Flashback to 2021, and you couldn't find a bigger hater of the Snyderverse than me. Hell, I even danced on its grave when we received word that it was finally over.

However, flash-forward (DC pun not intended) to 2026, and I've actually come around on the failed DCEU. Maybe it's because I wasn't in love with James Gunn's Superman, or perhaps it’s because I have no interest whatsoever in Supergirl (and apparently, I'm not alone), but I've been giving Zack Snyder's DC movies another chance recently, and oh, man. I think I owe Zack Snyder yet ANOTHER apology.

You see, I already apologized for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and after rewatching the four hour long Zack Snyder's Justice League, I have to apologize again, because this movie is amazing. Here's why.

I Originally Thought This Movie Was Way Too Long. But Now, It Feels Just Right When It Comes To Pacing

You want to know what's crazy? Not too long ago, I rewatched Joss Whedon's version of Justice League, which is only two hours long, and it's so bad that it actually feels LONGER than Snyder's version, which is literally double the runtime. I think this is because Whedon's Justice League feels aimless and dull, whereas Snyder's version has direction and vision. And look, no offense to Whedon, as he was given the impossible task of reshooting aspects of Snyder's movie into something feasible for the big screen, but his version just does not work.

However, after rewatching Zack Snyder's Justice League, I am in awe at how he was able to take all of these characters and still have it all make sense. For example, in his version, Batman and Wonder Woman's quest to assemble a team really feels cohesive and organic, whereas in Whedon’s version, it all feels like a hurried mess, which is strange because it also feels plodding.

We get more backstory for all of the characters in Snyder’s version, as well as a true villain in Darkseid, who I'll get into later. Snyder's version is also (surprise, surprise) way darker in tone than Whedon's version, which is also something I now appreciate over the more upbeat Superman from James Gunn.

Honestly, it's really weird that all of the things that I once hated about the Snyderverse – the overseriousness, the darker tone, etc – I now view as pluses. However, I think there's one reason in particular why I love this movie now.

Cyborg's Story Is The Heart Of This Movie

One character who I always thought never got his time to shine when it came to the Snyderverse was Cyborg. Played by Ray Fisher, you could tell that he had a bigger role in Whedon's Justice League, but there was just something…missing.

In Zack Snyder's Justice League, however, almost the entire plot hinges on Cyborg’s role in the story. The fact that his role was truncated so much in Whedon’s version just goes to show you why that film felt like such a mess, because Victor Stone's (Cyborg) role is absolutely vital in Snyder's cut.

Stone's father, Silas (Joe Morton), is kidnapped, and Cyborg joins the team. He was a former athlete and had to be reconstructed after a horrible car accident, so his journey as a broken man to one of the saviors of the world is thoughtful and surprisingly heartfelt.

Also, being that Cyborg has such a connection to this film's Macguffin in the Mother Boxes, he’s essentially the most important character in the entire film, and I really appreciate that when watching this a second time.

I Also Find All Of The Characters-Even The Flash-To Be Interesting In This Film

You know, when I first saw Zack Snyder's Justice League, I still very much loathed all of the scenes involving Ezra Miller's The Flash. Upon a second viewing, I find that I actually like him, as well as pretty much every other member of the Justice League this time around. It might be because I, like others, actually enjoyed the eventual Flash movie that came out in 2023 (I even wrote about how it annoyed me that it didn't do better at the box office).

The Flash is incredibly important in this film. When the world starts to be destroyed, The Flash has to reverse the flow of time using the Speed Force, which allows Superman (Henry Cavill) and Cyborg to get the job done.

And, what about Aquaman? I liked Jason Momoa's first Aquaman movie - to a certain extent - but I found him super annoying in Justice League. However, I guess adding more screen time for him makes him more interesting this time around. I also think that learning more about the other metahumans and the Atlanteans makes him feel more at home here.

Not only that, but this movie has freaking Martian Manhunter (Harry Lennix) in it. I mean, it's at the end, and it's pretty much just a cameo, but at least he's here. What's not to love?

I Also Love This Version Of Darkseid

I know I keep harping on Joss Whedon's Justice League, but a big reason why I feel that movie failed was that its main antagonist, Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds), was super lame. It's just that he didn't seem like a worthy opponent for the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, or The Flash.

In Zack Snyder's Justice League…well, he's still pretty lame, but much better since you don't feel like he's the REAL final boss. The main boss would be Ray Porter's Darkseid, who is a way more terrifying villain and an existential threat to humanity.

Darkseid is all about that Anti-Life Equation, and we learn that he's been a threat to Earth for millennia, what with the Old Gods waging war against him to prevent him from taking over the planet. All of this backstory really elevates the danger he presents, making him feel like a truly worthy adversary.

Unfortunately, since this was pretty much the end of the DCEU, we never got to see Darkseid get his own movie where he got to be the central villain, but I really appreciate what we got in this movie. He’s absolutely horrifying.

In The End, The Further We Get Away From The Snyderverse, The More I Find That I Miss It

When looking at the upcoming slate of DC films (and TV–let's not forget about TV), I think there's a lot to look forward to (Especially when it comes to Clayface, which I can't wait for!) Yet…I kind of now miss the Snyderverse.

I don't know what it is. It might be because I used to pledge allegiance to the MCU, and I think I viewed the DCEU as a pathetic alternative. After getting off the Marvel hype train quite a while ago, I've since been reevaluating the Snyderverse, and I think I had it all wrong.

Was it too dark and broody? Maybe, but upon reflection, it was actually a novel alternative to the overly cheery MCU. I now find that I get nothing out of movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Guardians of the Galaxy upon a rewatch, and I view them more as artifacts than anything else.

Movies like Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Batman v. Superman? They just seem to get better with age. So, if you happen to be reading this, Mr. Snyder. I’m sorry! Your fans were right all along, and I’m happy that the powers that be eventually RELEASED THE SNYDER CUT!

It might not come as a surprise to you that some internet denizens are not exactly overjoyed with the idea of a remake of the 1981 John Carpenter classic Escape From New York. It's the latest attempt to remake the classic sci-fi flick, this time with Zack Snyder on board to direct.

I get it. I love the movie, too, and I understand why people don’t see any reason for this classic starring Kurt Russell (maybe his best collab with Carpenter) ever to be remade. Still, if I’m honest, some of the reactions are pretty over the top. Here are a few comments I’ve found in the days since the remake was first announced.

The Director Is Taking Some Heat

Zack Snyder is a polarizing director. Some love his work and have gone so far as to put forth a massive campaign that lasted for years to release “The Snyder Cut” of Justice League. That worked, and his fans love it. Others are, let’s just say, less enthusiastic about the director taking a swing at Escape from New York. Redditor r/JWitjes commented:

Another Redditor, appropriately named r/CancelThis2077 wrote:

Synder directing wasn't the only news that fans of the OG movie took aim at though.

Kurt Russell Can't Be Replaced As Snake Plissken

There is no question that Kurt Russell's Snake Plissken is one of the best sci-fi characters of all time. He's a man of action and few words (and even fewer working eyeballs). Many fans say he just can't be replaced by anyone in the role. X user @RealBSP3, commenting on a post by @Nerdcognito, wrote:

He wasn't alone, of course. Redditor r/Suitable_Community66 wrote:

Many critics of the idea of an Escape from New York remake simply don't like the idea of remaking classics

Why Mess Up A Classic?

Finally, the last group of people unhappy with the idea are people who love the movie and think a remake would only flop, or worse, tarnish the reputation of the original. Responding to the news on X, @jordanjabroni summed it up pretty simply:

Another post on X responding to the news had a harsh take not just on the Escape from New York remake, but on all remakes:

That was hardly the only similar thought on the idea of remaking movies:

If you don’t love the idea either, keep in mind that over the years there have been multiple attempts at remaking or rebooting Escape From New York. Robert Rodriguez was tapped to remake the movie about a decade ago, but it never came to be. Looking back through the CinemaBlend archives, there have been multiple announcements going back to the early 2010s hyping up remakes, and none have come to fruition.

Will Zack Snyder be the one to break this curse? Time will tell. We're certainly not going to see it on the 2026 movie schedule, or the 2027 schedule for that matter. In the meantime, you can rewatch the original with a Prime subscription, which is what I plan to do.

Comic book movies are everywhere, but few have had the wild life of Zack Snyder's Justice League. After the director departed Justice League due to a personal tragedy, Joss Whedon finished it and greatly altered its contents. For years fans campaigned to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut, which eventually happened back in 2021 for those with a HBO Max subscription. The director has been posting tons of DCEU throwbacks, despite DC Co-CEO James Gunn crating a new shared universe. Snyder once again posted more Justice League content on social media, although fans are split in the comment ssection.

Back in October of 2025, Zack Snyder joined Instagram and began posting DC throwbacks from his time with the studio. The latest as a gripping new poster for the Snyder Cut, and has gotten a ton of engagement. You can see the image in question below:

This image is pretty gorgeous, and inspired plenty of comments from Snyder's 861k followers on Instagram. While previous DC throwbacks exclusively featured folks begging for Warner Bros. to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse, there are also some critics to take umbrage with Zack Snyder's constant posting in the midst of the DCU's life in theaters. Some of the responses include:

• You showed superman in the form of m*rderer, not hope. The comic accurate and real superman will always be James gunn's Superman.
• Ok you need to release it!!!!! #restorethesnyderverse
• Is something happening right now? The tease is clear and more clearer now.
• Can you please get over this? Nobody is waiting for this to come back.
• We need sequels!

This is only the latest time that some folks took umbrage with Zack Snyder's DC throwbacks. The director has droves of loyal fans who would still like to see his two planned Justice League sequels come together, but there are also moviegoers who think it's rude or tired for the same conversation to still be happening... especially since we've got a new Man of Steel in David Corenswet's Superman.

While there are some folks who are still holding out hope for the studio to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse, that seems like a bit of a pipe dream at this point. After all, the DCEU is in the rear view, with James Gunn bringing us the first slate of DCU projects titled Gods and Monsters.

Both versions of Justice League are streaming on HBO Max and the next upcoming DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

The superhero genre is showing no signs of slowing down, and the DC side of things have been going through major changes thanks to co-CEO James Gunn's new shared universe. While fans are looking forward to upcoming DC movies like Man of Tomorrow, Zack Snyder has been posting throwbacks from the DCEU, including lots of photos of Henry Cavill's Superman. The filmmaker recently put up another one, but some fans aren't happy in the comments.

Moviegoers who watched the DC movies in order saw as the former DCEU ended after Aquaman 2, making room for the newly formed DCU. We've been treated to a handful of projects from the DCU's first phase Gods and Monsters, but that hasn't stopped Snyder from looking back at his time directing for the studio. Case in point:

This a striking image of Henry Cavill's Superman, with the Man of Steel bathed in red light. And while there are plenty of folks in the comments section who still want DC to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse, there are also a number of comments criticizing the director for constantly putting out content like this on social media... especially as Man of Tomorrow is filming and Supergirl is about to hit theaters. You can see some of those responses below:

• Wait, every time there’s a DCU post about superman update or a picture posted by Gunn, you make another post to stir up attention 😂😂😂😂😂that’s so weird to notice - akarthedream
• Bro's coping with his own fans, move on bruh😭✌💔🥀 - eyeditz.ae
• Honestly, this is a bit rude with the cast of the new Superman production. It's like they're being put in the middle of an irrational dispute for something that was solved a couple of years ago. - juan_arrazola.96
• omg man you need to move on - anabtriizz
• This poster explains exactly why Snyder dosent understand Superman. - jackcadams

Zack Snyder has tons of loyal fans who were able to convince Warner Bros. to release the Snyder Cut of Justice League years ago. I've been reporting on the director's DCEU throwbacks for a while now, and this one is the first I've seen with so many people criticizing him. This might be a sign that audiences are invested in the new shared universe, and David Corenswet's version of Kal-El. Although the comments asking the studio to #RestoreTheSnderVerse are also present.

It should be interesting to see if these naysayers get louder on Snyder's social media as he inevitably releases more Superman throwbacks. He's made his love for Henry Cavill very clear, but there's a new actor playing the Last Son of Kypton. And it looks like David Corenswet has his supporters as well.

Corenswet will reprise his role in Supergirl, which hits theaters on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Man of Tomorrow will then follow suit on July 9th 2027, with the actor once again takin center stage in his sequel.

Moviegoers who spent years watching the DC movies in order have watched as the former DCEU ended with Aquaman 2 (streaming with a HBO Max subscription), and co-CEO James Gunn crafted a new shared universe. But filmmaker Zack Snyder has been regularly posting throwbacks from the DCEU, with the latest includes a shirtless Henry Cavill. And fans are definitely sounding off in the comments section.

While we've gotten the first few titles from the slate of first projects titled Gods and Monsters, there are plenty of fans still looking back at the previous universe. Zack Snyder has been adding fuel to the fire by regularly posting images from the three movies he directed. Case in point: this latest photo, which appears to be a cut scene from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Check it out below:

Lois and Clark Kent were living together during Batman v Superman, and were shown being affectionate and even sharing a bath together. The above image shows the Man of Steel catching some z's without a shirt, as Amy Adams' character gently wakes him up. I guess Lois really is the key... to the hero waking up on time.

Snyder shared this image to his 728k followers on Instagram, a number that's constantly climbing as a result of his DCEU throwbacks. Folks sounded off in the comments, many of whom are still hoping he'll somehow manage to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse and produce his two planned Justice League sequels.

• My Clark and Lois ❤️❤️ - zacksnyderfans
• BRING BACK SUPERMAN - st5m3obxld
• Will we ever get this scene released publicly? - cx_pr3st01
• Restore the snyderverse. We will stop at nothing- pulidop48
• Move on Zack! - kevportilla95

Of course, the latter of these comments is telling a very different story. That commenter told Zack Snyder to "move on" from his tenure making DC blockbusters. After all, Justice League's theatrical cut was released back in 2017, while the Snyder Cut finally got its turn in 2021. Aside from reshoots for Zack Snyder's Justice League, it's been a long time since he was actually behind the camera for DC. And that commenter seems to think it's time for both Snyder and his fans to give it up.

Some folks were not happy with this sentiment, and the responses included clap backs and even some middle fingers emojis. Zack Snyder's fans have proven themselves to be super loyal, so this should be expected. Still, it's a sentiment that some moviegoers have had about the movement.

While there's been no indication that the SnyderVerse will ever be restored, smart money says the discourse is going to continue... especially with the director fanning the flames with throwbacks.

Both the DCEU and DC are streaming over on HBO Max. The next upcoming DC movie heading to theater is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

The popularity of the superhero genre is showing no signs of slowing, with a number of shared universes competing at the box office. While DC co-CEO James Gunn has been crafting a new universe, some fans who watched the DC Movies in order are still looking back at the previous DCEU (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription). Zack Snyder recently celebrated his version of Justice League hitting a streaming milestone, and fans are sounding off in the comments.

While the DCU's first slate of projects Gods and Monsters includes plenty of upcoming DC movies to look forward to, there are corners of the internet who are still hoping to see the studio #RestoreTheSnyderVerse and film the two planned Justice League sequels. Those calls just got louder as the Snyder Cut has hit #1 for the Indian streamer JioHotstar’s, with the filmmaker celebrating with the following:

Clearly the headlines revolving around Zack Snyder's Justice League aren't going to stop anytime soon. Because the movie is finding new streaming success in India, beating out other huge titles like the Harry Potter movies and Avengers: Endgame, which became the highest grossing movie of all time after its release. And the 300 filmmaker's fans are thrilled about this achievement.

After Justice League's theatrical was greatly altered, fans campaigned for years, hoping to see Warner Bros. #ReleaseTheSnyderCut. That eventually happened, with reshoots hinting at where its sequels would have gone. Zack Snyder's Justice League is still clearly killing on streaming internationally, and his post is filled with folks sharing message of support. Some responses read:

• Zack Snyder’s justice league is my favorite Bollywood movie - david.the.johnson
• Zack SNYDER the best UNIVERSE 👏👏👏- andreluiz.personal
• Trending at the top for a reason 👀 - jiohotstar
• 😂bro knows his audience - thejacobantigha
• The world will know the Zack Snyder Justice League -
• pessahpascal

Despite DC and Warner Bros. moving on with a new shared universe, Snyder's fans seem to be wholly focused on the SnyderVerse being restored. Indeed, the comments section for the majority of his Instagram posts feature those messages... especially when he posts DCEU throwbacks.

Given how many fans are still behind Zack Snyder, I'm curious if he could be convinced to do another superhero project for the DCU. This might help appease folks who want to see the SnyderVerse, while not derailing James Gunn's plans for the new shared universe. I know I'd be interested to see him play in that particular sandbox.

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Snyder, he's currently attached to four upcoming projects. So he's keeping busy, even if its not in the DCU.

The DC side of the superhero genre has been going through changes recently, courtesy of co-CEO James Gunn. A new shared universe has come with the DCU, which is releasing content in theaters and streaming with an HBO Max subscription. While we're a few titles into the first slate of projects called Gods and Monsters, there are plenty who are still looking back at the previous DCEU. Zack Snyder has been fanning those flames with some cool throwbacks, the latest of which makes Ben Affleck look absolutely huge as Batman.

Folks who watched the DC movies in order will recall how Snyder helped kickstart the DCEU, before departing after Justice League. And while audiences are looking forward to upcoming DC movies, others are still hoping that Warner Bros. relents to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse. The 300 director took to Instagram to share an epic picture of Batfleck, check it out below:

Seriously, this guy looks huge. Ben Affleck already stands at a whopping 6'4, and he put on a ton of muscle to play Bruce Wayne in Batman v Superman and Justice League. It made the character physically intimidating, especially when breaking Batman's no-kill rule and taking out enemies. And while we wait to see who will be the Dark Knight in the DCU, it's easy to understand why Snyder chose Affleck.

Zack Snyder shared this image with his 714K followers on Instagram, a number that's been steadily building since he joined the social media outlet and posted a photo of Henry Cavill's Superman in the process. The comments section is filled with fans who want to see more of the filmmaker's vision for all things DC, especially the two scrapped Justice League sequels. Some responses read:

• I just rewatched BVS, its such a masterpiece. Incredible film. - btdjokes
• pls bring him back he is an excellent Batman - kingdiamonddotcom
• Restore the snyderverse - pulidop48
• I love the texture on the suit. Also you were the only one to comic accurate adapt the gray suit - joeyfierrodmd
• Still my favourite Batman! - shane.r.lowrie

Unfortunately, Ben Affleck only got to take center stage for two DCEU movies. Although he did have cameos in Suicide Squad and The Flash, helping the former shared universe feel more interconnected. Affleck also did reshoots for Zack Snyder's Justice League, bringing together the new Knightmare scene and the Martian Manhunter sequence in the process.

The DCEU is streaming now on HBO Max. The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. But with Snyder regularly posting throwbacks, smart money says calls to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse aren't going to slow anytime soon.

The superhero genre remains wildly popular, and fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order were recently treated to a new shared universe. Co-CEO James Gunn has crafted the DCU, with it first slate of projects titled Gods and Monsters. While moviegoers are looking forward to upcoming DC movies, plenty are still invested in the previous DCEU. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice turned 10 today, and fans are all saying the same thing.

After the DC Extended Universe was born with Zack Snyder's Man of Steel, the filmmaker greatly expanded its scope with Batman v Superman, which introduced a number of important characters. Snyder took to Instagram to share its ten-year anniversary, posting the following:

The 300 filmmaker shared this message to his 708k followers on Instagram, a number that's constantly growing thanks to the DCEU throwbacks he's been posting. While it all started with him calling Henry Cavill his favorite Superman, this latest post is about his first DC crossover movie Batman v Superman. And folks are definitely responding in the comments section.

This 2016 movie was the birth of the Sad Affleck meme, when Ben Affleck found out that reviews weren't super kind. But the movie has gotten more love as years went by, especially when the director's cut extended its story. Fans are sounding off in the comments section of Snyder's IG post, and there are plenty calling it a "Masterpiece" and "underrated". Some of those responses read:

• So underrated people bashed this when it came out, they were blind! - directedby_e
• This movie was such a masterpiece - adithya_the_bat
• Still the greatest superhero film ever made 🔥 - artofamra
• This film is vastly underrated and has been treated unfairly. However, over time, it ages like fine wine, becoming more enjoyable with every viewing. A true masterpiece. 🔥 - marceloandrade934
• Masterpiece Movie 🔥 , people fail to understand this, My Life Time Favourite Movie. Hope to see more like this . - rg.sahil_

Clearly there are plenty of moviegoers who adore this superhero flick. And there are some folks who admitted owing Batman v Superman an apology years after originally lambasting it. Snyder himself recently responded to the backlash, so it's clear that ten years later there are still some strong feelings about its performance.

The DCEU ended with Aquaman 2, and James Gunn has already brought a new Superman to life with David Corenswet in the title role. Fans are curious about when Batman will be introduced and who might play him, and are eager to see another crossover with the Man of Steel. Although when that will happen is a mystery.

Batman v Superman is streaming now on HBO Max, and the next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to wait and see what DCEU throwbacks Snyder shares next.

Zack Snyder has never really stopped revisiting his time helming new DC movies, most recently sharing a throwback to Darkseid and, at this point, that’s part of the appeal of following his social media accounts. Whether it’s sharing old storyboards, behind-the-scenes images, or the occasional character spotlight, the filmmaker clearly still enjoys dipping back into the world he helped shape. This time, though, he posted a throwback to Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, which feels a little different, and it’s giving me a serious case of “what could have been.”

The director recently took some time off his busy 2026 movie schedule to share an image on Instagram of Gadot suited up as Diana Prince, accompanied by a simple caption: “@gal_gadot my Wonder Woman #zacksnydersjusticeleague.” The image below is the kind that instantly gets attention but, once you look at it, one detail makes it stand out from the versions we’ve seen onscreen. And it raises a pretty interesting question.

Those Batman gauntlets, though? Sure, Gadot never wore them in any onscreen iteration, but still. Can you imagine if she had? But why is this giving me fomo? Let's break it down.

Why Wonder Woman Wearing Batman’s Gauntlets Has Me Experiencing FOMO

At first glance, it looks like a standard Wonder Woman promo image, but then it clicks. Those aren’t her usual bracers but Batman’s gauntlets. That’s not something that ever made it into any of Snyder’s DC films. Across Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice or Zack Snyder’s Justice League, each character kept their own distinct gear and visual identity. There was never a moment where Diana picked up Bruce Wayne’s tech like this, at least not in anything audiences actually saw.

So what is this? It could be, and probably is, a behind-the-scenes test shot, a concept that didn’t make the final cut, or even just a stylized photoshoot or simply Gal Gadot playing around with some props.

But it also could be tapping into something bigger. Snyder’s version of the DC universe always hinted at deeper connections between its characters, especially when it came to Batman and Wonder Woman. The idea of a closer partnership, or even the fan-favorite “WonderBat” dynamic, has been floating around for years. I really wish we had gotten the Diana/Bruce relationship that so many fans, including myself, shipped for so long.

Seeing Diana literally wearing part of Batman’s armor makes it hard not to wonder if there were plans, visual or narrative, that never fully made it to the screen. And that’s where the FOMO kicks in. Because whatever this version of the story was, it feels like we only got part of the story. Yet how are fans reacting to the throwback?

DCEU Fans Sound Off In The Comments

As you’d expect, Snyder’s post didn’t exactly fly under the radar. A lot of the reaction leaned into support, with fans rallying around both Gal Gadot and even some calling for Netflix or another streamer to restore the SnyderVerse. Some of the standout responses included:

• @georgeseia: “Our Wonder Woman!!! #RestoreTheSnyderVerse”
• @zacksnyderfans: “My new favorite photo of wonder woman ❤️😍 #restorethesnyderverse”
• @makethebatfleckmovie: “Gal born to be Wonder Woman!! #RestoreTheSnyderVerse”
• @joseadrianzr: “Our great princess Diana!”
• @s.i._herrera: “The perfect one”
• @keshav.maharaj1947: “Not just yours bro 😢 she is the wonder woman of all of us”
• @anaxagoras1995: “Our Wonder Woman, the best ever”
• @k.polatkaan2020: “She is our wonder woman also 😁”

At the same time, not every comment was glowing. Here are a few of the detractors:

• @cantcatchcasper: “Idk about that one Zack...”
• @bubani: “Justice League: YES / Gal Gadot 🇮🇱: NO”
• @hazxliz: “I love you Zack but no. #freepalastine🇵🇸❤️”
• @rumaanart: “Doesn’t She supports genocide ?”
• @gallllllad: “She's an IDF soldier… please change her”

As you can see, the reaction was a mix of hype and nostalgia, with a bit of not-so-friendly debate, which honestly feels pretty on-brand for anything tied to Snyder’s DC era.

You can revisit all of Snyder's DC movies, streaming with an HBO Max subscription.

Zack Snyder has never been shy about sharing his thoughts on the characters he brought to life in the DC Extended Universe, and he still seems to enjoy revisiting his time leading the franchise. The filmmaker often posts behind-the-scenes details or throwback images from the fictional world he built and, this week, he did exactly that with a new post highlighting one of the franchise’s most intimidating villains. But along with the image came a bold claim I’m not sure I can fully get behind.

The director recently took to Instagram to share an image of Darkseid from Zack Snyder’s Justice League cut, along with a strong statement about the character’s place in DC lore. In the caption, Snyder made it clear he believes the ruler of Apokolips is the ultimate big bad of the DC universe:

It’s a strong claim, and one that definitely reflects Snyder’s original long-term plans for the DCEU. Darkseid was meant to loom over the franchise as the overarching antagonist, essentially filling the same role Thanos played across Marvel’s Infinity Saga. Justice League only offered a glimpse of that story, showing the character preparing his invasion of Earth after Steppenwolf’s defeat.

Of course, the idea that Darkseid is "the" definitive DC villain might be where some fans push back a little. I know I do. Darkseid is undeniably one of the most powerful and iconic villains in DC Comics history, but he shares that space with several other legendary baddies. Characters like the Joker, Lex Luthor, and Brainiac have all played major roles across decades of storytelling. Joker, in particular, has arguably become the most recognizable DC villain in popular culture thanks to numerous film adaptations and Oscar-winning performances.

Still, Snyder’s comment makes sense when viewed through the lens of the story he was building. Darkseid was always positioned as the ultimate threat behind the events of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which is available to stream with an HBO Max subscription. The film shows him briefly during a flashback battle with ancient heroes and again at the end, when he vows to conquer Earth using the Anti-Life Equation.

Snyder was setting the stage for something much bigger, and fans of the so-called “SnyderVerse” have long speculated about what that larger storyline might have looked like. Storyboards and interviews over the years have revealed plans for a multi-film arc that would have seen Darkseid eventually invade Earth, forcing the Justice League into a desperate final stand. Batman and Superman were both expected to play major roles in that conflict, with the story culminating in an all-out war against Apokolips.

Instead, the DC film universe shifted direction after the theatrical release of Justice League in 2017 and again after Snyder’s director’s cut debuted on streaming in 2021. A new DC Universe has taken shape under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran, with an entirely different long-term narrative roadmap. Superman dropped last year, and the upcoming Supergirl and Clayface are set for the 2026 movie schedule.

That doesn’t mean fans have stopped revisiting Snyder’s version of the story, though. Posts like this one continue to fuel conversation about what might have been and about where characters like Darkseid rank among DC’s greatest villains. Whether or not he’s “the” greatest villain in the DC universe may be up for debate. But one thing’s hard to argue with: Darkseid’s brief appearance in Zack Snyder’s Justice League left fans very curious about what could have been.

The comic book genre continues to be wildly popular, and has shown no real sign of slowing down anytime soon. Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order have watched as the DCEU ended, and co-CEO James Gunn crafted a new shared universe in theaters (and streaming with a HBO Max subscription). Recently Zack Snyder has been sharing throwbacks on Instagram, showing some BTS images from his time on projects like Man of Steel and Justice League. The latest of which showed Henry Cavill striking a truly iconic pose, and I can't get enough.

While moviegoers are invested in upcoming DC movies and the first slate of DCU projects (titled Gods and Monsters), we've also been looking backward as a result of Snyder's various IG throwbacks. The latest of which shows Cavill's Clark Kent as he's opening his shirt to become Superman. Check it out below:

I mean, how cool is that? This pose is a huge part of Superman lore, both on the comics and the screen. Countless times throughout the years Clark Kent has seen Metropolis need his help, and stripped his casual clothes off to reveal the Superman suit that he wears underneath it. And Henry Cavill looks pretty pitch striking this iconic pose.

Snyder shared this to his 690k followers on Instagram, a number that's constantly growing as a result of his various DCEU throwbacks. The director's face in the image is pretty priceless, and he looks to be both delighted and thoroughly geeking out at bringing this moment to life. Given his love for all things DC, can you blame him?

Zack Snyder has been posting a ton of throwbacks with Cavill recently, making it clear who is favorite onscreen Superman is. The pair were able to collaborate on three blockbusters together: Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as well as the theatrical cut of Justice League. His caption for the above Instagram post mentions that the photo was from Zack Snyder's Justice League, but he didn't actually participate in reshoots for the Snyder Cut. Still, the filmmaker found a way to rework previously captured footage to complete the film, and tease what his two planned Justice League sequels would have been like.

With every new post, the director's fans take to the comments section to plead with Warner Bros. to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse. There isn't any indication the studio is going to move forward, especially with the newly formed DCEU still in its infancy. Alas, that hasn't discouraged those fans.

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to wait and see what DCEU throwbacks Zack Snyder treats us to next.

When Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hit theaters back in 2016, plenty of fans had strong opinions about the movie. One of the loudest debates centered on Jesse Eisenberg stepping into the role of Lex Luthor, especially since audiences were used to a very different version of the villain. Now, nearly a decade later, director Zack Snyder is opening up about fans' reaction to that film and how that casting decision came together as well as why he chose Eisenberg over the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Adam Driver.

During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz, Snyder recalled how a few major names were part of early discussions before Eisenberg ultimately landed the part. As mentioned in past interviews, DiCaprio and Driver were among the performers he could imagine shaping the role of Luthor. As he tells it:

Snyder has talked before about wanting a different kind of Luthor for his now-defunct DC Extended Universe. Instead of the classic older corporate mastermind popularized by actors like Gene Hackman, the filmmaker envisioned a younger, tech-era billionaire whose intellect came with a dangerous edge. That’s where Eisenberg clicked for him. The 300 director continued:

The choice was bold and, as Snyder has acknowledged in other interviews, it wasn’t universally embraced at the time. Many had been fan-casting everyone from Bryan Cranston to Daniel Day-Lewis as the iconic DC villain. As a result, Eisenberg’s jittery, tech-bro interpretation caught many people off guard.

Even the studio reportedly needed some convincing before fully getting on board with the casting. Of course, another factor may have shaped how audiences reacted. Snyder noted that Eisenberg’s Luthor doesn’t appear with the character’s traditional bald look until the final moments of the film. Finally, he added:

I believe BvS does a lot of things well but, love or hate Eisenberg’s version of Lex Luthor, one thing is sure: it was definitely not the safe option. Of course, that was largely the point. Snyder has often said the goal with Batman v Superman was to swing big with a mythic, operatic tone. That approach extended all the way down to his reimagining of one of Superman’s most famous enemies.

The new DC universe is currently moving forward with James Gunn in charge, but if you want to catch Eisenberg in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, along with all the Snyderverse films, stream them with an HBO Max subscription.

17 years ago today, Zack Snyder left his first stamp on the superhero movie genre with Watchmen, his film adaptation of the same-named beloved comic book series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. From there, he would direct Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and his original vision for Justice League, which comprise the “Synderverse” incarnation of the DC Extended Universe. Along those lines, to celebrate Watchmen’s 17th anniversary, Snyder (who considers this his favorite comic book movie he’s directed) has a “personal” recommendation that Snyderverse fans will love.

Foreshadowing what would happen with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, a director’s cut of Watchmen was released in home media after the theatrical cut had its time on silver screens. So for those of you who are watching Watchmen today or over the weekend for the anniversary and are familiar with Zack Snyder’s work, it shouldn’t surprise you what he recommended on Instagram to accompany a black-and-white photo of the original Nite Owl and Silk Spectre:

Before I go further, it’s important to note that there are actually two extended versions of Watchmen to choose from. The more traditional director’s cut expands the 162-minute runtime to 186 minutes by reincorporating a number of deleted scenes, including the death of Hollis Mason, the original Nite Owl. Then there’s the 215-minute “Ultimate Cut” which has those same scenes, as well as Tales of the Black Freighter edited into the story. That animated feature, which depicts the pirate comic book a civilian is reading during the events of Watchmen, was originally released on its own direct to video, and it included the fictional in-universe documentary Under the Hood.

I don’t think Zack Snyder fans will be surprised in the slightest that he’s suggesting the director’s cut of Watchmen be viewed instead of the theatrical. Full disclosure, though, if you want to watch that traditional director’s cut, you’ll need to buy a physical copy. If you decide to go the digital route or stream with your HBO Max subscription, your only options will be the theatrical version or the Ultimate Cut. Still, Snyder will likely be just fine with his fans choosing the latter version to watch for the 17th anniversary.

2026 also marks the 40th anniversary of when DC Comics began publishing the Watchmen comic book series. So in addition to Zack Snyder’s movie, regardless of the version, this is also a good year to check out other Watchmen adaptations. There’s the HBO limited series, which served as a sequel to the comic, as well as the two-part animated movie released in 2024 that also adapted the original story.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, with a number of shared universes competing at the box office. While co-CEO James Gunn is working on the new DCU, some fans are still looking back on the DCEU (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription). The first few titles were directed by Zack Snyder, who recently gave his thoughts about the criticism that came at Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Folks who have been watching the DC movies in order might recall the strong reaction that came after Batman v Superman hit theaters. Some fans took umbrage with Batman using a gun in the Knightmare scene, while others thought the director's cut was necessary for the narrative to make sense. During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Snyder got real about that discourse, saying:

Honestly, some points were made. Say what you want about Snyder, but he's always got a very specific director's vision with his movies. And he thinks that's more valuable than creating a DC project that's coming from studios heads and focus groups.... even if the poor reviews for Batman V Superman resulted in that Sad Affleck meme.

As the threat of AI looms, Zack Snyder's above comments feel all the more significant. There are concerns about the industry possibly favoring AI over human voices, and the 300 director wants to ensure that movies are still made by individuals, rather than by committee. And he's got plenty of fans who would likely agree with him.

Zack Snyder definitely took some bold swings during Batman v Superman, even if some of them weren't well received by DC fans. The version of Bruce Wayne we were introduced to was bitter and brutal, seemingly breaking his no-kill rule a number of times throughout its runtime. Then there was in the infamous Martha scene, which has been memed a number of times over the years. But hey, at least he had a clear vision for his version of the comic book story.

The next DC movie hitting is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to wait and see if Snyder ever returns to the comic book genre.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, with a number of shared universes currently competing at the box office. Folks who spent years watching the DC movies in order will recall how the previous DCEU began with Zack Snyder's Man of Steel (streaming with a HBO Max subscription). But we've already been treated to a new Clark Kent in the DCU, thanks to Gunn's Superman movie. And now Snyder has shared his thoughts on that project, and what the Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker does right.

Superman hit theaters back in July, and was the debut movie project from the DCU's first slate of titles, called Gods and Monsters. That blockbuster had a much different feel than Man of Steel, and during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Snyder offered his take on what Gunn brings to the Last Son of Krypton. As he put it:

Not only has Zack Snyder seen Superman, but it seems like he's already looking forward to its sequel Man of Tomorrow. That upcoming DC movie is already in active development, and will find David Corenswet's Kal-El and Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor united against a common enemy: Brainiac. And I can't wait to see what Snyder thinks about that blockbuster after its release.

While Snyder is known for bringing gritty DC stories to life with muted colors, James Gunn had a very different vision for Superman. The movie had plenty of comedy, bright colors, and focused on the character's hopeful nature. Later in that same podcast, the 300 director praised what Gunn brings to the table. In his words:

He's not wrong. James Gunn's work on both the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise (streaming with a Disney+ subscription) and The Suicide Squad showed how well his unique director's vision translates to the big screen. While there's plenty of cool action and comedic beats, there's always a very human story at the heart of it. And as Snyder says, that's what makes him a great "steward" of the genre.

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Zack Snyder, he's attached to a number of upcoming movies, albeit none of them being superhero projects.

Few new superhero movies are as dissected and memed as thoroughly as Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was upon release. While the 2016 blockbuster certainly has its defenders and does some things undeniably well, one moment continues to overshadow the rest, depending on who you ask: the infamous “Martha” scene. It’s been parodied, endlessly debated, and recycled into TikToks and punchlines for nearly a decade. So how does Zack Snyder actually feel about the internet refusing to let it die?

During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Snyder took a break from his packed 2026 movie schedule to address the scene directly. He acknowledged that it became a cultural lightning rod, but made it clear he still stands by the reasoning behind it. As he put it:

If you somehow missed the cultural discourse back in 2016, the moment occurs when Batman, fully prepared to kill Superman, hesitates after Clark Kent utters his mother’s name, Martha, which happens to be the same name as Bruce Wayne’s late mother. For some viewers, it was an emotionally resonant humanizing beat. For others, it felt abrupt, even unintentionally funny. The memes followed almost immediately.

But Snyder explains that they didn’t do it for shock value, but as a thematic bridge. In his interpretation, Bruce has so completely dehumanized Superman that he sees him as a threat, a god, or even a monster. Hearing that he has a mother, and that her name mirrors the most traumatic loss of Bruce’s life, punctures that narrative in an instant.

From Snyder’s perspective, the moment is rooted in canon. Both characters’ mothers have been named Martha in DC Comics for decades. The film simply chose to lean into that overlap as a storytelling device. Whether audiences embraced it is another question, but the intent was always about cracking open Batman’s hardened worldview.

It’s also important to remember the broader context of Batman and Superman in that film. This iteration of the Caped Crusader is older, more cynical, and deeply scarred by years of trauma. He’s lost faith in institutions and views Superman as the ultimate symbol of unchecked power. The “Martha” moment isn’t intended to function as some magic word that instantly fixes everything; it’s meant to serve as an emotional shockwave. In that split second, Bruce is forced to confront the humanity of the being he’s about to kill, and, by extension, reconnect with his own.

Snyder’s comments come as part of a larger point about authorship. Whether audiences love or hate his films, they undeniably stem from a singular artistic perspective. In the same discussion, he poses a pointed question: Do we really want movies “with all the edges sanded off?” It’s a telling remark, especially considering what happened when he stepped away from Justice League and the studio brought in Joss Whedon in an effort to smooth things out and broaden the appeal, a move that, for many, satisfied no one.

You can debate Snyder’s aesthetic and storytelling choices all day, “Martha” included, but it’s difficult to argue that his films lack a clear point of view. Just compare his cut of Justice League to the theatrical version to see how dramatically two filmmakers can interpret the same material. Sure, the “Martha” scene may feel abrupt or even a bit awkward to some viewers. But the underlying logic is there, and the intention is clear. And there’s something to be said for a storyteller willing to take bold swings in service of a distinct vision — even if those swings occasionally become memes.

The new DC universe under James Gunn is moving along, but if you're feeling like revisiting Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, along with the entire Snyderverse of DC films, they're streaming with an HBO Max subscription.

These days, the future is looking bright for fans of DC Comics with all the upcoming DC movies on the way. From this summer’s Supergirl to 2027’s Superman follow-up, Man Of Tomorrow, there's a lot to be excited about. Still, it’s hard to forget what could have been with Zack Snyder’s DC Extended Universe continuity. To that point, Snyder recently talked about what he had in mind for his Man of Steel sequel.

In honor of the tenth anniversary of Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Zack Snyder talked about his plans for Man of Steel 2 on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. When asked if he thought about giving Henry Cavill’s Superman a sequel before landing on the team-up film with Batman and Wonder Woman, Snyder said this:

Now, funny enough, James Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow is set to include Brainiac, and German actor Lars Eidinger was cast to play the famed DC villain back in December. But, obviously, Snyder’s take would have been much different and, now, I'm so curious about what that would have looked like. During his recent interview, Snyder also said this in regard to how he viewed his DC story:

As Snyder explained, when he and Warner Bros. landed on doing a team-up film rather than Man of Steel 2, he didn’t necessarily think of it as straying away from a sequel for Superman. He felt like Batman v. Superman was a Superman film as much as his initial idea was going to be, and the character was always central to the universe to him. While the age of the "Snyderverse" may be over, the filmmaker said fans should “never forget” that they helped release the Snyder Cut of Justice League.

While fans will surely continue to wonder what a solo Man of Steel follow-up might've looked like, it sounds like what came next in the Snyderverse ended up being exactly what Snyder felt like the right next move was for his universe. Bu, did the filmmaker feel any pressure to build up a universe to compete with the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Snyder said Warner Bros was “very excited about Dawn of Justice” being on the Batman v. Superman title, whereas he didn’t “really need it” tacked on to the film.

Back in 2022, there was talk of Man of Steel 2 being developed before getting shelved due to execs handing the keys to James Gunn and Peter Safran. While Snyder's film isn't coming to fruition, at the very least, fans will get to see Superman do battle with Brainiac -- with Lex Luthor even assisting him -- in a movie, which is an exciting prospect. Man of Tomorrow is currently expected to hit theaters on July 9, 2027. In the meantime, read up on other projects announced for DCU Chapter One.

The new DC universe under James Gunn appears to be in a good place following the successful release of Superman. However, it seems clear at this point that there are always going to be some diehard fans who will continue to push for the continuation of the version of the characters that Zack Snyder created for Justice League. While seeing them again is only becoming less likely over time, Snyder himself isn’t entirely giving up hope, because the fans have already done incredible things.

During an episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Josh Horowitz asked Snyder about the possibility of ever continuing the Snyderverse. While the director certainly didn’t indicate any reason to believe it might happen, he refused to discount the possibility it could, simply because he never thought that his version of Justice League would ever happen either. And yet, fan support for the idea eventually made it real. Snyder said…

I will be the first to admit that I was among those who never believed Zack Snyder’s Justice League would ever happen. And it's not because I didn’t want to see it or didn’t think it should exist, but because, as Snyder says, things like the cost and the politics involved just seemed like insurmountable obstacles. Yet, it exists.

During the post-production of 2017’s Justice League, Zack Snyder had to step away to deal with a family tragedy. Warner Bros. brought in Joss Whedon to finish the film, which ended up including major reshoots that significantly changed the project. That movie disappointed fans and the box office, leading to many wishing they could see the version Zack Snyder would have made had he retained control of the project.

In 2021, following a fan campaign that lasted the entire four-year period, we ultimately saw it, Zack Snyder’s Justice League was a massive four-hour epic released to the the then new HBO Max streaming service. While it certainly wasn’t the movie we would have seen in the theaters back in 2017, it was exactly what fans wanted.

Fans should be proud of their work. Despite all the reasons the movie was never going to happen, they continued to push for it, showing that there was an audience for the project if it ever were to exist. There were also numerous fundraisers for suicide prevention under the #ReleaseThe SnyderCut banner, so the group not only did well, but it did good.

Snyder’s comments are likely to cause a resurgence of another hashtag, #RestoreThe SnyderVerse, which is from those who want to see the projects that Zack Snyder envisioned to follow Justice League that never happened. And who knows, with the news that DC owner Warner Bros. is going to be under new management down the road, perhaps there really is a chance it could all happen.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, and we've been treated to a number of DC projects in theaters and streaming with a HBO Max subscription. The new DCU is the brainchild of co-CEO James Gunn, who announced the first slate of projects titled Gods and Monsters. But some folks are still looking back at the previous DCEU, and now Joe Manganiello has joined Zack Snyder in posting some throwbacks. Although the Magic Mike actor's Deathstroke post has some fans confused about upcoming DC movies.

Snyder has been posting a ton of DCEU images lately, with his fans being encouraged to campaign for the studio to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse. Manganiello has now joined the fun, posting a clip from Justice League on Instagram. Check it out below:

You can't deny that the True Blood star looked awesome as Deathstroke. Unfortunately, he never really got his time to shine in the DCEU. The Ben Affleck Batman movie was scrapped, as was the Justice League sequels. So Manganiello's tenure as Deathstroke ended up being a few brief cameos in both version of Justice League; luckily we got a new scene thanks to the Snyder Cut's Knightmare sequence.

While there's no indication that Manganiello will return as Deathstroke in the new DCU, that hasn't stopped fans from questioning, debating, and hoping that he gets another chance opposite Ben Affleck's Batman. The comments section on his IG post are filled with these types of responses, which read:

• Still wish this was happening! - tylerkirkhamart
• Why u posting all of a sudden now. Is it RTSV? 😮 - dc_trinity_
• Joe we need you Ben and Zack to get back together and make that Batman film! - haydendbarton
• JOE WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO IMPLY PLEASE - batflck
• What going on bruh 👀 - zacksnyderfans

While some folks are clearly hoping that some of the scrapped DCEU movies get new life, the likelihood of that actually happening seems unlikely. We're still in the early stage of the new DCU, so it would be shocking if James Gunn and company went backwards to the previous shared universe. Still, that Zack Snyder's hardcore fans seem singularly focused.

In some ways this passion is understandable; the Snyder Cut being released originally seemed like a pipe dream. But fans kept the discourse going, and eventually Warner Bros. relented. Although the idea of the studio spending money to produce new projects in the scrapped shared universe is even more unlikely.

The DCEU is streaming over on HBO Max, including Joe Manganiello's brief tenure as Deathstroke. The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

In case you hadn’t noticed, comic book movies have changed to an exceptional degree over the last quarter-century-plus. The landscape was basically dead until X-Men and Spider-Man changed the game in the early 2000s, and the storytelling is so abundant now thanks to the co-existing Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Universe that there are questions of genre fatigue. It’s been a complex journey full of big ups and downs in the last two-and-a-half decades, and two titles that really can’t be ignored in the conversation are Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight and Zack Snyder’s Watchmen – which are actually two films that are inextricably linked.

No, I’m not just referring to the Batman easter egg in the latter’s memorable title sequence that seems to rewrite the Caped Crusader’s origin story. The two blockbusters were released within a year of one another (July 2008 and March 2009), and while they together demonstrated the potential of dark and dramatic storytelling in comic book movies, Snyder credits Nolan’s work for opening the particular door that he ended up walking through. In a 2009 interview with the New York Times, the 300 director was asked about how the success of the Batman Begins sequel “helped” his work, and Snyder explained,

The idea of dramatic comic book movies wasn’t wholly novel in the mid-’00s (the aforementioned Batman Begins isn’t exactly a light romp compared to the follow-up), but they certainly didn’t have the gravitas that existed in the wake of The Dark Knight. With comparisons to Michael Mann’s Heat and eventually seeing Heath Ledger win a posthumous Oscar, the film earned a degree of acclaim that the genre had never seen before, and it was thanks to Christopher Nolan’s grounded vision.

Snyder does note that there isn’t quite a one-to-one comparison to make. Nolan’s movie is a realistic crime epic with zero supernatural elements, and Watchmen is definitely not that. But as Snyder continued, he explained that there are key intersections in the character development and emotionality:

The existence of the god-like Dr. Manhattan alone is a big differentiator between Watchmen and The Dark Knight, but that big splash of the fantastical doesn’t eradicate the connection between the two movies because they operate with a similar core philosophy: this kind of storytelling can and should be taken seriously. Acknowledging their independent approaches, Snyder said,

Should you care to see how the two blockbusters compare nearly 20 years following their respective releases, both The Dark Knight and Watchmen are available to stream with a HBO Max subscription.

Zack Snyder has been a busy man on social media as of late. Near the end of 2025, Snyder finally joined Instagram and, since then, he’s been treating fans to some cool photos from the DC Extended Universe films. From pics of Henry Cavill’s Superman to snapshots of Ben Affleck’s Batfleck, the filmmaker definitely seems to be feeling nostalgic. More recently, Snyder devoted a post to a few more pics from his version of Justice League. That post is also accompanied by the reveal of a wish he has, and it really has me thinking.

While many of Snyder’s posts have been devoted to the heroes of the DCEU, he recently took some time to shine the spotlight on one of its greatest villains. Snyder shared two photos from what appeared to be a private screening of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and they show the silver and spikey Steppenwolf (who’s voiced by Ciarán Hinds in the superhero team-up film). Take a look at the DC Comics antagonist in the photos below:

The director’s cut of JL gave Steppenwolf a bit more than just a shiny new look. It also fleshed out his relationship with Darkseid, the incredibly powerful ruler of the planet Apokolips. While Steppenwolf’s role in the theatrical cut was panned, I’d argue he does indeed get more of the spotlight in Snyder’s version of the film. On a separate note, it’s also sweet to see the character on a massive screen, and that actually ties in with the one wish Snyder mentions in his post:

While I may have had a somewhat up-and-down relationship with the DCEU, I can’t help but imagine how cool it would be to see Zack Snyder’s Justice League in a premium format like IMAX. The film was released, after years of fan campaigning, in 2021 and was made available with an HBO Max subscription. With that, fans didn’t have the opportunity to see the four-hour flick on the big screen. Certain moments, including that third-act sequence that sees The Flash enter the Speed Force to reverse time, would look great in a theater.

Considering Snyder’s wish, some may be tempted to wonder whether a theatrical release is possible for JL. I’d honestly say that, at this point, the chances of that happening seem somewhat slim, especially since we’re now several years removed from the movie’s streaming release. I’m not saying it’s impossible, of course, though DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran have other priorities as they continue to work through DCU Chapter 1.

DCEU fans can continue to live vicariously through Zack Snyder’s continuing flow of BTS photos, which have also shown Wonder Woman and Cyborg. And, of course, those who want to check his version of Justice League – alongside his other entries in the since-ended DC film universe – can still head over to HBO Max to check them out.

Zack Snyder has a habit of reopening old wounds with a single social media post, and this week he did it again. The director shared yet another black-and-white throwback image with a simple caption, and it has me thinking about the DCEU spinoff that was announced but never produced.

The Image Zack Snyder Shared

The director shared a throwback image of the Amazon warriors of Themyscira, the same fierce lineup that helped open Zack Snyder’s Justice League, accompanied by a simple caption: “Don’t mess with the ladies of Themyscira. Warriors. Sisters. Legends.” As you can see below, the image is great on its own. But for longtime DCEU watchers, it’s also a reminder of something that never quite made it to the screen: The Themyscira spinoff film that was once announced, discussed, and then quietly left behind.

The incredible image is a reminder of just how indelible the Amazons were in Zack Snyder’s cut of the Justice League film, particularly during the extended Mother Box battle sequence that many fans still point to as one of the film’s most visceral highlights. That moment, largely absent from the theatrical cut, helped cement Themyscira as more than just Wonder Woman’s origin point. It became a fully realized world with stakes and with plans for a spinoff in the works.

A Reminder Of What Almost Was

Themyscira remains one of Zack Snyder’s most effective feats of world-building. From Wonder Woman through Justice League, the Amazons weren’t presented merely as elite fighters, but as a fully realized culture — mythic, disciplined, and unified by purpose. Their presence carried real weight, from the physicality of the performances to the operatic scale of their battles.

That’s why a standalone Themyscira project once felt like such an obvious next step. The proposed spinoff wasn’t meant to be a side quest; it was positioned as an expansion, one that would explore Amazon history, internal politics, and conflict beyond Diana herself. At the time, it was widely understood as a meaningful piece of the larger Snyderverse puzzle.

For a while, a Themyscira-focused project seemed inevitable. Which is why this throwback image hits harder than expected. As one Instagram user, @motion.picture_updates, put it:

In late 2019, Patty Jenkins revealed she was developing her Amazon-centered spinoff film titled The Amazons, conceived as both a prequel and a sequel to Wonder Woman. The project was designed to explore the origins of Themyscira while also connecting the events of Wonder Woman 1984 to a planned third film. Jenkins was never intended to direct, but remained attached as a producer, with Connie Nielsen confirming she would return as Queen Hippolyta. Like much of the DCEU’s original roadmap, that version of the story quietly disappeared when DC reset its plans.

The DCU Plans for Themyscira

Ironically, the idea of putting Themyscira front and center never vanished but simply changed shape. Under DC Studios’ reboot led by James Gunn and Peter Safran, Warner Bros. announced Paradise Lost, a live-action series set on the island long before the birth of Diana Prince. Described as “Game of Thrones–ish,” the show was pitched as a political drama focused on power, ambition, and intrigue within an all-women society.

Unlike anything Zack Snyder or Patty Jenkins had planned, Paradise Lost was designed to exist entirely outside previous continuity, focusing on Themyscira itself. And yet, nearly three years after its announcement, meaningful updates have been scarce, making the resurfaced image a reminder of a path left unexplored.

The Sucker Punch filmmaker's Instagram post doesn’t tease a revival or hint at unfinished business, despite what many comments suggest. But it doesn’t have to. By revisiting the Amazons in this stark, mythic form, he’s quietly recalling a version of Themyscira that once promised scale and spectacle, while Paradise Lost was meant to represent the future.

Whether fans prefer one vision over the other, one thing is clear: Themyscira still looms large over DC’s past and its uncertain future. And if a single black-and-white image can spark this much debate, it may be a sign that the Amazons aren’t a side story at all, but a main event still waiting its turn.

When it comes to James Gunn’s new DCU, one of the most important superhero characters fans are keeping an eye out for is Wonder Woman. People keep fancasting Alexandra Daddario, while Ana de Armas has been asked about taking over the role. As fans wait for answers on that front, Zack Snyder is celebrating the actress who brought Diana to life in the DCEU: Gal Gadot. The Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice helmer reflected on Gadot's first gauntlet smash as the heroine by sharing a cool BTS video.

Wonder Woman’s infamous gauntlet smash is forever memorable, as it sees her slam her Bracelets of Submission together to send out a massive shockwave towards her enemies. More than a decade after shooting BvS, Zack Snyder still seems to have a soft spot for Diana and the actress who played her. Snyder took to Instagram to show off a slow-motion clip of Gadot practicing the smash:

For an iPhone shot, the quality is pretty impressive. As you can see in the slow-motion video, Gal Gadot is being zoomed in on, looking like she’s ready to battle, and then she shields her face with her bracelets. My favorite part of the video is seeing the superhero lead break out into a smile as she raises her arms to her face. Gadot's expressions exude both poise as well as a sense of playfulness, which was what she ultimately brought to the character.

It’s fun to see BTS videos like this, as they provide a keen peek at what goes into making superhero movies. Seeing the actors enjoy themselves while playing these kick-ass roles is a joy to see. For her part, Gal Gadot sure brought out her playful nature when preparing for her audition as Wonder Woman. The actress did that by playing Beyoncé’s “Run the World.” I guess if someone's going to represent grace and female empowerment in the superhero world, they might as well let Queen B. set the mood.

Following BvS, Gadot really shone in Wonder Woman, which is one of best movies of the 2010s, a real standout moment from that movie involves Diana of Themyscira first discovering the power of her gauntlet smash. This happens when the character tries to shield herself from her sister in arms, Antiope. It's hard to forget some of the striking scenes from that movie, including the iconic No Man's Land sequence.

When it comes to the slow-motion video, that clip is just one of many DCEU tidbits Zack Snyder has shared since joining Instagram. Snyder's been dropping Justice League photos as well as various pics of Henry Cavill's Superman. The Dawn of the Dead helmer is clearly feeling nostalgic, and I'm so here for it!

It's funny to think it's been so long since Gal Gadot first appeared on screen as Wonder Woman. While Gadot's time as the warrior princess has come to an end, her work will surely never be forgotten, especially as long as Zack Snyder and others continue to hype up her work. Those who'd like to check out Gadot's stint as Diana can stream her DCEU appearances with an HBO Max subscription.

The superhero genre is showing no signs of slowing down, and fans were recently treated to a new DC shared universe courtesy of co-CEO James Gunn. While we've been treated to the first few titles from the first slate of projects titled Gods and Monsters, filmmaker Zack Snyder has been posting photos from the previous DCEU (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription). His latest of these images has fans thinking he's directing another Batman movie, and I think he knows what he's doing here.

Following the release The Snyder Cut, some fans began campaigning for Warner Bros. to restore the SnyderVerse, including his two planned Justice League sequels. There's been no indication this is happening (especially since the new DCU was formed), but his latest post on Instagram has fans holding out hope for him to helm an upcoming DC movie about Gotham's Protector. You can check out the photo in question below:

While this image seemingly shows off some pottery own by Zack Snyder, his 647K followers on Instagram quickly noted a tie to DC. Because behind said pottery there a copy of Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns can be seen. This four-issue comic book plot is wildly popular, and the comments section is filled with fans hoping this was a subtle nod to his future plans to adapt it into a live-action film.

Obviously this isn't any real confirmation about Snyder working with Warner Bros. on another DC project, but folks in the comments section are sounding off. And I have to believe that the visionary filmmaker knew that this was the type of reaction that would come by including a Batman comic in the background of the shot. Some of the responses include:

• THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS 👀😩 - tommcjl
• #MakeTheBatfleckMovie 🔥🔥🔥🙌🙌🙌❤️❤️❤️ - jona_custodio1
• I saw what you did here!! #MakeTheBatfleckMovie - makethebatfleckmovie
• Yes , I am convinced boss is going to direct the dark knight. - brokewayne105
• Miller supports Snyder - dcwireofficial

Fans who watched the DC movies in order saw as Snyder kickstarted the entire DCEU with projects like Man of Steel and Batman v Superman, before assembling an entire team of heroes in Justice League. The latter two projects brought Ben Affleck's hulking and jaded Bruce Wayne to the big screen, and there are plenty of moviegoers who are bummed that Affleck's solo movie never got produced.

Zack Snyder has been methodically posting photos from the DCEU sine joining Instagram, and his following has skyrocketed quickly as a result. Call me a cynic, but I think that including The Dark Knight Returns in the above shot was further reason for fans to click and engage in the post, therefore exposing his profile to more potential followers. Although if he was given another DC movie to direct I'd be there with bells on.

Snyder's superhero movies are streaming over on HBO Max. The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to wait and see if Warner Bros. and Snyder ever collaborate again on a comic book project.

It’s not uncommon for people to take part in social media challenges, and fans of Zack Snyder’s just became the beneficiaries of his participation in a recent trend. As of late, users have been taking part in the 2016 challenge, which involves sharing photos taken a decade ago. During that point in time, Snyder was still immersed in the world of the DC Extended Universe, as he worked on his Justice League movie. So, as part of the viral challenge, Snyder dropped a number of sweet BTS pics that had fans feeling nostalgic.

Since Snyder joined Instagram in late 2025, he’s delighted fans with more than a few sweet mementos that signify his time working within the world of DC. From throwback pics of Ben Affleck’s Batman to sweet snapshots of Henry Cavill’s Superman, Snyder seems to have a lot of photos. The filmmaker took to IG again just recently and dropped photos from the production of Justice League, which featured the aforementioned actors along with Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa and more. Take a look at Snyder’s post:

There’s a sweet mixture of images in that carousel, as some show actors like Ray Fisher and Connie Nielsen alongside Zack Snyder himself. Additionally, there are sketches and notes – which may or may not have been written by Snyder himself, which seem to show what he was planning for his overall story. I have to admit it’s kind of a trip seeing these photos a decade, as I can still remember the lead-up to Justice League’s release. Snyder’s post is also a keen reminder that time really flies.

It was probably a given that fans of the since-ended DCEU continuity would be in their feelings over these photos. Many took to the comment section to share their enthusiasm over seeing the Dawn of the Dead helmer’s photos. Some not only expressed excitement but also conveyed some fans’ long-held hope that the Snyderverse will be revived. Check out some of them:

• Zack SYNDER is dropping the Jewels ❤️🔥 - eventide__photography_and_film
• 🔥 👏😮 absolutely awesome throwback. We all love seeing these behind the scenes. Really appreciate your vision for DC! Would love more to come. - vfx_central
• The Holy Trinity 🔥 🥹👏🏻🤘🏻🥃 - yerar_88
• Love this mythological DC so much! - mrvegaofficial
• Treating these characters like works of art ❤️ - el_gabe_real
• Really hoping we get to see 5 and 6 put to the screen! - leodukemusic

A lot of the photos that Zack Snyder has been sharing have sparked new calls from #RestoreTheSnyderverse devotees. The chances of that happening seem slim at this point, considering DC Studios is continuing to build out its DCU continuity amid Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. Still, fans can, of course, live vicariously through Snyder’s photos and check out his DCEU movies (which are streamable with an HBO Max subscription).

Snyder’s tenure with the DCEU ended abruptly and tragically when he stepped away from Justice League in 2017 following the death of his daughter, Autumn. Joss Whedon was then notably brought in to oversee reshoots and rewrites, and his theatrical version of the movie was ultimately panned by fans and critics. After years of fans campaigning for a director’s cut, the four-hour Zack Snyder’s Justice League (or the “Snyder Cut”) was released. Snyder’s version was ultimately better received than its theatrical counterpart.

Today, Zack Snyder seems to have warm feelings about his time working with DC’s iconic characters, and the photos he’s shared are a nice way to commemorate that time in his life. It’s hard to predict what Snyder might post next, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he still has some awesome photos in his archives just waiting to be posted.

The comic book genre is showing no signs of slowing down, although things on the DC side of things have shifted thanks to co-CEO James Gunn. He dropped the DCEU and brought a new shared universe to life, with the first slate of projects titled Gods and Monsters. Meanwhile, Zack Snyder has been posting photos from his DC movies, with the latest image of Ben Affleck's Batman seemingly adding fuel to the campaign to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse.

There are a number of upcoming DC movies coming down the line, but some fans are still caught up on the previous shared universe (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription). Snyder isn't discouraging them, recently posting a photo of Affleck from the Knightmare Universe. Check it out below:

Honestly, this is a pretty cool image. Ben Affleck looks awesome in this Batman suit... even if the character is uncharacteristically using a gun. We first got a glimpse of the Knightmare in Batman v Superman, before that bleak apocalyptic universe was expanded thanks to the Snyder Cut's reshoots. And fans are definitely freaking out over this BTS image of The Dark Knight.

Shortly after Zack Snyder's Justice League was released, the filmmaker's fans started campaigning for Warner Bros. to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse. The studio has given no indication of this plan happening, and it seemed even more unlikely once the entire DCEU was scrapped. But that hasn't dissuaded fans from making their voices known, as you can see in the comments section of the director's most recent post. Select responses read:

• I speak for ALL of us when I say WE (yes WE) want to see this story continue - maketherichieverse
• We need Zack Snyder's Justice League Part 2 #RestoreTheSnyderVerse! - snyderqueen_
• Sequel. Now! - realmanofdcinema
• Man, I need this. I haven't been excited for a DC movie since the Snyder Cut. - huang_jun_art
• We won’t get any better this, the amount of work, love and dedication to this set the bar to high. #RestoreTheSnyderVerse - thestonedrabbit

Clearly there are folks who still want to see Zack Snyder's two Justice League sequels, finally completing his original five-film plan for the DCEU. The Knightmare scene in the Snyder Cut teased what was coming, which is why some moviegoers are still so passionate about what might have been. Alas, it still feels like a pipe dream for Warner Bros. to actually restore the SnyderVerse.

In addition to buoying fan investment in this campaign, Zack Snyder consistently posting images from the DCEU has helped the filmmaker to grow his Instagram following in a very short time. At the time of writing this story he's got 626k followers, and I have to assume he'll hit the one million mark soon... especially if the DC photos keep coming.

The next DC movie heading to theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Additionally, fans can re-watch the DCEU in its entirety over on HBO Max.

The superhero genre's popularity shows no signs of slowing down, especially with DC co-CEO James Gunn's inception of the newly formed DCU. The first slate of projects is called Gods and Monsters, and we've been treated to two shows and a movie so far (which are streaming with an HBO Max subscription). But some fans are still invested in the former DCEU, and when Zack Snyder posted a photo of Cyborg actor Ray Fisher, the responses all said pretty much the same thing.

Zack Snyder recently joined Instagram, and has been posting photos of the DCEU's stars like Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, and (you guessed it) Ray Fisher. He famously played Cyborg in both versions of Justice League, and had an especially emotional story in the Snyder Cut. The titular filmmaker recently posted a photo of the actor as Victor Stone, check it out below:

Talk about a striking image. Rather than being in full Cyborg regalia, this shows Fisher covering up half of his face with his hand, while wearing Victor's letterman jacket from Gotham City University. This post was shared to Snyder's 616k followers on Instagram, and the comments section started popping off immediately.

Zack Snyder fans are known for their passion, including the years-long campaign for the Snyder Cut's release. As such, the comments section in this post is very active, with fans wanting Warner Bros. to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse and/or bring back Ray Fisher's Cyborg in the new shared universe. You can check out some popular responses below:

• Ray fisher is a Underrated Actor 😢 - zacksnyderfans
• #restorethesnyderverse 🙏🏽 - the.jayrod
• We need cyborg flash movie #restorethesnyderverse - akkizac019
• Don't tease us. Make it happen - chandra_purba
• We need more! #restorethesnyderverse - chris7aton

If you've been paying attention to the filmmaker's work and his fans since his version of Justice League was released, this type of response might not be too surprising. Shortly after Zack Snyder's Justice League was released, fans started asking the studio to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse. There's no indication that the studio is actually interested in this, especially with James Gunn's new DCU still in its infancy. But that hasn't stopped folks from making their voices heard.

It's currently unclear what Gunn has planned for Cyborg and if/when the character might pop up in upcoming DC movies or TV shows. The DCEU was retconned out of existence in Peacemaker's Season 2 premiere, and with it Ray Fisher's signature character.

While Cyborg was the heart of Zack Snyder's Justice League, Ray Fisher's allegations against Zack Snyder and the powers that be at Warner Bros. in some ways overshadowed his work in the DCEU. While there's no indication that he's going to play Cyborg again a future DC title, the actor has continued working with Snyder on the Rebel Moon franchise (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription).

Fisher's work in both version of Justice League are available now on HBO Max. Looking to the future, he's attached to a number of films on the 2026 movie release list and beyond.

The comic book genre continues to be wildly popular, although things on the DC side of things have changed in recent years. The previous DCEU (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription) was dropped, with co-CEO James Gunn crafted a new shared universe called the DCU. We've gotten the first few titles of the the first phase, called Gods and Monsters, although Zack Snyder has been posting some throwbacks from his time at DC, and he graced us on Christmas morning with a photo of Henry Cavill wearing Christopher Reeve's original Superman suit.

While fans are looking forward to upcoming DC movies like Supergirl and Man of Tomorrow, Snyder has been looking back while growing his Instagram following. He posted a photo of Cavill when joining the social media outlet, although the latest shows him in that OG suit. Check it out below:

I mean, how cool is that? Christopher Reeves' Superman is the OG movie version of the beloved DC hero, and his colorful costume is just one reason why it's so iconic. Snyder put Cavill in that suit while testing what he might look like in Man of Steel, and you can't deny that he looks the part. And it's for this reason that he was the DCEU's version of the hero, playing him in three movies (four, including the Snyder Cut).

Zack Snyder shared this image to his 578K followers on Instagram, with that number growing every time he posts a DC throwback. Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order will recall how Man of Steel's success kickstarted the entire shared universe, as well as how Cavill returned as Superman in Black Adam. Unfortunately the entire shared universe was axed shortly after.

James Gunn's Superman crushed at the box office, with actor David Corenswet proving he had the looks, hair curl, and hopeful attitude to bring the title character to life. But for some moviegoers Cavill is still their favorite, which is why Snyder's posts about him quickly go viral. In fact, he shared a second shot on Christmas. Check it out below:

In the end, Cavill's final starring performance as Superman was in Justice League, although the Snyder Cut finally revealed the titular filmmaker's original vision for The Last Son of Krypton. While Cavill announced his return in his signature role after Black Adam, those plans were scrapped and we were given a full DC reboot.

Despite the years that have passed, some fans are still hoping that Warner Bros. does #RestoreTheSnyderVerse, giving the director the chance to bring his two planned Justice League sequels to life. There's no indication this is actually happening, but that hasn't stopped certain fans from keeping hope alive.

The entire DCEU is streaming now on HBO Max. The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Cavill, he's got a ton of upcoming projects coming down the line including Enola Holmes 3.

In modern fandom, there’s something of a battle being waged between fans of Zack Snyder and his previous DC movie universe, dubbed the Snyderverse, and the new DCU being created by James Gunn. One might think there was some level of animosity between the two, but Zack Snyder just reminded everybody that before either of them were making comic book movies, they were making zombie movies, and they were doing it together.

Zack Snyder made his directorial debut as a feature film director over 20 years ago on the remake of George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. Snyder recently shared some (slightly gross) images from the set of the film, which was written by James Gunn, to Instagram. Fans are really appreciating both the men and the movie, with comments that include…

• I love how they are friends while fandoms are fighting over on twitter lol - michaelvincabardo
• Dawn of the Dead The Best Zombie Movie Of Alltime ❤️🔥🙌 - zacksnyderfans
• Can we get a new Snyder Directed + Gunn written movie in the DCU 🙏🏽 @jamesgunn - lightskinbaka
• You two need to work together again. Seriously!! Doesn’t have to be DC. - lionrises_media
• y'all should team up again to make another classic - twinpumpkin
• 🔥🔥🔥 - frankgrillo1

Many fans are pointing out, as the one above does, that Gunn and Snyder are in the middle of a sort of proxy fan war, as many are upset that Zack Snyder’s time controlling DC movies is over and he’s been supplanted by Gunn. To be sure, there are plenty of “Restore the SnyderVerse” comments and calls to fire James Gunn among the comments, but the vast majority of those responding are positive, with love for both men and the movie they made together.

The most interesting comments may be the calls for Gunn and Snyder to make another movie together. Many would love to see Snyder direct another Gunn screenplay, or even to see Snyder direct a new DC movie as part of James Gunn’s DCU. If people are blown away by the fact that Snyder and Gunn once worked together, any plan to do so in the future would throw people for a loop.

Zack Snyder calls the experience of making Dawn of the Dead a “fun time.” In his post. That sentiment was echoed by James Gunn himself, who posted his own comment:

While seeing these two work together again feels like the longest of long shots, there’s little argument that the time they did was pretty incredible. Clearly, the two filmmakers had a lot in common, based on the fact that they found themselves in similar places years later. Maybe that’s why it all worked so well.

Guillermo del Toro has so many movies that he never made that the topic literally has its own Wikipedia page. We nearly had a Guillermo del Toro version of Beauty and the Beast, and the story of his attempt to adapt H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness is legendary. But del Toro also has multiple “almost" superhero movies, including, it turns out, Man of Steel.

Guillermo del Toro has spoken openly about many of the movies he’s wanted to make, but never done, but one movie that he hasn’t talked about is Man of Steel. In a recent interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, del Toro is asked about the project, and while technically he doesn’t confirm or deny ever being attached, he does explain why he wouldn’t make a Superman movie, saying…

Guillermo del Toro saying “my vibe is dark” is possibly the most obvious statement ever uttered by a director, but the guy isn’t wrong. To be fair, Man of Steel was certainly a darker take on the character than James Gunn’s Superman, but it sounds like del Toro thinks Gunn’s version is the way the character should be portrayed, and the filmmaker knows he’s not the right guy for that sort of movie.

Guillermo del Toro’s praise for Superman seems to be specifically because he knows he wouldn’t make that sort of movie himself. He knows the sort of director he is, and what he can do. He appreciates what a filmmaker like James Gunn did with Superman specifically because he couldn’t have done that. He seems to feel Gunn’s version is what Superman should be. Here he looks elsewhere. Del Toro continued…

Del Toro’s attempt to make a Justice League Dark movie is a bit more well known than this Superman story. The project was confirmed around the same time Man of Steel was released and the then new DCEU was getting going. It's possible that del Toro's talks for Superman eventually shifted into Justice League Dark specifically because he knew that would be more in his wheelhouse.

Of course, del Toro doesn’t technically admit that was ever involved in Man of Steel, but if you look at the way he reacts physically to the question, there’s really no doubt. Check it out.

As an intellectual exercise, I would still love to see a Guillermo del Toro version of a Superman movie, but I completely understand why he would ultimately walk away from it. Now how do we get him and James Gunn together to make a Gotham by Gaslight movie because that needs to happen like yesterday.

Fans who follow Zack Snyder on social media have probably noticed a recent run of posts highlighting Henry Cavill’s Superman and other moments from his era of the DCEU. The director has been steadily revisiting his DC work over the past few weeks, sharing behind-the-scenes looks, portrait shots, and sometimes a full paragraph about what those characters meant to him. It’s sparked plenty of speculation among fans, especially with Cavill’s Supes still holding a significant emotional foothold in the fandom.

Snyder’s latest Instagram post adds some clarity — and maybe even a little fuel. In a new update, he celebrated passing 500,000 followers and thanked fans for sticking with him and his take on DC mythology. He also explained why he’s been posting so many images from his films: these characters mean something to him, and he’s moved that they still mean something to the audience, too. As he put it, “seeing that resonate with so many of you means the world.”

The Justice League director’s comments help explain the recent wave of Cavill photos — this isn’t just nostalgia bait. It’s more like a personal victory lap for a filmmaker whose vision remains hotly debated but deeply loved in certain corners of the fandom. As he so eloquently put it:

It’s clear that the visionary filmmaker’s Supes, in particular, continues to draw some of the strongest reactions, and each new photo of The Witcher veteran star in one of the fan favorite big screen Superman suits sends fans right back into the dream of what his completed trilogy might’ve looked like. There are a lot of people in one corner of the fandom who, even nearly four years after Cavill’s last turn as the Man of Steel, are not ready to let the past go. Let’s take a look at what some of the fans are saying.

How Zack Snyder’s Post Sparked A Wave Of Hype

Snyder’s latest post of the British actor didn’t just get likes — it set off a full-on eruption in the comments. Here are some of the standout reactions from longtime supporters of the Rebel Moon filmmaker:

• @supermanfitt: “Please tell me you’re finishing the trilogy 🔥”
• @james_c_colbourne: “The best Superman since Christopher Reeves. 💯”
• @kkymbb: “The detail on the suit goes crazyy.”
• @livingonmars2005: “I need him back, man. And Affleck, and Leto, and the team 🔥🔥”
• @beingsubhasish_: “#restoresnyderverse 🥹❤️”
• @cintropix: “Definitely the one and only Superman!”
• @patrick_cosplay03: “[Netflix], LET THIS MAN FINISH WHAT HE STARTED!!! #restorethesnyderverse”
• @__abhiram__j: “Posting–Cooking–Sleeping–Repeat 😐🔥”
• @elcaballerodragon: “My Superman.”
• @spider_fan.fact: “[Netflix], please do it”
• @gariusdabat: “We are so back, yall 🔥🔥”

The timing is hard to miss. DC is in the middle of a major transition, with James Gunn and Peter Safran building a new universe and Netflix preparing to acquire Warner Bros. and take over the wider DC library. The DCEU architect highlighting Cavill now brings fans back to a version of Superman that hit differently — one whose story never felt fully finished. Whether Snyder means anything beyond appreciation is unclear, but the reaction shows the interest is still there.

For now, his post is only that: a post sparking tons of fan speculation. There’s no hidden announcement and no confirmed future for Cavill’s Superman, just the Army of the Dead creator’s continued fondness for the character. Fans can revisit his era of DC, all still streaming (for now) with an HBO Max subscription. Whether anything more comes of this remains unknown, but Zack Snyder’s Last Son of Krypton clearly isn’t fading from memory anytime soon.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular. And while DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has been crafting a new shared universe (with the first slate of projects called Gods and Monsters), another twist came thanks to Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. and its properties. Following this news, there have been renewed calls by fans to restore the SnyderVerse.

Following the release of Zack Snyder's Justice League (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription), the filmmaker's fans started campaigning for the studio to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse and allow him to produce his two planned Justice League sequels. While there's been no indication of this actually happening, Netflix's deal with Warner Bros. has some fans feeling hopeful. And they're taking to Twitter to make their voices known, check it out below:

Indeed, if you search the hashtag there are plenty of fans out there who are finding new hope for the SnyderVerse in the wake of Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. and HBO Max. Because while James Gunn has been methodically crafting a new shared universe, there's a chance that his new deal could open the door for big changes to the DCU.

Snyder's fans are super passionate about his scrapped plans for the DCEU, even after Superman's box office performance earlier this year. The reshoots for The Snyder Cut only increased this, with his version of Justice League teasing things to come. Plenty of folks are sounding off online about keep hope alive amidst the recent shakeup in the industry. Another tweet reads:

While this person is speaking about big genre franchises, there are bound to be major affects in the industry as a whole as a result of Netflix and Warner Bros. deal if it goes through. Some people online are even calling for new leadership behind DC Studios, with one Tweet reading:

Given that we're still quite early in James Gunn's overall plans for the DCU, this seems unlikely. But there are tons of questions and hypotheticals about what might happen within the studio amidst the deal. There are a ton of studio plans outside of the superhero genre that are being similarly questioned by fans and industry folks alike.

Fans of Zack Snyder are known for their dedication, as well as the ways they tried to get his version of Justice League released for years. That includes flying a plane asking for The Snyder Cut over Southern California. One fan tweeted out his passion for trying to make the larger SnyderVerse a reality, posting:

A ton of the fans are using footage from Zack Snyder's Justice League to share their excitement about the future. One of which shows Jared Leto's Joker, who finally got a scene with Ben Affleck's Batman thanks to the aforementioned reshoots. Check it out:

Whether or not this actually happens remains to be seen, and it does feel like a long shot. But the same was said about the Snyder Cut ever seeing the light of day, and that miraculously ended up happening. As such, we should expect this type of ongoing fan response for the foreseeable future.

The next upcoming DC movie heading to theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for the former DCEU, that can be re-watched over on HBO Max.

In 2021, comedian and Star Trek: Discovery alum Tig Notaro starred in Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead. Notaro was brought aboard to replace Chris D’Elia after he was cut from the Netflix subscription-exclusive movie due to sexual misconduct allegations, and while she shot her scenes on green screen and only performed opposite one other member of the main cast, evidently she had a good time working with Snyder. That’s most recently been proven by how Snyder and Notaro are reteaming for a “hot lesbian action” movie, and I don’t blame the former for wanting to make it after hearing how the latter pitched it to him.

Army of the Dead may have received mixed reviews, but Tig Notaro got quite the confidence boost from working on the zombie flick, so it makes sense why she’d want to work with Zack Snyder again. After recalling the events that led to her being cast in the movie, Tig Notaro shared the following during her appearance on On with Kara Swisher:

Tig Notaro starred in Army of the Dead as Mariane Peters, the helicopter pilot whom Dave Bautista’s Scott Ward recruited to the team that was tasked with infiltrating a zombie-infested Las Vegas to retrieve $200 million from a casino vault before the city was nuked. Mariane was one of the movie’s many casualties, but hearing all these positive comments about her role prompted Notaro to get back in touch with Zack Snyder about collaborating on a different project. As she recalled:

It’s simple, yet effective. A tagline like that will certainly put butts in seats, and I’m definitely intrigued to learn what other hot lesbians would join Tig Notaro in the cast. That prompted Kara Swisher to ask what this movie will be called, and Notaro answered:

So Zack Snyder is clearly eager to make Deviants with Tig Notaro, but when will this happen? Well, if the script is being worked on right now, we’re likely at least several years out from the movie being made, if not longer. Let’s also not forget that although Snyder’s plans to expand the Army of the Dead universe fell through (as did continuing the Rebel Moon franchise), he’s keeping busy with a few other movies. In November 2024, it was reported that he’s going to make a movie about the Los Angeles Police Department for Netflix, and then in March, word came in he’s also going to helm Brawler, which revolves around the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

However long it takes to get Deviants off the ground, I look forward to seeing Tig Notaro and the other hot lesbians kick ass in this “small-timey” action movie. In the meantime, you can see Notaro reprising her Star Trek: Discovery role of Jett Reno when Starfleet Academy premieres to Paramount+ subscription-holders on January 15.

If any Batman suit looked like it could punch through a wall, it was the armored one Ben Affleck wore in Batman v Superman. Heavy, brutal, and unapologetically mech-inspired, it has always been a fan favorite. But Zack Snyder somehow made it look even sharper. He shared a new behind-the-scenes shot on social media, and the image gives the suit a graphic-novel level of grit. It honestly might be the best Batsuit ever photographed.

Snyder posted a monochrome photo to his official Instagram captioned “Leica monochrome hard suit test BvS,” confirming he shot it with the Leica Monochrom camera he’s been experimenting with lately. The post blew up fast. Fans praised the suit, filled the comments with excitement, and immediately pushed for something bigger: another Snyder-directed DC project. The appetite for his universe clearly hasn’t faded.

Snyder has been building significant momentum on Instagram since joining the platform two months ago. He recently posted a monochrome shot of Henry Cavill in his Superman suit, and each new post has only added fuel to the idea that fans desperately want a return to this world, even if it’s just in the form of unseen photos and behind-the-scenes looks.

This new armored-suit shot is the strongest one yet. The texture feels more real than ever. The stance radiates the Frank Miller energy that fans have always connected with in Affleck’s take. It’s the kind of photo that instantly reminds people why this version of live-action Batman still hits so hard nearly a decade later.

Fan Reactions To Snyder's Batman Mech Suit

Of course, what would a bts pic from the now-defunct Snyderverse be if there weren’t a ton of fans chiming in? Here are some of the standout reactions that hit the director's post within hours:

• motion.picture_updates: “Ben Affleck's Batman movie.
  he film would've taken place in Arkham Asylum, and Batman would face Deathstroke as well as ending up fighting against the Joker.
  WE NEED THIS 😭”
• gabriel.soareszz: “I love this costume! That’s pure Frank Miller!”
• zacksnyderfans: “Batfleck forever ❤️”
• ravi_or_raj: “There will never be a better Batman on-screen 😢”
• geekhouseshow: “Holy Bat 😮🦇🔥”
• keography: “Just announce it now I’m tired of waiting, let’s go”
• _expecto_patronam: “Holy shitttt🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️❤️… Ben is our Batman😭♥️”adriianalan: “Bro this is so good OMFG 😭😭😭”
• tommcjl: “BLACK AND BLUE. FIGHT NIGHT! THE GREATEST GLADIATOR MATCH IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. GOD VERSUS MAN. DAY VERSUS NIGHT. SON OF KRYPTON VERSUS BAT OF GOTHAM”
• iam_vanessanoel: “The definitive Batman 🦇🔥”
• makethebatfleckmovie: “#MakeTheBatfleckMovie #RestoreTheSnyderVerse”
• restorezsjl: “This suit is incredible. I really hope we get to see more awesome tech upgrades in the future #MakeTheBatfleckMovie #RestoreTheSnyderVerse.”
• delroyrossgmail.com2: “That's what I'm talking about. Dark Knight... Will Return. #restorethesnyderverse All Day."

The responses go on for hundreds more, most of them carrying the same theme of fans not ready to let this version of The Dark Knight go. Still, is there any chance this version of Bats could make a return?

What Could Snyder’s Post Really Mean?

Any time Zack Snyder shares a new image tied to his DC era, speculation starts instantly. Fans want to believe it hints at a secret revival, a surprise project, or some last-minute twist that puts Ben Affleck’s Batman back in the spotlight. But the reality is far less dramatic, and all signs point in the opposite direction.

James Gunn’s new DCU has already kicked off with the hit 2025 movie release, Superman, the first full reset of the franchise. Supergirl arrives next year. Gunn even retconned the Peacemaker Season 1 finale in Season 2 by swapping the previous Snyderverse heroes for his new Hawkgirl and Green Lantern, making it clear the baton has officially been passed. On top of that, Matt Reeves's The Batman Part II continues as an Elseworlds project outside the main continuity, locking down another version of the Dark Knight for 2027.

Put all of that together, and there’s almost no path where Snyder’s Batman returns in any official capacity. This new photo is most likely exactly what it looks like: a filmmaker posting a striking behind-the-scenes shot because he likes the image and knows fans enjoy seeing it.

Still, the reaction proves something important. Even in a fully rebooted DC landscape, Snyder’s Batman leaves a mark. I mean, how could it not, looking this badass?

You can revisit nearly every version of Batman, including Bat-Fleck, streaming with an HBO Max subscription.

As popular as Instagram amongst celebrities, there are still some who are only now just joining the platform, and that includes Zack Snyder. The fan-favorite filmmaker just launched his account in October and, since then, he’s been racking up followers. Most of Snyder’s posts are filled with behind-the-scenes stills from his various films, including those that are part of the DC Extended Universe. Henry Cavill’s Superman has appeared in a few, and Snyder just dropped another Supes pic as he marked a social media milestone.

This weekend, Zack Snyder returned to Instagram to commemorate the fact that he hit over 400,000 followers. Considering he only joined the platform last month, that’s a very impressive feat. It makes sense that he’d want to celebrate that accomplishment, and I’m digging the fact that he used a pic of the DCEU’s Last Son of Krypton to do it. Check out the black-and-white photo below, which shows Henry Cavill – in costume - at the center of a set:

When it comes to this photo, the 300 helmer – who apparently shot this on his iPhone – didn’t specify which of his DCU movies it was taken from. My guess would be that this is either from the set of Man of Steel or Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, though. What I appreciate is that Snyder’s stream of posts seem to convey just how much he still relishes his time making his superhero movies. These tidbits also serve as cool tidbits that pull back the curtain on his gigantic blockbusters.

It also seems Zack Snyder has a particular fondness for the Big Blue Boy Scout, particularly Henry Cavill’s iteration of the hero. As a matter of fact, upon joining IG, Snyder immediately made it clear that Cavill was Superman in his eyes. Opinions on that front vary, especially given David Corenswet’s winning performance as Kal-El in the DCU. However, it’s hard not to love the fact that Snyder is still such an ardent proponent of Cavill’s Supes and is dropping photos of him in his “natural setting.”

Kal-El isn’t the only DCEU character who’s been showcased on Snyder’s Instagram account as of late. The director also recently shared one of his favorite photos of Ben Affleck’s Batman, and the snapshot gives all sorts of “Sadfleck” vibes. Additionally, Snyder posted a photo of Jared Leto’s Joker, with various fans subsequently commenting that they’d love to see more of that version of the Clown Prince of Crime.

Zack Snyder’s posts seemingly have fans feeling nostalgic for the DCEU continuity, which formally concluded with 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Since then, many have been rallying for the fictional universe to be revived and built upon in some form or fashion. At present, the chances of that happening seem slim, considering Warner Bros. and the newly established DC Studios are moving along with DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters.

Still, the DCEU films still exist as they are and fans can still discuss and appreciate them as they so choose. As for Snyder, I wouldn’t be surprised if he continues to drop behind-the-scenes photos from those superhero movies. If that is indeed the case, I could also see his follower count on Instagram only increasing with time.

Those who’d like to check out the DCEU films can watch them now using an HBO Max subscription. Also, keep your eyes peeled for updates on upcoming DC movies.

If there’s one thing fans of new superhero movies love more than a good box-office showdown, it’s the directors themselves getting in on the discourse. And this week, DC diehards got precisely that. A side-by-side comparison of Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel and James Gunn’s Superman has been making the rounds online, tallying up each film’s global haul and—more importantly—the estimated number of tickets sold. But then something unexpected happened. Eagle-eyed fans spotted Zack Snyder reacting to Man of Steel beating Superman at the Box office.

According to a recent post from BadSanta Gaming on Instagram, eagle-eyed users noticed something surprising in the likes: a heart from Zack Snyder himself. The image—showing Cavill’s Man of Steel at roughly 82 million tickets sold versus David Corenswet’s Superman at around 36 million—made a splash, but not quite like it did once fans discovered the director’s alleged interaction. And naturally, that sent the conversation into overdrive.

Fans React To Snyder’s Subtle Signal

Whether Snyder was co-signing the conversation or just double-tapping out of nostalgia for seeing Cavill back in the cape, fans immediately treated it like a quiet endorsement and wasted no time sounding off. Some of the loudest reactions included:

• @Sami_ahmed_07 – “Bro Snyder actually liked this reel.”
• @Raiyan_aazi – “Zack liked it, so approved.”
• @jimcarreylul – “Zack just liked this post.”
• @umanmr87 – “Cavil is the superman forever”
• @meditationsandy – “Whoever let Henry Cavill go as Superman should be fired! He was the best Superman of all time.”
• @hamza_X_mirza – “Yo zack Snyder liked it!”
• @Dish2_025 – “@hamza_x_mirza fake”
• @brokewayne105 – “Ain't no way boy, ain't no way boss liked this😭”
• @alanous – “Good numbers don’t equate to good movies”

Some fans treated the director’s alleged like as a full-on seismic event, while others argued it had to be fake and wasn’t the real Snyder. Either way, one thing is clear: the fans of the now defunct DCEU still aren’t ready to let the past go.

What Snyder’s Double-Tap Actually Adds to the Superman Conversation

The numbers alone were enough to spark debate, but Snyder’s alleged “like” pushed things into a whole new lane. Comparing films more than a decade apart is already messy—especially when ticket prices have nearly doubled—but that didn’t stop fans from framing the graphic as fresh proof of Man of Steel’s long-term staying power. Gunn’s Superman is still in the early days of its cultural run. Yet, Snyder loyalists see the ticket-sales comparison as validation that Cavill’s debut has solidified itself as a modern cult cornerstone.

And honestly, it’s rare to see a filmmaker of Snyder’s profile interact with box-office debate posts at all. Whether his tap was a genuine nod to the discourse, a quiet salute to Cavill’s tenure, or just a casual like fired off while scrolling through Instagram, the fandom grabbed hold of it like it was gospel.

With James Gunn’s DCU still in its infancy and Superman acting as Chapter One’s foundation, these comparisons aren’t going anywhere. And if Snyder keeps showing up in the likes, intentionally or not? The temperature of these debates is only going to climb.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, thanks to various cinematic universes in play. While DC co-CEO James Gunn is forming a new universe, fan are still unpacking the events of the DCEU (which is streaming in its entirety with a HBO Max subscription). One of the most controversial moments was Superman killing Zod in Man of Steel, and now Michael Shannon is responding to the discourse surrounding that twist.

Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order will recall that the chatter surrounding Zod's death has been consistent, despite Man of Steel hitting theaters back in 2013. While Henry Cavill defended this choice, Shannon recently offered his two cents during a conversation with Vanity Fair about his career. The actor addressed this twist, saying:

Points were made. It's not like Superman killed Zod out of rage or a quest for power. Instead, following the massive destruction around Metropolis, he is forced to choose between snapping Zod's neck or letting the villain kill more people before his eyes. Ultimately Henry Cavill's hero had to do the unthinkable to save people, even if he's left completely distraught afterwards.

Zack Snyder got a ton of flak for having Superman kill at the end of Man of Steel, and he's not the only hero. Similarly, Batman killing in Batman v Superman was also the subject of backlash for the visionary filmmaker. Later in the same interview, Michael Shannon went on to sing Snyder's praises, sharing:

Points were made. Whether or not you agree with Snyder's directorial choices in the DCEU, he has a clear point of view in his storytelling. That includes having heroes who typically don't kill in the comics abandon these values under specific circumstances. Superman was never seen killing again in Batman v Superman or Justice League, so it's possible that his no killing rule actually started as a result of executing General Zod in Man of Steel.

Snyder was originally planning a five-movie storyline for the DCEU, but that never came to fruition. But after Zack Snyder's Justice League was released, fans began campaigning for Warner Bros. to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse. Unfortunately for those fans, there's no indication that this is happening, especially now that we've got a new DC shared universe.

The next upcoming DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Michael Shannon, his new TV series Death By Lightning is streaming now in its entirety for those with a Netflix subscription.

Zack Snyder knows how to get folks talking, especially about his time making new DC movies. Now he’s stoked the fires once again by sharing a single behind-the-scenes pic to his social media. On Monday, the director posted a new photo of Jared Leto’s Joker, and within minutes, the comments section was flooded with a unified (if slightly unrealistic) demand.

Snyder took to Instagram, sharing a shot he took on set, using a Leica monochrome camera and a 50mm “dream lens.” The result? A stark, haunting image, which you can see below, of Leto’s long-haired Clown Prince of Crime in full SWAT gear, marching down a dim hallway, rifle slung over his shoulder like the world’s most chaotic soldier. And apparently, fans want to see more of this Joker in an upcoming superhero movie, now.

The Rebel Moon filmmaker has always known how to craft a striking frame, whether it’s on film or in a single still image—and this monochrome shot is no exception. As impressive as the photo is, I’m not entirely convinced I need to see this version of the Joker return to the big screen. But judging by the comments under Snyder’s post, I’m very much in the minority on that.

How Fans Are Reacting To The Leto Image

The image appears to be from the “Knightmare” sequence originally teased in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, where Batman envisions a post-apocalyptic future. Leto’s Joker, sporting smeared makeup, a tattered robe, and now apparently a Gotham SWAT vest, made his brief but unforgettable debut in that alternate reality. And if this new image is anything to go by, fans are still deeply invested in whatever else Snyder might have left in the tank.

Here’s what the comments had to say:

• “We need more of this Joker!!” — @mahertheviking
• “We need to see what happened to Robin!!! Leto's Joker could have been amazing!!!” — @paolo.ribe1
• “Yes, please, more! Everybody is gathering around your beautiful pictures. Keep posting, we are here, we are not moving on.” — @lowrysam1984
• “My Joker 🃏” — @colecionatoy
• “The end is near 🔥” — @hwhwuuuuu
• “OMG! We missed so much in SnyderVerse. Need to be #Restored” — @bilal_ahmad_batman
• “We NEED to see the Knightmare timeline play out. We need JL2.” — @restorezsjl

As you can see, there is no shortage of Snyder fans hoping for, while more than likely in vain, a Justice League 2. With the recently rebooted DCU universe’s Chapter One chugging along, I can’t imagine that would happen, but hey, you never know.

But not everyone was on board. Here are a few dissenters who filled Snyder’s comments:

• “The worst Joker ever, it’s okay that this universe is dead now, we don’t really need it.” – @Snareone_
• “Alright idk abt Jared Letos joker 😂” – @Pump2ss
• “You want him to kill your dc (again) like he kills tron?” – @grrkj

Some commenters even went so far as to thank Warner Bros. for scrapping the DCEU. But even those voices were drowned out by the sheer wave of enthusiasm calling for the return of Snyder’s darker, more damaged universe and Leto’s Joker right along with it.

Whether this photo means anything beyond a flashback or a fan tease is unclear. But one thing is obvious, and that is that Snyder still knows how to drop a breadcrumb that gets the entire fandom talking. If nothing else, it proves there’s still a passionate corner of the internet who aren’t ready to let the Snyderverse go.

If you want to revisit Snyder and Leto’s short but clearly impactful time in the DC movie canon, you can stream all the movies in the DCEU with an HBO Max subscription.

Zack Snyder’s been active on social media lately, as the fan-favorite director recently joined Instagram. During his time on the platform, Snyder has been treating fans to behind-the-scenes tidbits from his various films, including his DC Extended Universe installments. Some may not be surprised to hear that the director has been posting about Henry Cavill’s Superman. And, with his latest post about the British actor’s superhero role, Snyder managed to get fans truly pumped in the comment section.

Weeks ago, the Army of the Dead helmer shared a photo of the DCEU’s Last Son of Krypton and declared that Henry Cavill was Superman. That post was met with a number of fans who seemed to agree with the sentiment. Snyder didn’t make as bold a declaration with his more recent post, which includes a photo of a film reel with Cavill as Supes. This time around, Snyder was apparently trying to capture “Henry in his natural setting.” Check out the Instagram post:

The photos Zack Snyder has been sharing are indeed cool, and this one is no different. What this photo essentially symbolizes is the relationship between an actor and the camera. In other words, Snyder is suggesting that being on camera is the natural place for his former leading man to be, which is a kind sentiment – and a true one. Cavill has dazzled on the big screen in a number of roles, and he possesses a distinct kind of charm that continues to endear him to audiences.

On that note, Cavill fans seemed genuinely hyped by this latest photo. Many of the comments feature celebratory sentiments, with superhero aficionados declaring that the Man from U.N.C.L.E. star is indeed their Superman. Check out some of the reactions:

• HENRY CAVILL is Superman, I want them to Bring him back 😢 - @lord_plaga
• My favorite Superman ❤️ - @fighterfigs_offical
• No questions. 'Henry is Superman.' - @_whyraj__
• Oh my god, Superman ! ❤️🦸🏻‍♂️ - @zacksnyderfans
• This is the Superman of our generation. - @jeremie.bon
• Henry will forever be the perfect cast as Superman 💙 - @cristian.arriagada.art

Henry Cavill made his debut as the Big Blue Boy Scout in Snyder’s 2013 film Man of Steel, which kickstarted the DCEU. The actor’s tenure in the role ultimately concluded with 2022’s Black Adam, as his Supes appeared via a cameo pushed, in part, by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the film’s producer and leading man. Since then, the DCU continuity has emerged under the stewardship of James Gunn, and David Corenswet landed the role of the titular hero in Gunn’s Superman. While some fans have been upset about Cavill not continuing in the role, others believe Gunn’s take on Supes succeeds in ways that the DCEU’s MoS didn’t.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and can have their favorites accordingly, of course. Still, it seems that many are still carrying a torch for Zack Snyder's iteration of Kal-El, and that rings true for other characters the filmmaker oversaw. Just recently, his photo of Ben Affleck’s Batman garnered similar reactions. It’s highly doubtful that Snyder’s posts are meant to tease an upcoming DC movie but are instead just tributes to the actors he worked alongside for years.

Those who’d love to revisit the films that make up the DCEU can stream them now using an HBO Max subscription.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, although the DC side of things is in a transitional period. The old DCEU (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription) is dead, with co-CEO James Gunn crafting an entirely new shared universe. But Zack Snyder has been sharing BTS images from his time in the DCEU lately, and after posting a throwback of Ben Affleck's Batman fans are saying the same thing.

We're already three titles into the new DCU, with the first slate of projects called Gods and Monsters. But fans are still unpacking the DCEU, and Snyder's recent Instagram posts are only adding fuel to that fire. Case in point: the following image of Affleck suited up as Gotham's Protector. Check it out below:

Even though Batman v Superman's reviews resulted in that Sad Affleck meme, you can't deny that the Oscar-winning filmmaker/actor looked awesome in Bruce Wayne's signature armor. Plus Ben Affleck got super ripped to play the role, bringing a hulking physicality to the fan favorite DC hero. Unfortunately he only got to star in two movies, in addition to cameos in Suicide Squad and The Flash.

Fans who watched the DC movies in order will recall how much hype surrounding Affleck's casting as Batman. I loved the jaded and brutal version of the character we saw in Batman v Superman, as well as the lighter version who appeared in Justice League. But Affleck's Batman movie never happened, and fans in the comments section of Snyder's post are posting their continued interest in that concept. Check out some responses below:

• Give Ben a year to get in shape and then give him and Zack ONE solo Batman film and we will all be happy - chrisdolimusic
• This depresses me. We should have gotten a solo Batfleck movie. - jwaltonsu
• #RestoretheSnyderVerse - slykane
• Please God, give us Ben Affleck’s solo movie. 🙏🏻😢 - movieswood17
• #MakeTheBatfleckMovie #RestoreTheSnyderVerse - georgeseia

The comments section is filled with these types of responses. This shouldn't be all that surprising, as Zack Snyder has a legion of royal fans who are passionate about his vision for the DCEU. Their campaign to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut eventually worked, which is why they're continuing to make their voices known in the above post of Ben Affleck.

There's no indication that Warner Bros. will #RestoreTheSnyderVerse, and therefore allow the filmmaker two produce his two planned Justice League sequels. After all, a new shared universe has already joined the chat. But with Snyder continuing to post these throwbacks, smart money says the discourse will continue.

The next upcoming DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to wait and see what images Snyder ends up posting on his social media next.

When James Gunn took the reins of DC Studios, fans immediately began speculating who the Ultimate villain of the slate of upcoming DC movies would be. After all, every great superhero saga needs a great big bad, and for many DC fans, that name has always been Darkseid. But according to the mastermind behind the gods and monsters of the DCU and beyond, the Universe might not be headed in that direction at all.

In a recent interview with New Rockstars’ YouTube channel, the Superman director opened up about the challenges of setting up the long-term arc for the rebooted DC Universe and addressed why one of DC’s most iconic villains might not fit into his plans right now. While the Studio head is known for keeping details close to the chest, his comments suggest a surprising shift in direction for the recently launched DC Universe over the next decade. And in classic Gunn fashion, he managed to shout out Zack Snyder in the process. He explained:

It’s a revealing, and surprisingly candid, statement from the man now guiding the studio’s creative future. While Gunn has praised Snyder’s influence before, this marks one of the first times he’s acknowledged the specific creative overlap between the two cinematic universes. After all, Snyder’s Justice League cut (streaming with an HBO Max subscription) gave fans one of the most memorable portrayals of Darkseid to date, and Marvel’s Thanos storyline has dominated pop culture for over a decade.

It's more than apparent that the Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker is very cognizant of what’s already been done in the new superhero movie space and isn’t necessarily interested in retreading familiar territory, especially as they move forward with an entirely new DC continuity. Instead, his approach seems focused on exploring fresh threats rather than simply escalating the scale of destruction.

That doesn’t mean Darkseid is off the table forever. The DC bench is deep and the universe is vast, not to mention Gunn has already hinted that the story he’s telling will unfold over multiple “chapters,” mirroring Marvel’s phased storytelling but with its own tone and rhythm. By the time the DCU reaches its Infinity War-level event, the ultimate villain could look very different; maybe someone more grounded, or even personally connected to Superman. Given that the upcoming Man of Tomorrow has been described as a “Superman and Lex vs. a bigger threat” story, it’s not hard to imagine that this next major foe could be introduced there. Many fans, myself included, are betting that the mastermind in question will be Brainiac.

The next generation of DC storytelling might not start with Darkseid as its big bad, but it might eventually circle back to him, but I imagine it'll be in a way we don’t expect. For now, though, James Gunn’s focus seems clear, and that is no copycatting of cosmic villains that Zack Snyder already touched on. Though Gunn did give the Man of Steel filmmaker his flowers, he isn't looking to retread what’s already been done. And I can get on board with that.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, as well as fodder for internet memes. The former DCEU (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription) was no exception, especially at the height of its popularity. Case in point: the sad Ben Affleck meme, which came when the actor/director was told (on camera) that Batman v Superman was getting mixed reviews. Filmmaker Zack Snyder recently posted his "favorite" photo of Affleck as Batman, and it's unfortunately giving serious Sadfleck vibes.

Fans who watched the DC movies in order will recall how much hype was around Zack Snyder's trilogy of DCEU movies. Batman v Superman introduced Ben Affleck's version of Bruce Wayne, but also unfortunately made him a meme. Snyder recently posted a set photo to his brand new Instagram, and I can't stop thinking about that Sad Affleck meme. Check it out below:

I mean, can you blame me? Gotham's Protector looks thoroughly exasperated in this image, rocking his costume from the Knightmare Reality and hanging his head low. It's a striking image, but one that feels like it could easily be made into a meme. Long life Sad Affleck!

Hardcore DC fans will recognize that Batman is wearing his costume from the alternate Knightmare universe, which was seen briefly in both Batman v Superman as well as Zack Snyder's Justice League. Since Affleck did reshoot for the latter, it's unclear which of these titles the above image is actually from. Still, it looks pretty cool (and meme-able).

While Ben Affleck admitted he's sick of people thinking he's grumpy, the Oscar winning filmmaker has a penchant for looking bummed out at public events. I mean, who can forget Affleck looking miserable at the Grammys while attending with JLO in 2023? Plenty of us have RBF, but being a celebrity means everyone gets to see those moments, which promptly go viral.

This image of Ben Affleck comes shortly after Zack Snyder posted a picture of Henry Cavill, with the caption "Henry Cavill is Superman." This turned heads since James Gunn's Superman introduced the David Corenswet version of the Man of Steel. Was he throwing shade or just hyping up his version of the character? We may never know.

The fact that the 300 filmmaker has been sharing these new images will likely inspire some fans to continue campaigning for Warner Bros. to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse. Despite the new DCU already happening, some Snyder fans would like the director to get the chance to helm his two planned Justice League sequels. Alas, there's no indication that the studio is interested in this plan of action.

The next upcoming DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. There's currently no plans for Ben Affleck to return as Batman, but that won't stop some fans from keeping their fingers (and batarangs) crossed.

Zack Snyder might be late to Instagram, but he wasted no time making his stance on one of DC’s most debated topics very clear: who’s the definitive Superman? While many, including myself, think James Gunn’s take on the Kryptonian hero improved on a lot of the problems we had with Snyder’s Man of Steel, the filmmaker, known for his fiercely loyal fanbase, made his debut on the social media platform this week and immediately used his first post to reaffirm who he sees as the definitive ranked Man of Steel.

In one of his first uploads, the 300 director shared a moody black-and-white behind-the-scenes photo of Cavill suited up from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, shot on his beloved Leica monochrome 50mm Noctilux lens. His Instagram post, which can be seen below, was captioned with a short, deliberate, and unmistakably on-brand caption from the Sucker Punch filmmaker: “Henry Cavill is Superman.”

The post instantly caught fire among Snyder fans, many of whom have long championed Cavill’s portrayal as the definitive version of the iconic character. However, the update also reignited the never-ending debate on who is the best actor in the role of the Last Son of Krypton, especially since James Gunn’s reboot starring David Corenswet hit the 2025 release schedule and was a commercial and critical success–officially launching the slate of new DCU movies.

What Fans Are Saying In the Comments?

Within hours, the post’s comments turned into a passionate (and sometimes chaotic) clash between loyalists of the Watchmen director and fans of DC’s new direction. Here is a temperature check of what folks are saying after the director posted his Cavill pic:

• “Girl, move on.” – @thepurecinema
• “@thepurecinema, hey, I’m a fan of your page and your content. I’m a bit disappointed to see you being negative to a creator and his own content. I figured you of all people could understand sharing cinema and how awesome it can be to post on social media for everyone to appreciate. Try to be kinder.” – @joro_oz
• “@joro_oz, I guess the difference is he lives off of others’ content and doesn’t really ‘create’ anything of his own. Jealousy breeds negativity.” – @harshitsharma91
• “Henry Cavill is the Superman! Come back Zack Snyder, you are the best.” – @gustavo_bgx
• “OHHHH MY HEART 😍 my Supermán.” – @lis.wonder
• “David Corenswet is actually Superman. Hope this helps!” – @brendanwilloughbyray
• “@brendanwilloughbyray, Christopher Reeve is Superman. The part's just on loan 😝” – @samuel__prior

As you can see, the debate covers just about every corner of the fandom — from those still loyal to Cavill, to fans who believe Corenswet is the Superman they’ve been waiting for, to others nostalgic for Christopher Reeve’s charm and classic swoop. Wherever you land, there’s something to appreciate in every version of the Man of Steel.

The Army of the Dead creator’s message comes through loud and clear, despite the heated back-and-forth in the comments. His loyalty to Henry Cavill, who first donned the cape in 2013’s Man of Steel, hasn’t wavered. Even though there were very divided reactions to his take on the hero of Metropolis, Snyder has consistently praised Cavill as “the perfect Superman,” crediting him for balancing strength with vulnerability.

And, for fans wanting to revisit their favorite version of the Big Blue Boy Scout, the good news is you don’t have to pick sides; Man of Steel and the rest of DC’s legacy titles are available to stream with an HBO Max subscription.

I, for one, loved David Corenswet’s performance as Clark Kent and his superhero alter ego. Still, even if the DC Universe has moved on to its next chapter, Gods & Monsters, one thing is certain, and that is that in Zack Snyder’s world, Henry Cavill will always be the Man of Steel.

The following contains spoilers for Superman.

James Gunn’s Superman is finally here, and with it comes a brand new DC Universe on both the big and small screens. While there’s a lot of excitement surrounding this brand-new franchise, it’s impossible to talk about the new movie without looking back at the last time an attempt to launch a DC Universe began with a different Superman, Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel.

While both might be Superman movies, it’s not a stretch to say the two take very different approaches to the Last Son of Krypton. While there will be no shortage of debates among fans regarding which is the best Superman movie, debates that I’m sure will be entirely reasonable and won’t devolve into complete social media meltdowns, I am among the contingent that preferred the new film. There are numerous reasons for that, but one of the biggest is the way both films tackle similar concepts, and the new Superman comes out better by doing less.

Zack Snyder's Deconstruction Of Superman Was On The Right Track

Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel deserves a lot of credit. The Christopher Reeve Superman movies had become such cultural icons for the character that the one time prior to Man of Steel that anybody tried to make a new Superman movie, they just tried to make a Christopher Reeve movie with different actors.

Zack Snyder took a fresh look at Superman and tried to modernize, and, more importantly, deconstruct, the most famous superhero ever. He asked questions about just how somebody like Superman would truly be received in a modern world. The answers to those questions set the tone in the movie.

Would an alien from another world with powers beyond imagination really be welcomed and embraced by humanity? Certainly not by everybody, and Man of Steel, and the old DCEU more broadly, understand this. Of course, humanity would be scared of somebody like Superman. Even if he used his power for the good of people, there would be those suspicious of him.

Man Of Steel’s Deconstruction Went Too Far

But then Man of Steel poses another question on top of that. What if Superman were the savior of a planet that should not be saved? The question of whether humanity is worthy of being saved is largely the purview of the sequel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but the question can be traced back to the earlier film and Jonathan Kent teaching his son that maybe Clark saving people isn't the most important thing Superman could be doing.

A lot of people took issue with this shift in the way the Kent family is traditionally portrayed. I didn’t have a problem with it on its own. The new Superman movie also makes some significant changes to the traditional motivations of Superman’s parents. If this had been the only major change to a “traditional” Superman story, it would have been fine.

People are, largely, terrible, after all. Even Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black can tell you that. While Superman may traditionally see the good in humanity, it’s certainly an interesting idea to see how he might react if he had trouble seeing the good in us and only saw the pettiness and hate that all too often, unfortunately, seem to take the spotlight.

Either of these questions that deconstruct the Superman character in different ways are worthy of contemplation in a Superman movie. Unfortunately, by dealing with both questions at the same time, the story gets muddy. Any attempt to investigate one of these questions runs up against the other, and as a result, neither is able to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

Even over the course of the franchise, these interesting ideas aren’t given a chance to be fully realized. At the beginning of the theatrical cut of Justice League, we see a population that misses Superman following his death, seemingly forgetting people hadn't actually loved him before. While this change was likely due to Justice League's troubled production, the result is still a mess of a message.

James Gunn's Superman Is More Focused

James Gunn’s Superman certainly went in a different direction from Man of Steel in a lot of ways. That makes sense. Differentiating itself from the previous films was part of this movie’s job. Still, it does borrow something from Zack Snyder’s universe, as it also sees a world where humanity is less than willing to trust Superman.

While all indications are that humanity is largely supportive of Superman at the start of the film, in part because metahumans are nothing new in this universe, when evidence is presented that indicates Kal-El may not be the savior he appeared to be, people turn on him in a big way.

However, because Superman only deals with this one question, it’s able to focus on it and make this the driving force of the rest of Superman’s story. We get to see how he responds to being shunned by the people he’s made it his job to protect. When people begin to question Superman’s motives, he doesn’t question them, he questions himself.

Superman's Relationship With Humanity May Still Be A Factor In The DCU Going Forward

By the end of Superman, it certainly looks like the damage that Lex Luthor did to Superman’s reputation has been largely undone, but that’s not entirely certain. While most people may have come around, there will likely be those who remain unsure. It's not like everybody trusts the media. As such, this particular storyline may not be entirely done yet.

At this point, we have really no idea where things will go for Superman. There are a lot of upcoming DC movies and series planned to introduce many more characters, so it could be years before we even see Superman again. When we do, I wouldn’t hate to see Superman’s relationship with the populace to be at least a little strained.

I am still curious what a Superman fighting to save a people who aren’t sure they want to be saved by him would do to the big blue boy scout. It’s an interesting question. Zack Snyder wasn't wrong about that. And after this idea has been fully explored, maybe then it will be time to ask another question and deconstruct Superman a little more.

This year has seen the ushering in of a new era in the DC Universe. The DC Extended Universe came to an end in 2023 with the release of Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom, and with the arrival of Creature Commandos for HBO Max subscribers and Superman on the big screen has firmly launched the new DC Universe. It's a big change that compels one to be curious about the reaction of Zack Snyder, a key creative voice behind the DCEU... but he's not fully ready to comment yet. This is because he hasn't actually seen the new blockbuster from James Gunn yet – but his excuse would get the approval of Ma and Pa Kent.

Snyder is currently promoting the new Rebel Moon video game he has developed, and while speaking with Variety early last week, he was asked for his thoughts on Superman (which just had a massive opening weekend). It turns out that the filmmaker missed the film's debut in theaters, but it was because he was committed to family event:

It's a touch surprising that Zack Snyder didn't get an invite to see the film prior to its theatrical debut – but if you're wondering if there might be any bad blood here, history would suggest that's not the case. Twenty-one years ago, Snyder and James Gunn collaborated as director and screenwriter in the creation of 2004's acclaimed remake of Dawn Of The Dead, and they've remained in contact as the latter became the co-CEO of DC Studios and began rebooting the brand across film and streaming.

Back in February, James Gunn got some big reactions from the internet with a post on social media featuring him hanging out with Zack Snyder, and more recently, the two filmmakers joined forces for cameos in an episode of Rick And Morty that had them playing versions of themselves.

It's too bad that Zack Snyder hasn't seen Superman yet, but family comes first over movie-going expeditions. He'll hopefully get to see it soon, as it's a terrific cinematic experience – as I note at length in my four-and-a-half star CinemaBlend review.

For those of you curious what Snyder has been up to most recently in his post-DCEU career, you can check out Blood Line: A Rebel Moon Game, which is available to play with a Netflix subscription. And as for Superman, the film is looking to follow up its critically acclaimed arrival on the big screen this past weekend going up against competition from a trio of new releases: the legacyquel I Know What You Did Last Summer, the animated Smurfs reboot, and Ari Aster's dark comedy Eddington starring Joaquin Phoenix.

While I have never been a huge fan of Superman, James Gunn’s upcoming DC movie starring David Corenswet is one of my most anticipated upcoming 2025 movies. So, I figured now was a good time for me to finally get around to watching Zack Snyder’s 2013 interpretation of the last son of Krypton, Man of Steel.

The ridiculously divisive reception of the Henry Cavill-led Superman film led me to pass on checking it out for more than a decade, but I had a feeling my general lack of interest in the character would benefit me with an objective point of view so I could judge it fairly. Well, I ended up not caring much for it, and for many of the same reasons that disappointed even die-hard comic book fans. However, there was one aspect I assumed I would enjoy that sadly turned out to be the one thing I disliked most about Man of Steel. Allow me to explain…

Michael Shannon Was Wrong For Zod

Ever since I saw his performance in Take Shelter, a 2011 movie that gets honest about mental health, I have believed that Michael Shannon is one of the most talented actors alive. I have especially enjoyed some of his villainous roles, such as in Guillermo del Toro’s Best Picture Oscar winner, 2017’s The Shape of Water, so I was genuinely excited to finally see how he plays one of Superman’s archenemies, General Zod, in Man of Steel when I booted up my HBO Max subscription. However, my reaction to the performance may sound like heresy to other fans of the two-time Oscar nominee.

I recently wrote a listicle about miscast movie and TV villains, and had I seen Man of Steel then, I would have included Shannon’s Zod. Forgive me, but in my opinion, he lacks an authentic aura of menace needed to pull off an antagonist capable of creating such cataclysmic destruction. On top of that, I think he just feels generally out of place in the role, especially when interacting with fellow Kryptonians in the prologue. One could argue that is by design, based on the alien warrior’s opposition to how Krypton is governed, but it simply did not work for me, and that disappointed feeling lasted for the rest of the film.

Michael Shannon's Zod Might Have Worked In A Less Bleak Superman Movie

There is a part of me, however, that believes Shannon’s portrayal of Zod could have been an all-time great DC villain performance, but not in a movie like Man of Steel. You see, another major issue I have with the movie, which has also proved very divisive among fans, is that it takes itself just a little too seriously for its own good, especially when you consider that its lead hero is traditionally depicted as hopeful, positive, and fun. I cannot help but believe that the idea of having fun was also on Shannon’s mind.

While some of his comments in the past suggest Shannon did take his Man of Steel role very seriously, watching him, I get the feeling that he also wanted to ham it up a little bit with a more traditionally over-the-top comic book villain performance. Zod’s fourth, overexaggerated yelp of the line “I will find him!” in the prologue was enough to convince me of that. I am totally all for that approach, and I believe it probably would have worked if the tone of this Superman movie matched the tone of his portrayal, as I see it.

A movie that offered a perfect opportunity for Shannon to not hold anything back, as Zod was The Flash, which I think proudly leaned into its cheesiness. However, he seemed to have less enthusiasm for the role in that reprisal, and his comments to Collider in 2023 basically confirm that. I do wonder, though, if he were to give the role one more try–with Zack Snyder’s blessing, of course–how well his Zod would fare in an upcoming superhero movie set in James Gunn’s new DC Universe. It’s worth thinking about…

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn't yet watched Rick and Morty's latest episode on Adult Swim or with a Max subscription, so be warned!

Just when it looked like James Gunn’s presence in 2025 pop culture would be 100% tethered to the DCU’s Superman and endless Batman conversations, leave it to Rick and Morty to blow such expectations away, and with fellow superhero filmmaker Zack Snyder in the mix, no doubt. That’s right, the Adult Swim mainstay featured both directors for an excellent episode targeting mega-bloated Hollywood franchises and the brains behind them.

Just one week after introducing fellow A+ guest star Danny DeVito as Dr. Dogballs, Rick and Morty welcomed the aforementioned blockbuster directors to the episode “Ricker Than Fiction,” in which the titular characters addressed their frustrations and attempted to use technology to fix the awkward plotting of the “Maximum Velocitree” franchise. Though Gunn was the ep’s legitimate antagonist, Snyder landed my favorite line at the expense of fellow DC visionary Christopher Nolan. Let's take a closer look at these series-best guest spots that graced the 2025 TV schedule.

James Gunn And Zack Snyder's Rick And Morty Appearance Explains Viral Meet-Up

Fans may remember back in February 2025, James Gunn took to Instagram to share a pic of him and Zack Snyder palling around and looking like dear old friends. Before that, fans speculation revolved around whether the two filmmakers actually got along or not, with many people inferring levels of hostility between them, given that Gunn and Peter Safran taking over DC Studios was the co-CEO nail in the Snyder-verse's Kryptonite-lined coffin.

Beyond all the speculation about their possible friendship, the image also sparked theories about Snyder being utilized in some capacity for the DCU, with ideas ranging from something as simple as a consultant all the way to hopes that he'll direct the DCU's eventual Justice League team-up. Now we know that all the speculation was in vain, and the pic is actually a reference to their Rick and Morty work together. Which, to be fair, I don't think anyone saw coming.

James Gunn Is A Fantastic Self-Deprecating Guest Star

Having honed his filmmaking skills at Troma Entertainment and on features like Scooby-Doo and Slither — he also wrote the screenplay for Zack Snyder's 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake — James Gunn entered the upper echelon of zeitgeisty directors by taking on the offbeat Guardians of the Galaxy movies, and never lost his ability to connect with audiences, nor his sense of humor.

Which makes him kind of a perfect foil for a show like this, in an episode that essentially pokes fun at the "art" of making endless sequels for popular franchises, and how a tool like A.I. can be overhyped as a savior, despite only being as strong as the person using it. (In this case, it's Jerry, so draw your own conclusions...in crayon.)

Just in case anyone thinks The Suicide Squad helmer was forced into this role by his overlords at Warner Bros. (who also took a hilarious lashing-via-satire in the ep), take a look at his Instagram post:

Maybe it's just me, but I kinda feel like Gunn can maybe become a regular, recurring part of Rick and Morty's lore, popping up time and again when it makes sense, and also when it doesn't. He should direct a whole episode of Interdimensional Cable segments.

However, Zack Snyder Got The Biggest Laugh With His Christopher Nolan Joke

Yeah, it's undeniably nerdy to laugh scoffingly at a movie director lobbing a big, sloppy jab at another director's work in a way you can 100% tell the joke was written in earnest, but with enough self-awareness that it's couched in hyperbole. Though Zach Snyder only popped in for a single scene, he delivered the best example possible of the above concept, saying this after Gunn described Rick.

Ha! I'll go on record as being a huge fan of Interstellar, along with the bulk of Nolan's filmography. Despite that, however, I may remember friends and colleagues griping about the morse code and the bookshelf than I can recall what many of the scenes were actually about. (It's been a while, to be fair.) As such, it's fantastic that in Rick and Morty canon, the namesake scientist sought retribution by trapping the Dark Knight director in a giant bookcase. "Now I am become furniture, suspender of novels."

Let's take a quick look at some of the other top-tier lines from Snyder and Gunn's appearances.

• JAMES GUNN: “Hey! Bradley Cooper carved that desk!”
• ZACK SNYDER: "Do more shots of him punching. And here is a secret move: start the punch at regular speed, and then you’re gonna ramp it do-o-o-own."
• JAMES GUNN: "Zack, we’re not losing touch with the audience, are we? I mean, I gave notes on the goddamned Count Chocula movie this morning."
• JAMES GUNN: "I read that dinosaur book you wrote, Jerry. Really good stuff.... Well, I got the gist."
• JAMES GUNN: "Ooh, I love sundaes. [Gets shot.]"

I'll have to give it some more thought to decide whether or not "Ricker Than Fiction" belongs in the list of best Rick and Morty episodes ever, but I'll still be hoping for the rest of Season 8's episode to be even better, because why not? Isn't that what....Maximum...Velocitrees...would do? No really, would they?

Sixteen years after its original release, director Zack Snyder's Watchmen can be reflected upon as an impressive work. It was long thought that properly adapting Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' legendary comic was impossible, and there are some controversial choices made by the production, but it's a loving and faithful work that is unquestionably visually stunning. All that being said, the film does have its critics, and one of them is star Matthew Goode – who thinks the movie on the whole is great, but he second guesses his own casting as Adrian Alexander Veidt a.k.a. Ozymandias.

The actor recently did a nice career retrospective as a guest on an episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, and when he discusses Watchmen, he is still a bit awed that he was part of the film. Zack Snyder had originally wanted Tom Cruise for the part of Ozymandias (the Mission: Impossible star actually wanted to take on the role of Rorschach), but he eventually cast Goode, and the Dept Q actor isn't quite sure why:

More than just seeing himself as a more inexpensive option for the production of the massive blockbuster (which ended up being a box office disappointment), Matthew Goode also has a few critiques of his own performance that he can't quite let go. Looking back at his take on the character, he thinks that he probably was trying to do too much with the complex role, and he has certain regrets regarding his accent choices.

If you've ever seen Watchmen and questioned why Ozymandias speaks one way in one scene and a different way in the next, Goode is aware, and he is apologetic.

Matthew Goode is critical about his own work in Watchmen, but he does have a great appreciation for the work as a whole... even though he admits that he hasn't actually seen the film in a while. He's apparently not an actor who spends his time looking back at his old movies – but he expects that it holds up:

It is indeed a very faithful adaptation, and if you haven't seen Watchmen in a minute, it's a work worth revisiting (though the sequel series that aired on HBO a few years ago is definitely its superior – albeit very different). If you find yourself in the mood to check it out, the film is presently available to stream with a HBO Max subscription.

12 years ago, Man of Steel was released and ushered in the DC Extended Universe, the first attempt at forming a shared cinematic continuity pulling from DC Comics lore. Now the time has come for another Superman movie to help usher in another shared continuity, as there’s less than a month to go until James Gunn’s Superman introduces much of the world to the DC Universe. But with this new era also comes a segment of Zack Snyder fans voicing their displeasure that Snyder’s creative vision went unfinished, and I like what Gunn, who also co-runs DC Studios, had to say about this “opposing force” that’s not supporting the upcoming DC movie.

Snyder, of course, helmed Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and his original vision for Justice League was released in a four-hour form to Max subscription holders following the Joss Whedon-helmed theatrical cut from 2017. Rolling Stone brought up to James Gunn how some of Snyder’s fans are rooting against Superman, and here’s what he had to say:

I suppose I can see where James Gunn is going with that perspective, as if there’s at least a minority who don’t approve of a trailer, preview, etc., then that can still inspire spirited debate and conversation among those who do. Whereas if everyone agrees on how it looked, then it gets boring exchanging the sam opinion back and forth. So Gunn is ok if not everyone is on board with Superman right now, although he did add that the criticism can sometimes get out of hand:

The director is referring to the scene shown in the Krypto-centric Superman footage released back in April. In the scene, the injured Clark Kent/Kal-El is lifted up by four of the Fortress of Solitude’s robots and taken to a special chair and expose to a concentrated dose of yellow sunlight. Superman starts screaming in pain from this, but James Gunn confirmed the interviewer’s observation that this wasn’t because the sunlight was literally hurting him, but because his bones were being reset.

The time has long since passed for the possibility of Zack Snyder’s Justice League saga to continue, despite the unresolved plot threads from his version of the movie. Superman hits theaters on July 11, and if the movie is welcomed with positive critical reception and gets off to a good start at the box office, hopefully those Zack Snyder fans adamantly against the movie’s existence will come around and decide to give it a shot.

With James Gunn’s Superman set to kick off a new live-action DC Universe, with Creature Commandos having set the animated foundation, any and all hopes of seeing Jeffrey Dean Morgan reprising the role of Thomas Wayne have been vanquished. Which remains disappointing, especially given Zack Snyder’s plans to adapt the revered “Flashpoint” storyline, with Morgan donning a revised cape and cowl as Batman. Even hearing the Walking Dead actor reflecting on it now gets me riled up.

Morgan is currently promoting AMC’s latest zombie spinoff The Walking Dead: Dead City, with the second season hitting the 2025 TV schedule in early May. But his deadly anti-hero Negan wasn’t the only comic book character on tap for an interview with him and co-star Lauren Cohan shared on Den Of Geek’s TikTok. When asked if Snyder cast them as Thomas and Martha Wayne as a jokey TWD reference, JDM pointed out that he wasn’t in that world yet. In his words:

“Unfortunately” is underplaying things considerably, especially with the idea that Snyder already had some goalposts in mind for how he wanted to adapt Flashpoint’s timeline-changing narrative. It’d be one thing if that was just a fleeting pipe dream of an idea in Snyder’s brain when casting Jeffrey Dean Morgan for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

But we were closer than ever to seeing Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert's timeline-shifting arc come to life, with Justice League setting up the pieces, and Morgan seemingly down to reprise the role of Thomas Wayne in whichever capacity was landed on. Somehow, though, amidst all the behind-the-scenes turmoil over Justice League's production and Ezra Miller's controversies, we only ever got Andy Muschietti's The Flash movie in its place.

Maybe one day Zack Snyder will turn his "Flashpoint" ideas into a novelized narrative, or even a storyboarded comic or something. Even an audiobook would work, so long as Morgan returned to voice Big Papa Batman.

Circling back to the topic of sharing the screen with Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan said that the Batman v Superman casting may have been the catalyst that inspired The Walking Dead's showrunner to reach out when casting Negan. As he put it:

All things considered, Morgan still has quite a few years left to go before he would be wildly out of place to play Thomas Wayne age-wise. So here's hoping James Gunn doubles down on the idea of telling Elseworlds tales, and takes that opportunity to give "Flashpoint" another go.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan can be seen reprising the role of Negan alongside Lucille and Lauren Cohan's Maggie every Sunday night on AMC, with new episodes of The Walking Dead: Dead City airing at 8:00 p.m. ET.