There Are Reportedly No Plans For ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE To Be Released Theatrically Moving Forward

We know that Zack Snyder is keen to bring his cut of Justice League to a big screen, but it doesn't sound like that's something which is being seriously considered by Warner Bros. Read on for details...

By JoshWilding - Mar 06, 2021 07:03 AM EST

Filed Under: Justice League

There's less than two weeks to go until Zack Snyder's Justice League arrives on HBO Max, and in recent interviews, the filmmaker has continued to share his hopes fans might one day watch it on the big screen. While it would be smart for WarnerMedia to try and recoup some of its costs with a theatrical run (the reshoots cost upwards of $70 million), it doesn't sound like that's in the works.

According to The Wrap, sources inside Warner Bros. tell them that the "Snyder Cut" of Justice League will be released exclusively on the HBO Max streaming service.

Even if the studio relents, it would be difficult to squeeze the movie into IMAX screens when blockbusters will be desperate for those screens over the summer (with the COVID-19 vaccine rolling out, theaters reopening sooner rather than later is looking increasingly likely).

Instead of Zack Sndyer's Justice League, Warner Bros. will look to focus on its current slate, including titles like Space Jam: A New Legacy and The Suicide Squad.

This isn't surprising in many ways, and if the movie is remaining exclusive to HBO Max, chances are we won't be getting a Blu-ray release. That would be a shame, but with it sticking around on the streamer for the foreseeable future (unlike a lot of other DC title), it won't be hard to track down!

Click on the "Next" button below for 10 recent
Justice League reveals from Zack Snyder!

10. Why An Episodic Release Was Scrapped

When news broke that WarnerMedia would release Zack Snyder's Justice League through HBO Max, it was reported that the film would be released as six individual episodes.

Transforming it into a TV series made sense from a business perspective (bringing back subscribers on a weekly basis is a better way of driving up subscribers than a film), but something changed. According to Snyder, it "got complicated," potentially because of contractual issues with the cast.

He also admitted that fans "would've been mad if they had to wait weeks" for each installment, but confirmed the film will still play out with a six-chapter structure.

That will make it much easier to watch, especially with a mammoth runtime.

9. Chapter Titles

Justice League producer Deborah Snyder has said that these chapters will make watching the #SnyderCut an easier experience, and Zack has shared the titles of the first two.

Chapter 1 is "Don't Count On It Batman," and Chapter 2 is titled "The Age of Heroes."

Unfortunately, he didn't reveal any more than that, but we can probably figure out what how the first two acts will play out. The first chapter likely follows the Dark Knight as he attempts to assemble his team, while the second probably revisits the first time Uxas and Steppenwolf attacked Earth.

It's unclear whether additional chapter titles will be revealed prior to the film's release.

8. Martian Manhunter's Role In Superman's Life

Actor Harry Lennix submitted a question to Snyder during this panel, and Snyder responded by elaborating on the ties between Martian Manhunter's dual identity as both an alien and General Swanwick.

"In my mind, Swanwick and Martian Manhunter, it's like his alter-ego," the filmmaker explains. "That's kind of the way I see it. If you notice the way he's manipulated both Lois and Clark to do their best, to be the best they can be, because in this incarnation he wants humanity to do it themselves and/or this new hero in Superman."

"I think that that's kind of the way I see it – that they have the same voice," Snyder added.

Martian Manhunter is likely to have a small, but pivotal role in Zack Snyder's Justice League, but it seems we shouldn't expect him to be portrayed that differently to Swanwick in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

7. Darkseid's Place In The Film

Snyder's plan was for Darkseid to be the lead villain in a Justice League sequel, but with that unlikely to happen, the director has assured fans that he has a key role to play in the #SnyderCut.

Explaining that the villain has "tons of human motivation" and not just a singular mission, Snyder adds: "He operates on another plane, but certainly something happened to him in the past and he's not happy about it, and it's really hurt him" (that's likely an allusion to his defeat the first time around).

"It's shaped him and he's looking to make it right, and so I think there's a lot of nuance in him and Ray [Porter] does a great job of voicing him."

We've yet to hear what Porter sounds like as Darkseid, so that praise from Snyder should reassure fans.

6. The Film's Runtime

Zack Snyder's Justice League has been touted as a four-hour epic, but we now have a specific runtime for the film.

It's been confirmed that the #SnyderCut will clock in at a whopping four hours and two minutes. We're assuming a good ten to fifteen minutes of that will be credits, but that's still the longest superhero film ever made (sorry, Avengers: Endgame).

There's been chatter about Cyborg getting a 15-minute origin story, a sign perhaps that there will be a lot of padding and fluff in the film. However, if it all fits together when all is said and done, the four-hours could be justified.

For fans of the filmmaker, however, they're bound to love every minute of this version.

5. The Importance Of Cyborg

Ray Fisher's Cyborg remains an incredibly important character to Snyder, and he explained during the panel that, "To me, [Cyborg’s backstory is] such an important part of the movie, and his whole arc and journey is so important. There was just really cool stuff that we shot and that we created that I was really excited for fans to see."

He then reiterated how pivotal the character is to his #SnyderCut.

"Everything turns on him, everything turns on the stakes that are presented to him, the events that befall him within the context of the film." Snyder also feels that the character has serious future potential despite the recent news about Fisher not starring in The Flash.

"You're going to realize that Cyborg is [the] tip of the iceberg, in my opinion, so who knows?" the filmmaker pondered about the cinematic future for the hero.

4. What Steppenwolf Brings To The Table

Steppenwolf was a forgettable part of Joss Whedon's Justice League, but he'll get significantly more screentime in Snyder's.

We'll also learn more about what the filmmaker describes as his "very complicated" relationship with Darkseid. "I'm not going to give it away but the dynamic between the two of them, some things happened in the past," he said, again alluding to their first invasion of Earth.

"There's a bunch of issues between them and so, yeah, I think that all plays out. Yes, the answer is there's quite a complex relationship there."

It appears Steppenwolf failed Darkseid thousands of years ago, and his return to Earth is likely an attempt to make that right.

3. Two Versions Of Zack Snyder's Justice League

Zack Snyder's Justice League is being released in a 1:33:1 aspect ratio, and reiterated that a black and white version is also in the works which has been dubbed the "Justice Is Gray" edition.

Snyder explains that he's a "huge advocate of and a huge admirer of" what he calls his "favorite version of the movie."

That's going to be released on HBO Max "at some point" says Snyder, but the filmmaker's ultimate goal is for fans to be able to watch the #SnyderCut of Justice League on an IMAX screen.

That will feature a "beautiful intermission, Junkie XL intermission." Snyder adds: "It’s an afternoon and into evening experience that’s pretty cool."

2. Black Suit Superman

When he was in charge of Justice League the first time around, Snyder had long discussions with Warner Bros. about putting Superman in his black suit from the comics.

"I was a big advocate [of the black suit]," the filmmaker reveals, "they were not so much, and we would go back and forth. I said, ‘Okay, let me just at least do some tests to see if I could put him in the black suit and what it would look like.’ We devised a method in which we could easily turn the suit, using the existing suit, to the black and silver suit that you see in the movie."

Snyder says it was always his intention to include that suit, and shared his first reaction to seeing it.

"We all just sat back like, wow, are we really doing this?" the director, a fanboy at heart, explains.

1. The Empty Kryptonian Pod

Since Man of Steel was released in theaters in 2013, fans have speculated wildly about who or what was inside the open pod in the Kryptonian ship Superman discovers.

One popular theory is that Supergirl emerged from that thousands of years ago, becoming the first Amazon in the process. Unfortunately, Snyder is keeping quiet when it comes to what the truth behind that apparent Easter Egg.

"It definitely is in Justice League," Snyder says of the pod. "They pass it and they look at it. They don't talk about it but, yeah, that is an open question, and I would hope at some point to find out who was in there, what's going on."

Fingers crossed the filmmaker one day reveals all.

h/t IGN

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Says He's Pretty Excited About James Gunn's DCU Plans

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67 Comments

1 2

GhostDog - 3/6/2021, 7:49 AM

Robin91939 - 3/6/2021, 7:51 AM

C’mon, Josh. This article is misleading. Snyder never said he intended to get this film a wide theatrical release. He’s stated, multiple times, that he’d love to go on tour with an IMAX print, and have screenings/watch parties with groups of fans and Q&A’s. Other directors have done this - Kevin Smith just did with Jay and Silent Bob: The Reboot.

That is still very much possible.

Dredd97 - 3/6/2021, 7:52 AM

I'll watch it as the good Lord intended, pirated on my phone

cyclopstb - 3/6/2021, 7:55 AM

I want to have this on Blu-ray soon after I watch it on HBO Max.

Ha1frican - 3/6/2021, 7:56 AM

Not surprising, I think we’ll eventually get a road show or limited run version at some point but I never really thought a wide release was in the cards. Wouldn’t be surprised if we see fan events crop up at some point with rented theaters either

MahN166A - 3/6/2021, 7:59 AM

I can imagine die hard Snyder Fans coming up with the money to rent out a theater just to run this version.

.......and that’s it.

Toonstrack - 3/6/2021, 8:08 AM

I cant wait for this to release so we don't have to keep hearing about this movie

MrCamw1 - 3/6/2021, 8:11 AM

It's weird I could gladly commit to watch a 4 hour movie in theatres but at home no way in one sitting. That's just me though.

SanFranLand - 3/6/2021, 8:12 AM

An article every hour on the hour until it’s released!
Rip this massive band-aid off already!

SanFranLand - 3/6/2021, 8:20 AM

@SanFranLand - replying to my own comment but for really real, there’s a new article up 30 minutes later. Jesus

inkniron - 3/6/2021, 8:21 AM

Makes sense. Theaters are prime real estate for movies that have been on the shelf for reasons out of their control, not 4 hour passion projects from the creator of 2 critical and financial disappointments.

RegularPoochie - 3/6/2021, 8:29 AM

No shit Sherlock?

Reeds2Much - 3/6/2021, 8:32 AM

I want this in theaters, because I know in my heart of hearts that even after coming out digitally first someone would still Cam it.

MaxPaint - 3/6/2021, 9:11 AM

"News"

Moriakum - 3/6/2021, 9:13 AM

bobevanz - 3/6/2021, 9:23 AM

They need to work overtime just to get another 50 subscribers lol, Paramount+ will beat them in subscribers by eoy and that's a fact. I'm mad Beavis and Butthead doesn't have the music videos! Alas I have found the kingturd edition magnet link, DVD quality, uncut and the music! You can even buy physical copies lol. What were we talking about? Oh yeah..

1 2

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There Are Reportedly No Plans For ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE To Be Released Theatrically Moving Forward

We know that Zack Snyder is keen to bring his cut of Justice League to a big screen, but it doesn't sound like that's something which is being seriously considered by Warner Bros. Read on for details...

10. Why An Episodic Release Was Scrapped

9. Chapter Titles

8. Martian Manhunter's Role In Superman's Life

7. Darkseid's Place In The Film

6. The Film's Runtime

5. The Importance Of Cyborg

4. What Steppenwolf Brings To The Table

3. Two Versions Of Zack Snyder's Justice League

2. Black Suit Superman

1. The Empty Kryptonian Pod

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