Is the SnyderVerse just before our noses? It’s fair to say that never in the history of DC Comics has the powerhouse been so much at the centre of attention online. Fans have been enjoying quite a lot of exciting information lately, which is a change for once. Since the merger back in April and the takeover of the new leadership, everyone has been wondering if DC will finally benefit from a clear, long-term vision and plan for its onscreen extended universe. It seems like a yes to me.
With all the confirmed information and rumours going around lately, and WBD’s David Zalsav talking about building a 10-year plan, one may wonder if all these news are linked to something in particular… A lot of arrows are starting to point in the same direction.
A lot of people have been making noise online for years now about continuing Zack Snyder’s work in the DC Universe. Now, the more time passes, the more the decisions that are being made by the new leadership seem to point to a possible continuation of the famous SnyderVerse. Let’s recap everything we’ve heard, whether official or strongly rumoured, and tell us what you make of it all.
Ben Affleck is coming back
READ MORE: Doctor Fate’s Future Teased In Deleted Black Adam End-Credits Scene
When Ben Affleck called it quits with Warner Bros. after the disaster that was Joss Whedon’s Justice League, it was made explicitly clear that the actor wouldn’t have anything to do in the DCU anymore. His solo movie was replaced by an Earth-2 solo Batman movie led by Robert Pattinson, with Affleck having zero involvement with the project whatsoever.
However, things started shifting in 2021.
- Affleck came back for additional shooting for the Snyder Cut.
- News came that he would have a role in The Flash (along with Gadot’s Wonder Woman and Cavill’s Superman, meaning the first appearence of the trinity together since the Snyder Cut).
- Then came the news that he was going to be in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, replacing Michael Keaton‘s Batman (whom the previous leadership specifically wanted only to replace Ben Affleck… how the tables have turned)
- Then came the heavy rumour that the actor had actually secretly signed a 3-movies deal
- The latest rumour to emerge came from an actor of the upcoming Blue Beetle movie. George Lopez revealed that Batman might be in the movie.
Seems like a lot of implications for an actor who’s supposed not to be involved in the DCU anymore.
Henry Cavill is coming back
Source: Henry Cavill
READ MORE: Henry Cavill’s Superman To Appear In The Flash
After five years of battle between Henry Cavill and Warner Bros, and six years of battle between Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and the studio, the new leadership finally allowed Cavill to return to the DCU on his own terms. The victory was celebrated with – SPOILERS – a not-so-secret cameo in Black Adam.
It’s well known that Cavill has been completely refusing anything coming from the studio concerning the character for the last five years. From what has been circulating online, the studio’s ideas for the character didn’t match Cavill’s expectations. The actor wanted more for the character, while the studios only wanted multiple cameos. This means that now that he’s back, what’s planned for the character in the coming years must be worth it.
The Trinity is coming back
READ MORE: DC Studios Head James Gunn Is Friends With Zack Snyder
After the debacles with Cavill and Affleck, heavy rumours confirmed by multiple sources said that the studio appeared to want to twist the original trinity from the comics and established by Snyder for the DCU, and make a new one, all-female lead:
- Batman would have been replaced by Leslie Grace’s Batgirl (she would have been introduced in her HBO Max solo movie),
- Superman would have been replaced by Sasha Calle’s Supergirl (still scheduled to be introduced in The Flash),
- with only Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman remaining.
Well, almost. The new leadership came and cancelled the Batgirl movie, while allowing Ben Affleck to return. They also allowed Henry Cavill to return for the long run, cancelling his replacement by his cousin Supergirl. Sasha Calle’s still going to play the Kryptonian, just not alone but alongside her cousin. Then, there’s the giant Flash case.
The ‘Flash’ case
Source: Warner Bros. Discovery
READ MORE: The Flash 2 To Introduce The Legion Of Doom
The movie was supposed to be used as a means for Warner Bros. to erase anything linked to the Snyderverse and lay new grounds for a new DCU. It was supposed to be used as a means to continue the universe outside of any previous Snyder bases, and making sure that anything related to Snyder would be erased for the main continuity. From what was told online, it would have marked Ben Affleck’s final appearance as Batman, before sacrificing himself at the end of the movie.
Well, the new leadership arrived and pushed the movie for a whole year, before ordering extensive script rewrites and reshoots that lasted months. At one point following those rewrites, multiple reliable sources revealed that now Affleck’s Batman wouldn’t die at the end. He would rather be stuck in an alternate, apocalyptic universe… Let that sink in.
Ezra Miller debunking rumours of Snyderverse being erased
READ MORE: Ezra Miller Debunks The Flash Erasing SnyderVerse Rumours
Ezra Miller took to social media to address rumours of their Flash movie erasing the Snyderverse, screenshotting an article stating so and replying with multiple ‘hahaha’s’. They then stated:
No power or force in any known megaverse would or could ever erase Zack Snyder’s mighty wrkz.
James Gunn as DC Studios Co-CEO
READ MORE: DC Studios In Good Hands With James Gunn & Peter Safran
James Gunn and Zack Snyder have been friends ever since they both worked together on Dawn of the Dead (released in 2004), Gunn as the scriptwriter and Snyder as the director. Both artists kept in touch, and it was Snyder who recommended the fight and stunt choreographer for the show Peacemaker to Gunn, who included Snyder in the conversations for the show. It’s also worth remembering that Gunn publicly showed support for Snyder, his fandom and the release of the Snyder Cut during the promotion of The Suicide Squad, accusing the media of attacking the Snyder’s fandom.
The director also showed support multiple times to David Ayer and the release of his original cut of Suicide Squad.
Gunn made clear multiple times that he values and defends artistic freedom for directors, and the directors’ vision, which has been lacking at Warner Bros… and now he’s CEO.
Snyder and Ayer commenting online
Both directors are really quiet and private when it comes to their past experiences with Warner Bros. But they are now commenting and interacting online about the new decisions of Warner Bros. Discovery.
- Snyder sent a video to Henry Cavill, out of nowhere, while the actor was being interviewed, to talk about Man of Steel, share memories and say he’s excited for them to “work again together”
- Snyder talks about Henry Cavill as his Superman “past, present and future”.
- David Ayer interacting with James Gunn about the future of the DCU, all while showing public support for the director
The two directors mistreated by former studios seem to be really excited about what’s to come…
Snyder Cut music and images being used
Source: HBO Max
READ MORE: DC Extended Universe Rebranded To The DCU
The official theme for Zack Snyder’s Justice League was used during Black Adam, and some shots used only in the Snyder Cut have been used for the Shazam! Fury of the Gods trailer potentially means that the Snyder Cut is now canon to the DCU.
Can you think of any other clue pointing in the same direction? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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