be the key to controlling Superman
Superman’s subjugation would be the key turning point for the franchise, the architect of which would be three key antagonists from the DC Universe: Lex Luthor being the first, discovering the Anti-Life Equation, and Darkseid being the second, using the equation to get Superman to submit to his will. The third villain, who would be instrumental in taking down the Man of Steel, comes to us from Batman’s rogues gallery, specifically: The Riddler.
The Riddler would be instrumental in taking down Superman, Zack Snyder told GQ, in that the character would be responsible for solving the Anti-Life Equation before Lex hands it to Darkseid with the key to subjugating Superman: the death of Loise Lane. The filmmaker said:
“Basically, Darkseid comes to Earth. Lex Luthor has found the Anti-Life Equation. He has teamed up with The Riddler, who has deciphered the anti-life equation, and Batman on their trail. The Riddler tells him, “I thought it was a riddle, but it turns out to be the end of the world.” But Lex gives the anti-life equation to Darkseid upon his arrival, along with the information that “if you kill Lois Lane”—now pregnant— “You will be able to control Superman, and he will succumb to the Anti-Life Equation.”
This would have directly led to the Knightmare version of the DCEU, where Batman’s group of Rebels (complete with Joker, Deathstroke and Mera) would work to send Barry back in time, to allow Batman to have an upper hand against Darkseid.
Also Read: Wonder Woman 2, Suicide Squad and More: 5 Lowest Grossing Superhero Movies in Zack Snyder’s DCEU
Zack Snyder’s Original DCEU could have had a Wonder Woman with Kryptonian blood
Zack Snyder’s DCEU had some wacky ideas about various aspects of the DC Universe. From a Mettalo that was straight out of a horror film, to Clark Kent’s son taking up the mantle of Batman, there was a lot of overlap between the microcosms of the wider DC Universe, melding together to create one, cohesive and epic story. On a panel titled Full Circle, the director and architect of the DCEU revealed that there were talks to pitch Zeus and Ares as Kryptonians, rather than magical gods distinct from the science fiction elements of The Flash, Cyborg and Aquaman.
🤯 Zack said Zeus was gonna be a Kryptonian & Ares was the one that crashed the scout ship 🤯 pic.twitter.com/de8VquSWlo
— Siccness™️ (@Siccness4) April 30, 2023
Not only would this have rooted the DC Universe strictly in science fiction, but it would also have changed how we view the characters. Not to mention, it would have been interesting to see how Zeus’s lighting powers (and therefore Diana’s affinity for it) would be explained. Perhaps it had to do something with the Speed Force, given that we saw the god of thunder wield lightning with his bare hands? Alas, we will never know.
