Movies & TV / Columns

Why the Justice League Snyder Cut Needs to Be Released

November 18, 2019 | Posted by Steve Gustafson
Justice League

When it comes to the Zack Snyder cut of Justice League I’ve joined the ranks of releasing it in some form. For the past two years the rumors that have followed his version of the film have grown, ebbing and flowing, and, at this point, I can’t see a negative reason why it shouldn’t be released. 

At the very least it would stop this story from appearing every few months and we could find something else to complain about. 

For those that haven’t been paying attention, Snyder had completed principal photography for Justice League and was in the middle of post-production when tragedy struck with the sudden death of his daughter. Snyder’s wife, Deborah Snyder, who was a producer on Justice League, also is took a break to focus on the healing of their family.

Soon after conflicting reports came out that hinted that Snyder was in fact fired from the project and the death of his daughter was used to cover up the exit. A poor rumor at best and in poor taste. 

“I’d heard similar things from separate sources over the last year as well,” Collider’s Matt Goldberg wrote. “I also heard that Snyder’s rough-cut of the movie was ‘unwatchable’ (a word that jumped out at me because it’s rare you hear two separate sources use the exact same adjective). Of course, even if that’s true, there’s obviously more to the story since rough cuts can be fixed up with reshoots, rewrites, etc.”

Depending on what you believe, the Snyder Cut may or may not be 100% complete but judging on the amount of unreleased material being shared recently, one can believe enough exists for us to get an idea of Snyder’s vision for the Justice League.

Jump forward and we get a taste of the “streaming wars” and how it gives the fabled “Snyder Cut” new legs. 

With the announcement of WarnerMedia’s new streaming service option, HBO Max, the outcry for Snyder’s version grew. Snyder indeed turned over creative control of the movie to Joss Whedon. “In my mind, I thought it was a cathartic thing to go back to work, to just bury myself and see if that was the way through it,” Snyder said at the time. “The demands of this job are pretty intense. It is all-consuming. And in the last two months, I’ve come to the realization … I’ve decided to take a step back from the movie to be with my family, be with my kids, who really need me. They are all having a hard time. I’m having a hard time.”

Justice League earned $657,924,295 worldwide but received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. 

Snyder stoked the rumor flames by releasing a black-and-white image of Cyborg in a cemetery. In the picture Cyborg is shown pounding the ground at a “family plot,” believed to be his mother’s grave. Perhaps proof of a stronger subplot of the hero in the movie?

Back to HBO Max. With the platforms announcement, it looks to be an ideal to release the Snyder Cut. It would draw a solid amount of attention and appease those wanting to see Snyder’s vision. Nothing official has been announced and it looks to remain that way. 

Until this past week. Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa, voiced his support by reiterating comments he’s made over the years…saying that he’d seen the cut! Then this past weekend Wonder Woman Gal Gadot, tweeted “#ReleasetheSnyderCut” with both Cyborg actor Ray Fisher, Snyder, and Batman actor Ben Affleck adding their support soon after. 

Is it foolish to keep this movie locked away from the masses? For a company that likes to make money, this seems like a no-brainer. What do you think?