Justice League 2.0: What We Want From Zack Synder’s Cut

Justice League has been the source of fan frustration for years. Now that we’re finally getting the “Snyder Cut” of the film will it repair what we were missing all along? The four-part movie will debut on March 18th and finally layout Snyder’s vision that was supposed to unfold over a 5 movie arc. Instead what fans got was Joss Whedon’s The Avengers: DC Edition.

The DCEU, inspired by Zack Snyder’s vision was heavily criticized for being a much darker take on the superhero genre, but that’s okay. Not everything in our world is just sunshine and rainbows. Even heroes face real-life problems. With the original vision on the way, what can we expect out of the Snyder Cut?

Dark Superman’s Arc

Starting with Man of Steel, Snyder has been painting a picture of a hero, but not one who humans were ready to except. Going all the way back to MoS, we know when Superman chooses to snap the neck of General Zod at the end of the film. Even though we see his anguish in the decision for the greater good, it reveals his abilities when put in a tough position.

Then in Batman v Superman we see just how unwilling people are to accept Superman as a hero. Fear and uncertainty pushes him the farthest he’s ever been from acceptance and despite what we see as the ultimate sacrifice in “death”, it isn’t until he saves the day that people put faith in him despite all he’s done.

In the Snyder Cut of Justice League we ought to see the dark side of Superman, no pun intended. What pushes him to the black suit Superman and to turn on the heroes? Remember Batman’s vision and the Flash’s warning not to trust him. We should see it unfold in this version of Justice League.

Green Lantern

We know two projects are upcoming or at least rumored, both for HBO Max. What we’ve already got, Ben Affleck as Batman and a Green Lantern series. Neither will unfold from thin air alone and as much as streaming can push new content, nothing says promotion like the hype train of a good cameo. We got a minor pinch of Green Lantern in Joss Whedon’s Justice League, but hopefully, we get just a touch more in the Snyder Cut.

More DC: Can Snyder Cut Revive DCEU Shared Universe?

Hype/Push for the Ayer Cut

One thing is a given if Zack Snyder is putting Jared Leto’s Joker in Justice League it’s because there was a bigger vision for him. David Ayer had plans for his Joker to be more involved in the original Suicide Squad film and the studio pushed back too much. With Snyder knowing all too well about creative interference, maybe his cameo in Justice League will push fans to call for his cut of Suicide Squad as well. There’s isn’t a DC villain that fans want more of more than the Joker. If Leto’s portrayal can come back from the cutting room floor, hopefully, we get to see Ayer’s vision as well. Let’s try and force the studio’s hand here as well and give back artistic vision to the ones who actually make the movies.

The Age Of Heroes

In the most uncertain of times, there couldn’t be a better message than the return to the “age of heroes”. From the trailer alone that sentiment is echoed briefly in times when heroes are needed most. Through the darkest of days, we need hope the most, and Superman has always stood for hope. With his story coming full circle, from Man of Steel until the Snyder Cut we ought to see the return of hope in the darkest of times. With everything happening in the world, there’s not a better message than that.

With an R rating, we’ll more than likely see a handful of great fight scenes and maybe a little hint of adult language. With hope on the horizon, Zack Snyder’s Justice League ought to be the payoff for the DCEU we never got. The previous films should make more sense and carry a little more weight.

Justice League will air on streaming on HBO Max, March 18th.