When Marvel Studios chose to use a series of films to build-up to the release of The Avenger’s, it led to movie-goers getting to know the entire cast before they would be seen fighting alongside one another, a move that paid off as it became one of the highest-grossing pictures of all time. The formula had continued to work out for the studio, leading to a cavalcade of successful films one after another. Warner Brothers, however, chose to start production on The Justice League after only releasing movies starring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, with a tease of the remaining members in Batman V. Superman, a critically panned release with a small but loyal band of followers.
When The Justice League movie dropped in theatres in late 2017, it introduced us to Aquaman, The Flash, and Cyborg, characters that had yet to be seen in their own respected movies. While the Justice League movie didn’t damage the DC film universe, it did eventually lead to the DCEU being dismantled, with a seperate universe Batman being placed into production and constant film troubles with the Flash getting his own movie. It’s also unlikely that we’ll see another Justice League movie given the studio’s new direction and disinterest in team-up films.
Now, that said, the film in question had a very interesting production as Zack Snyder, the film’s director, left to deal with a family emergency, giving way to the studio hiring The Avenger’s own Joss Whedon to punch up the script, re-shoot several scenes, and address issues they had with Snyder’s vision. This eventually led to the talk of a “Snyder-cut” existing; an untouched version of the film that was allegedly complete and ready for release, often teased by Zack Snyder himself.
#ReleasetheSnyderCut became an internet campaign like no other, with even actors from the film vesting an interest in whatever that cut would be. While years have come and gone since the movie was released, it was during a Man of Steel watch-a-long that Zack Snyder confirmed that a Snyder cut will be released on HBO Max in 2021, as either a 4-hour cut of the movie or split into an episodic television series. Zack Snyder then followed up with commenting:
"I want to thank HBO Max and Warner Brothers for this brave gesture of supporting artists and allowing their true visions to be realized. Also a special thank you to all of those involved in the SnyderCut movement for making this a reality,”
Zack Snyder and his production company are currently bringing back much of the crew to score, cut, and address several unfinished visual effects, as well as having the original cast, possibly including Ben Affleck suiting up again as Batman, to finish the film, something that was already to have been assumed completed before this announcement. This begs the question of the Snyder Cut was actually finished or completed just enough for Snyder to convince the world it was still able to be realized.
The Snyder Cut has been one of the biggest pop culture movements in history, sparking an outcry for WB to release the cut, as fans felt largely indifferent about the theatrical release, as it felt disjointed due to the involvement of a very different voice in Joss Whedon. Fans have wanted the darker and more gritty version that Snyder has been hinting at, given the seeds of Darkseid being planted as far back as Batman V. Superman, and the cut footage of Superman wearing his iconic Black outfit.
At this point, it’s unclear if the movie even needs to be good, but for Zack Snyder’s sake, it certainly better worth all the talk.