I Didn’t Like Snyder’s DCEU, But I’m Excited For The Snyder Cut

Yes I know. A title unlike any other. I enjoy certain aspects of what Snyder brought to the DCEU. Mainly Wonder Woman, and the casting selections of everyone in the league. Bringing in creative directors to produce wonders like Wonder Woman (and it looks like Wonder Woman 1984 as well), and Aquaman. Zack Snyder is an incredible director, and even better at making casting decisions. While the storyline he chose to bring to the DC Live Action Universe was not my favorite, I’m glad the Snyder Cut release is happening.

Man of Steel reached out of my comfort zone for what it means to be Superman. Henry Cavill presented a great performance as Clark Kent, and up until the third act the film was great for me. But to have Zod die by the hands of Superman was strange. The Superman I know would have never killed anyone, no matter what could have happened. He would save everyone at all costs. Batman v. Superman was a convoluted mess of a story. Promoted as Man of Steel 2, BvS presented more of a Batman story, but acted like we should have a deep and dire connection with Batman that we didn’t actually have. And then, there’s Justice League. The hot topic of the past two and a half years.

Justice League was presented as Snyder’s film. With his name in the director’s line, the film represented nothing of what Snyder’s previous stories had built up. While I was ecstatic, and still am to this day to see my favorite group of heroes in live-action, it was clear there had been some meddling kids involved in the production. Snyder bowed out when his daughter died, but it has been made obvious he had already achieved enough to complete the film with his original intent in mind. Instead, Joss Whedon stepped in, reshooting 2/3 of a movie with disastrous results. After the film was released, what rang out instead of joyous results, was a plea that hit many fans loud and clear. Release the Snyder Cut.

Now that I’ve told you the reasons Snyder’s DCEU films are not my favorite, let me tell you why the Snyder Cut always needed to happen. Because it means everything for artistic integrity. While Snyder’s films were not my favorite, I respected the plans he had laid out for what he wanted to do. Warner Bros. knew he had a plan for five films, and then as a result of BvS’s critical reception, slashed the plans in half. There are things that could have been done to keep the same basis of the plans. But the studio completely chopped off the last half of the plans, and as a result turned Snyder’s film legacy with DC from a dream into a nightmare, or a nightmare into a dream however you want to look at it.

What happened yesterday is uniquely unprecedented, especially so soon after a film’s release. But it means everything for a film’s integrity. Studios should learn from the past two and a half years that they need to help a director’s vision come to fruition, or leave it in the past. Audiences tend to recognize some director’s content and know what flows best within said director’s talents. To see a film that looks nothing like the director’s work is unsettling. It can also alienate followers of his work from further viewings of the film in question.

Hopefully, what will come from this is studios take more care initially with picking up directors. I would hope they choose a filmmaker for their talents, and their story. And then choose to let them fulfill their vision with minimal interference. Maybe this will change the way movies are pitched as well. Because this situation isn’t unique to Snyder. It’s Lord and Miller on Solo: A Star Wars Story. Collin Trevorrow with The Rise of Skywalker. I’m sure there’s more as well. Studios need to recognize a director’s trend, and let them follow through. –Katie Gilstrap

What are your thoughts? Are you excited for the Snyder Cut? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more on all things from Zack Snyder.