Off the top of my head, I cannot think of a single film, definitely not of the comic book genre, where the effort tanked at the box office, was generally panned by critics and fans alike, not only get a re-release, but a completely new version. But that is the case with Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Last week, after two and a half years of a pressure from passionate fans, Warner Bros, under new leadership, finally caved in and agreed to release the director’s original vision on its new streaming platform HBO Max in 2021. The studio will also give Snyder an additional $20-30 million for additional CGI and ADR work.
The troubled production – from Snyder being forced to leave after the tragic loss of his daughter Autumn – to Avenger’s director Joss Whedon reshooting 80% of the film to Henry Cavill’s “mustache-gate” has been well-documented. Especially here.
To say fans were elated by the news would be a gross understatement. All one would have to do is look at multiple Instagram posts of Snyder fans tossing their DVD copies of the theatrical version of Justice League to understand how they really feel about the decision.
Most of the Justice League cast have taken to social to show their support for Zack Snyder’s Justice League following Wednesday’s massive announcement.
Ben Affleck, who played Batman in Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League and briefly in Suicide Squad, weighed in with a lengthy, heartfelt response to the news on Kevin Smith’s Instagram.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it on there live, but I’m very excited that Zack’s getting a chance to finally see his vision realized,“ Affleck said in the video. “I think it’s a great thing, I’m really excited for the fans to get to see it. I want to say thank you to the fans, because is was their enthusiasm and their passion that made this happen. Without the fan support, I don’t think it would’ve happened. But I love Zack, I love his version of the movie, and I look forward to everyone getting a chance to see it.”
Superman and Aquaman, Henry Cavill and Jason Momoa respectively, also took to Instagram to celebrate Snyder’s news.
“Now, I know there have been two camps over the whole Snyder Cut thing and whether it will ever happen for a while,” Cavill wrote. “Just remember, we all get to have more Justice League now, it’s a win win.”
ALSO READ: Watch Zack Snyder announce ‘Justice League’
Meanwhile, Momoa was so stoked he misspelled “you’re welcome.” “WE WANT finally it’s happening. your welcome. justice served. all my aloha to everyone who made this happen. all the fans. we love you. ALOHA J”
Ray Fisher, who plays Cyborg, voiced expressed his thanks and gratitude to the fans. “For those who fought. For those who believed. Thank you.”
Ray Porter may not be a household name, but he plays a pivotal role in Justice League – that of Darkseid, the despot who rules the hellish planet Apokolips. Joss Whedon completely cut the villain from the theatrical version, focusing on Steppenwolf.
And finally another victim of a massive recutting job, director David Ayer, tweeted his happiness for Snyder.
Affleck, Cavill, Momoa, Gadot, and everyone else will have to wait awhile; “the Snyder Cut” won’t be ready for the service until 2021. But when it drops there will be almost twice as much of it as there was in 2017, with a running time approaching four hours.
We could possibly also see the project as a limited 6-hour series.
Can. Not. Wait.
The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
