Zack Snyder Fans Didn’t Get Upset For Nothing – Breaking Down The Snyder-Gunn Discourse

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As James Gunn’s vision for the DCU approaches, there’s been a heated and somewhat impolite discussion among fans supportive of both James Gunn and Zack Snyder online. I aim to clarify the perspective of those backing Zack Snyder. At present, James Gunn’s Superman is about to premiere in cinemas (at the time of writing), yet there’s a significant amount of attention directed towards the perceived bitterness of Zack Snyder’s supporters regarding the abrupt ending of the DC Extended Universe’s reign. To be fair, Gunn acknowledges these passionate fans as a vocal minority without stereotyping the entirety of the Snyder fanbase; however, many media outlets and discussions have not been as considerate in their portrayal of Snyder supporters.

It’s important to note that some supporters of Snyder have acted inappropriately towards Gunn, fellow fans, and media personnel. However, it’s equally significant to consider that Snyder’s fanbase has faced challenging circumstances similar to few others. Regardless of whether one is enthusiastic, cautious, or indifferent about Gunn’s emerging plans for the new DC Universe, the cinematic journey of DC since 2013’s “Man of Steel” makes it abundantly clear that Snyder’s fanbase didn’t become upset just because they appreciated a series of superhero films that others didn’t. Instead, their frustration stemmed from a string of tumultuous events that, when viewed in context, explain why the Snyderverse is unlike most other abandoned film franchises.

The Snyder DCEU Discourse Was Extremely Brutal & Over-the-Top

In the early days of the DCEU, the debates were incredibly passionate, but I clearly recall them. Man of Steel certainly sparked a reaction, yet it was the premiere of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice that seemed to divide DC fans (and many regular moviegoers) into two distinct groups – those who loved it and those who passionately disliked it. I fell into the former camp, but the latter group really couldn’t hide their intense dislike for Batman v Superman, and made sure everyone around them was aware of it.

Some spectators took extreme measures, initiating Change.org petitions for Snyder’s dismissal from Justice League, and the internet was saturated with reviews and editorials expressing deep disappointment and anger over Snyder’s portrayal of DC stories, particularly those involving Superman. Many criticized Snyder’s approach to these stories as demonstrating a dislike, misunderstanding, or inappropriateness for the role. Several critics even argued that Snyder’s creative vision clashed with the heroic values embodied by Superman, and some pointed to comments made by Snyder during the Watchmen press tour as evidence of a desire to depict Batman being attacked in prison. My personal social media feed was inundated with negativity towards Batman v Superman, making it challenging to express appreciation for the movie without facing insults or being overwhelmed by criticism.

Despite the fact that the situation was already bleak, what made it even more disheartening was Warner Bros.’ extensive efforts to revamp Suicide Squad, Justice League, and the entire DCEU to appease their most critical audience members – efforts that largely proved fruitless. The re-edited cinematic versions of Suicide Squad and Justice League are still receiving poor reviews, and apart from 2018’s Aquaman, the post-Snyder DCEU failed to achieve the commercial success it enjoyed during Snyder’s tenure. In essence, Warner Bros.’ attempts to rectify the harsh criticism of Batman v Superman ended up squandering the potential of the DCEU’s early stages. This history casts a long shadow over fans, and it doesn’t disappear quickly.

The Circumstances of Justice League & the DCEU’s Mishandling Is Going To Take a Long Time To Heal From (If Ever)

One thing I frequently ponder when debating the Snyderverse fan community is: if Warner Bros. hadn’t reacted as drastically to the backlash against Batman v Superman as they did, what might have happened? Suppose they had launched Justice League without all the production turmoil and extensive reshoots, offering instead the movie that Zack Snyder’s Justice League became in 2021. In a hypothetical situation where Snyder’s Justice League flopped like John Carter did, forcing Warner Bros. to abandon the DCEU, most Zack Snyder fans would probably have accepted this outcome. It wouldn’t have been perfect or desirable, but in this scenario, Snyder’s vision for the DCEU would have had a full and fair chance to unfold, and be complete before Warner Bros. decided to stop funding it.

2016-2017 saw a flurry of stories and allegations about last-minute revisions in DCEU films, mistreatment of cast and crew, the controversial reshaping of “Justice League” during Zack Snyder’s personal tragedy, and the studio’s management attempting to conceal these events. Additional issues were layered on top, including Warner Bros.’ leadership openly contradicting the release of the Snyder Cut by labeling it a ‘storytelling dead-end’ and dismissing the subsequent resurgence in public interest. The massive #RestoreTheSnyderVerse Twitter campaign wouldn’t have occurred without widespread positive responses to “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” with some even calling it one of the best DC films ever made. Furthermore, Warner Bros.’ decision to halt Henry Cavill’s return as Superman came at a time when Snyder fans were rekindling their hope.

For Snyder fans, the last 12 years have been a continuous stream of criticism and ridicule on social media about their favorite universe. There seems to be no end to this teasing and mockery, as Gunn’s Superman is often used by fans and media as an alternative to Snyder’s vision for Superman and DC. The Snyderverse fans have a lot of healing to do, and asking them to get excited about Gunn’s Superman, given their ongoing emotional attachment to the Snyderverse, would likely end any conversation just like suggesting that Gunn fans accept a different direction for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 after his dismissal might have halted discussions about his vision. This leads into the heated debate surrounding the #RestoreTheSnyderVerse movement.

Seriously, What’s So Bad About Fans Asking To See Snyder’s Justice League Story Finished?

As a passionate film enthusiast, ever since the unveiling of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the clamor for #RestoreTheSnyderVerse has been resonating far and wide. Initially, it started as a wave of rekindled excitement, but lately, it’s been increasingly dismissed as naive optimism, even met with ridicule and outright disdain. And I find myself questioning the reasons behind this shift in sentiment.

Indeed, reviving Zack Snyder’s original plan for his five-film Justice League arc would be challenging, requiring persuading numerous cast members to rejoin the franchise, managing factors like scheduling, budgeting, and more complex aspects. However, considering the recent trend of long-awaited returns among DC and Marvel characters, such as Michael Keaton, Hugh Jackman, Wesley Snipes, Dafne Keen, Jennifer Garner, Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Krysten Ritter, Jon Bernthal, and many others in the expanding ensembles of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, it seems less far-fetched for Snyder’s fans to advocate for a similar comeback for their preferred Justice League cast. After all, this potential return would be focused on completing Snyder’s Justice League saga – a narrative with an already established ending.

In simpler terms, it’s highly unlikely that the Snyderverse will pose a challenge to Gunn’s growing DC Universe (DCU). This is because James Gunn has consistently expressed his intention for projects like Matt Reeves’ Batman franchise to coexist with the DCU Batman in the “Elseworlds” style, a concept where different storylines can exist side by side. Furthermore, Gunn’s friendly social media interaction with Snyder at DC Studios has sparked hope among Snyderverse fans, which, in turn, has led to speculation about the potential return of the Snyderverse. If you think that Snyder and Gunn didn’t anticipate this reaction, I have a bridge to sell you!

For the past 12 years, supporters of Zack Snyder’s DCEU have experienced a tumultuous journey. I can relate as I share their passion. Admittedly, some fans have gotten quite heated, but with the emergence of the DCU, the lingering frustration over the DCEU’s 12-year ride doesn’t seem to be easing up. To foster a more constructive conversation, it could be beneficial to recognize that Snyder fans didn’t become aggravated out of nowhere; they have valid reasons for feeling disappointed by DC and Warner Bros.

You can find streaming options for “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” on HBO Max. Meanwhile, James Gunn’s new take on “Superman” is set to hit theaters on July 11th.

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2025-06-28 19:43