Calls to “restore the Snyderverse” have emerged, so why isn’t Warner Bros. continuing the DCEU with Zack Snyder? Let’s get the situation explained.
Arguably few filmmakers are as divisive as Zack Snyder.
The 55-year-old’s hyper-stylised approach to storytelling has been criticised throughout his career, with some detractors dismissing his work as being all style over substance. On the other hand, he perhaps boasts a more passionate following than few of his contemporaries.
His work within the superhero genre and the DCEU – Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – continue to earn praise and opposition, but the Justice League reception can be considered somewhat unique.
In the wake of a personal family tragedy, Zack departed the project and Joss Whedon was called in to finish it. The two-hour theatrical cut was blasted by many fans, with it subsequently being branded the “Josstice League”.
Zack’s fans cried out for the “Snyder Cut” and after much campaigning and determination it arrived in March 2021 on HBO Max.
Since then, there have been calls to “restore the Snyderverse” on social media, bringing back Zack to the DCEU…
“Restore the Snyderverse”: Warner Bros. response explained
Warner Bros. executive Ann Sarnoff has addressed the future for Zack and the DCEU while in conversation with Variety:
“I appreciate that they love Zack’s work and we are very thankful for his many contributions to DC. We’re just so happy that he could bring his cut of the Justice League to life because that wasn’t in the plan until about a year ago. With that comes the completion of his trilogy.”
She added: “We’re very happy we’ve done this, but we’re very excited about the plans we have for all the multi-dimensional DC characters that are being developed right now.”
Essentially, this has confirmed that Zack Snyder’s Justice League is simply the concluding chapter in a trilogy. So, although the film’s epilogue establishes the potential for more instalments, Warner Bros. has dismissed calls to “restore the Snydercut” while clarifying that plans for DC characters are already in the pipeline.
Although this is likely to upset the director’s fans, it’s worth addressing that Zack recently said in an interview [as highlighted by ScreenRant]: “I’m pretty happy with just kind of working… but I don’t really have like a burning desire to make another comic book movie, I’ll say.”
Taking Zack’s own thoughts on the situation into consideration, it would appear that calls to “restore the Snyderverse” aren’t as likely to meet the same success as the #releasethesnydercut movement.
Nevertheless, that won’t dishearten everybody…
Zack Snyder fans call to “restore the Snyderverse”
In response to Zack Snyder’s Justice League, many fans have been won over by the promise of more narrative to explore.
The #restorethesnyderverse hashtag has gained serious momentum over on Twitter and it’s clear that legions of fans refuse to believe that the Snyder Cut will remain the definitive conclusion of Zack’s vision.
Check out a selection of tweets: