The “Snyder Cut” is finally happening and it’s officially going to be rated R “for violence and some language”. The upcoming, highly-anticipated, Zack Snyder approved cut ofJustice Leagueis finally coming to fruition this March after a long and contentious process.
Based on Snyder’s previous work, this should come as no surprise. The director is known for his “dark and gritty” film adaptations of famed graphic novels such as300andWatchmen. He even put out an R-rated version ofBatman V Superman, which featured extended violent scenes and additional blood and gore. Snyder’s take on the famed DC superheroes has come with its fair share of criticisms.Batman V Supermanwas mocked by many critics and filmgoers for being relentlessly bleak and overly serious.
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Criticism aside, the director has developed an extremely devoted following. Fans of Snyder have been pushing for Warner Bros. to release the long-rumored “ Snyder Cut” for years.Snyder initially had to step awayfrom 2017’sJustice Leaguedue to the sudden and tragic death of a family member. After which,Avengersdirector andBuffy the Vampire Slayercreator Joss Whedon was hired by Warner Bros to finish the project.Justice Leaguewas released to scathing reviews from critics and fans alike, with some calling it a “Frankenstein movie,” the result of a clearly incomplete and hastily edited film mashed together by two very different directors. Many fans thought Whedon and co. had tried too hard to turn Snyder’s vision into another Marvel movie.
Not long after the film’s initial release, rumors started circulating online that there was a Zack Snyder version of the film that Warner Bros had buried in its vault. The hashtag “#ReleaseTheSnyderCut” began trending on Twitter as fans expressed their keen desire (in some cases very intensely) for a re-release of the film that was more faithful to Snyder’s vision. The online grassroots “movement” gained further validity and notoriety whenJustice Leagueactors Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, and Ray Fisher chimed in with their support.
Justice Leaguegarnered further controversy when, in July of last year, actor Ray Fisher, who playsJustice Leaguemember Cyborg, accused Joss Whedon of “gross, abusive, unprofessional” behavior on set. These accusations sparkedan internal investigation by WarnerMediawhich concluded in December of 2020. WarnerMedia has claimed that “remedial action“ was taken as a result of the investigation, but in what form remains unclear. Whedon also left his upcoming HBO projectThe Neversaround this time, but whether or not this has to do with the investigation is uncertain. In January it was reported that Cyborg wasbeing cut from the upcoming Flash movie, in which Fisher claims he was supposed to have an “integral” role.
Although Warner Bros is now releasing Zack Snyder’s version ofJustice League, it’s become a contentious topic of debate online as to whether this is really a “Snyder Cut’ or an entirely new film. Warner Bros has poured a lot of money into extensive reshoots, script rewrites, and other changes, with Snyder reportedly removing just about everything Whedon added to the film. The film will also now be double its original length, with a confirmed runtime ofapproximately four hours. Either way, Zack SnydersJustice Leagueis gearing up to be one of the more interesting and anticipated movie releases in 2021.
Justice Leagueis set to premiere on HBO Max on March 18th, 2021.
