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JUSTICE LEAGUE Stars Support “Release the Snyder Cut”

by Michael Walsh
Nov 18 2019 • 10:14 AM

Update: According to THR, “despite the groundswell and speculation” a Zack Snyder version of Justice League could possibly be released on Warner Bros. upcoming streaming site HBO Max, there is no imminent “announcement of a release of any such cut” planned. If you are hopeful to one day see the movie you can take comfort that this report does not a) deny a Snyder cut exists or that b) it won’t be announced some day.

But at the very least the “Release The Snyder Cut” team did gain some powerful new members.

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Is… is this really going to happen? Are we really going to see Zack Snyder’s version of Justice League? For nearly two years, the directors’ fans have been fervently campaigning for the release of his version of the DCEU film. Over the weekend, the campaign gained some allies, after the film’s stars publicly joined the “cause.” But despite some very big names adding their voices to the outcry, one small, itsy bitsy, teeny weeny, sliiiiight problem remains: no one knows if “The Snyder Cut” actually exists.

On November 17, the two-year anniversary of the movie’s release in the U.S., Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and (the former) Batman all tweeted out #ReleaseTheSnyderCut. Gal Gadot was the first to post the well-known hashtag. She was followed by Ray Fisher and Ben Affleck. Aquaman also joined in, as Jason Momoa posted Gadot’s photo on his Instagram Stories, adding “We want the Snyder cut.”

Additionally, Watchmen creator Damon Lindelof joined in on Instagram, expressing his support for the long-rumored version of the film. Alongside a cast photo, he wrote, “I’m not saying I’ve seen it, but if I HAD, I would unequivocally support the powers that be to #releasethesnydercut.”

Fair to say we did not see that coming.

But what exactly is this all about? Snyder stepped down during post-production of the film after the death of his daughter. Joss Whedon then took over, and Justice League underwent extensive re-shoots and re-writes. Even without seeing a script or cut of Snyder’s version, differences in both the plot and cinematography were evident in promotional materials released before and after Whedon came on board. This may have simply been an impromptu show of support by the stars for the director and their fans. The actors are also likely proud of the work they did under Snyder and would like to see their efforts be released some day.

Cyborg, The Flash, Batman, Wonder Woman, AquamanWarner Bros.

However, it can’t be ruled out this was something more than a simple show of solidarity for their friend and fans. If this was a coordinated effort by the cast, they could be trying to publicly put pressure on Warner Bros. and DC to release Snyder’s version of the film. Or—and this is the possibility Snyder fans are most hoping is true—this could have been their way of announcing it will be released.

For that to happen, one very important fact would also need to be true though: the Snyder Cut actually exists.

Youtube Video play button

There have been some reports, including one from Kevin Smith and even Zack Snyder himself, about how much of his script Snyder actually filmed. Even if Snyder was done filming, it’s not clear how many of his scenes were ever fully edited. Many deleted scenes on Blu-rays have missing animation or VFX because the studio realized those sequences weren’t going to make it into the film. Not even a deep-pocketed studio like Warner Bros. would have spent the money to complete Snyder’s scenes they knew were no longer going to be in the film.

That reality has never stopped a very vocal, very passionate part of the DCEU fanbase from believing the movie does exist. They’ve taken out ads at San Diego Comic-Con and in Times Square demanding it be released. There has also been a consistent online campaign to pressure Warner Bros. into releasing it. Justice League underwhelmed at the box office though, so would Warner Bros. really commit the kind of resources needed to make the Snyder Cut a reality?

Maybe they already did. If they haven’t though, one other very big name involved with the movie also voiced his approval for Releasing the Snyder Cut: Zack Snyder.

This really is going to happen, isn’t it?

Featured Image: Warner Bros. Pictures