Before James Gunn and Peter Safran took control of DC Studios, Warner Bros. had hoped filmmaker Zack Snyder would be able to successfully shape a shared superhero universe that won over the box office and the fans. Snyder directed Man of Steel in 2013, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016, part of Justice League in 2017, and finally Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021. His work divided fans. Some praised his ambitious storytelling, while others criticized what they saw as dark tone and confusing visuals. Even after Snyder’s official exit from the studio five years ago, fans continue to call for his return.
Snyder recently reopened old debates about his vision during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz. He pushed back against critics who called his movies too bleak, saying audiences should question whether they prefer safe, formula-driven films. “Do you really want a movie that’s had all the edges shaved off by focus groups? Do you really want a movie made from tested ideas? Do you really want the KMart version of your story?” Snyder said.
He also looked back on the creative and ratings battles during Batman v Superman. Snyder said the MPAA pushed for an R rating because some members disliked the idea of Batman fighting Superman, an argument he found ridiculous. “They said the scene where Batman hits Superman with a sink felt like an R. I’m just like, okay, let’s pretend it’s not Batman vs. Superman for one second,” Snyder recalled.
During the interview, Snyder praised fans who supported the campaign for his director’s cut of Justice League. He said their efforts not only revived his film but also raised large donations for suicide prevention. “They did a lot of good,” he said. “They catch a lot of flak for being toxic or whatever, but they literally saved human lives.” He added that he would not rule out continuing his story in another medium such as comics or animation.
Despite controversy surrounding Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, online campaigns continue to advocate for Snyder’s return. Whether that will happen is uncertain. DC Studios’ new leadership is already moving ahead with its rebooted lineup. The new era, called Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, includes Creature Commandos on Max, a new Superman film, and more projects scheduled for 2026, including Lanterns on Max, Supergirl hitting theaters on June 26, and Clayface arriving on October 26.
Some fans speculate Snyder could still direct future entries such as The Authority. For now, his connection to the new DC Universe remains a question mark. What is clear is that Snyder remains a strong voice in the genre and that his influence over modern superhero movies has not faded.
***
English (US) · 