The Power of Fan Demands: Why Embracing the Snyderverse Could Transform Studios

Highlights

The DCEU's lack of vision and failure to meet fan expectations, highlighted by the demand for the release of Zack Snyder's Justice League cut, contributed to its downfall.

The Snyder Cut was utilized by Warner Bros. as a means of promoting its streaming service, Max. However, due to the disappointing performance of other DCEU films, the studio decided to abandon its plans for continuity.

Despite the passionate opinions and requests from fans, the primary focus of film studios remains on achieving financial success and appealing to a wide audience rather than solely catering to individual fan preferences.

The DCEU was destined for failure from the start, and the highly anticipated collaboration of DC superheroes in Justice League left many disappointed. The DCEU continued to hit new lows, primarily due to a lack of direction for the superhero universe, highlighted by the infamous demand for the release of Zack Snyder's Justice League cut.

In an attempt to please fans, Warner Bros. financed and released the project, but it ultimately boomeranged on them. It serves as a clear example of why studios should disregard fan demands and instead follow their own creative vision. James Gunn's DCU has taken note of this, and it is in the best interest of fans to trust his vision for the future of DC's live-action endeavors.

WBD Used The Snyder Cut To Sell People On Max

The DCEU's significant financial losses for Warner Bros. have been widely known, especially following the underwhelming performances of The Flash and Shazam: Fury Of The Gods. The Snyder Cut had been rumored as a project that could strengthen the partnership between Warner Bros. and HBO. This speculation arose shortly after Wonder Woman 1984 was released on Max, simultaneously with its theatrical debut. Snyder played a crucial role in the early stages of the DCEU franchise, keeping it alive with his distinctive vision. Despite receiving poor reviews and performing weakly at the box office, Snyder's 2015 film Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice later gained redemption with the release of a director's cut featuring additional content and revisions.

The release of Justice League was met with lackluster reception, seemingly spelling the end for the DCEU. However, the true story behind its shortcomings was a major behind-the-scenes saga. After experiencing a personal tragedy, Snyder had to step down as director, and Joss Whedon, known for directing the first two Avengers films, took over. Unfortunately, Whedon's artistic direction for the movie diverged significantly from Snyder's, resulting in a disastrous final product. Many scenes and story elements were removed or altered, causing the overall narrative to become disjointed.

Restore The Snyderverse Became The Next Demand

Following this, speculation regarding the existence of a Snyder Cut circulated online, suggesting the existence of a version of the film edited by the director. This gave rise to the famous social media hashtag #ReleaseTheSnyderCut. The popularity of this trend continued to grow over the years, until 2020 when Zack officially confirmed that he was working on his own director's cut of the movie. After witnessing the director's achievements with Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Warner Bros. saw this as an opportunity to replicate that success with the Justice League Snyder Cut, and the streaming numbers clearly demonstrate its triumph.

Following Warner Bros.' announcement of the release of Zack Snyder's director's cut, the future remained uncertain. While Snyder's cut revitalized the faith of Warner Bros. executives in the DCEU, the fate of subsequent films would ultimately determine its success. Regrettably, major DC characters such as Wonder Woman 1984, Black Adam, and The Flash faced disappointment at the box office, despite Black Adam's relative success. As a result, Warner Bros. made the decision to abandon their existing continuity plans and ventured into a new universe led by James Gunn, the newly appointed co-CEO of DC Studios. Unfortunately, this decision backfired, leading to a widespread expression of outrage from fans on social media.

Fans Don't Always Know What Works In The Film Industry

The disillusionment among fans was palpable, particularly with regards to Henry Cavill, who made a brief appearance in Black Adam and was initially welcomed back by DC and Warner Bros. as the iconic Man of Steel. However, to the dismay of supporters, Cavill was subsequently sidelined for future roles, intensifying their frustration and dashed hopes. This led to the rise of the #RestoreTheSnyderverse movement, as passionate fans yearned for the revival of their beloved universe, or at the very least, its coexistence with the DCEU, which had been sold to Netflix. While some deemed these demands as outrageous, the fervent call for the return of the Snyderverse remains steadfast, despite the DCU's new direction. Even as exciting projects like Superman: Legacy continue to be developed, the #RestoreTheSnyderverse movement continues to gain momentum.

The film industry's business side encompasses more than what meets the eye for the average viewer. Similar to any other enterprise, a film studio's objective is to generate profits. While pleasing fans is commendable, it is not always the top priority. It is reasonable to assume that executives may not always prioritize catering to specific fan preferences, as their goal is to appeal to a wider audience, not solely devoted fans of a particular medium.

The DCEU, like other franchises, faced the challenge of becoming overly intricate and required a fresh start. The disappointing performances of The Flash and Shazam: Fury of the Gods demonstrated this need. Although the release of the Snyder Cut initially offered hope for continuity, the failure of subsequent films forced Warner Bros. executives to urge DC Studios to begin afresh. They aimed to create a cohesive universe with a clear vision, ensuring both artistic and financial triumph.