Zack Snyder Defends Fans, Criticizes Boardroom-Made Movies
Zack Snyder recently appeared on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast to discuss the 10th anniversary of his film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Released on March 25, 2016, the film received a mixed reception, opening to negative reviews but ultimately grossing an impressive $874 million worldwide.
Zack Snyder’s Defense of “Batman v Superman”
During the podcast, Snyder reflected on the film’s polarizing nature. He expressed his belief that films should retain their original vision, free from heavy influence by focus groups or studio executives. “Do you really want a movie where the decisions have been made in a boardroom?” Snyder questioned, emphasizing the importance of artistic integrity over commercial appeal.
- Film: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
- Release Date: March 25, 2016
- Worldwide Gross: $874 million
- Follow-up Film: Justice League
- Major Themes: Heroism, conflict, and deconstruction of characters
The Creation of the SnyderVerse
“Batman v Superman” was part of Snyder’s larger DC Universe, often referred to as the ‘SnyderVerse’ by fans. Following this film, Snyder directed “Justice League,” but his vision faced challenges. After a family tragedy, Joss Whedon took over the project, leading to significant changes that sparked a social media movement demanding the release of the “Snyder Cut.”
This led to the debut of “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” on HBO Max in 2021. Snyder praised the mythological journey of the trilogy, acknowledging the intense reactions from audiences. He revealed that the film struggled to achieve a PG-13 rating, with the MPAA expressing discomfort with the violent themes. Snyder noted, “We were kicking the zeitgeist in the nuts,” indicating awareness of the backlash his work often received.
Future Aspirations for the SnyderVerse
Even though plans for additional “Justice League” films have not materialized, Snyder remains open to exploring these stories through other formats such as comics or animation. He remarked, “I would never say there is no way” regarding the continuation of the SnyderVerse. Snyder also highlighted the positive contributions made by his fans, including fundraising for suicide prevention.
New Direction for the DC Universe
As of now, Warner Bros. has revitalized the DC Universe under new leadership, specifically with James Gunn and Peter Safran at the helm. A new “Superman” film directed by Gunn was received positively by both critics and fans. Snyder expressed his well wishes for this new direction while maintaining that his trilogy and Gunn’s vision represent different interpretations of the characters.
In summary, Snyder is proud of his work and the passionate support from his fans. His perspective on “Batman v Superman” highlights the ongoing debate about creative freedom in filmmaking, particularly in the comic book genre.
