Zack Snyder's Take on Toxic Fans and Potential Cinema Comeback
Zack Snyder opens up about his devoted fan base and the possibility of his return to the big screen, shedding light on his perspective towards the term toxic within the fan community
Zack Snyder is a highly polarizing mainstream director in the world of cinema. In a recent interview, he addressed the "toxic" faction of his fans and the possibility of directing another major film.
Although his adaptation of Watchmen caused a split in opinions, his time in the DCEU was even more divisive. It began with Man of Steel, his darker and more intense take on Superman, and culminated in his most controversial film yet: Batman v Superman.
After a critical and commercial disappointment with the 2017 theatrical release of Justice League, Zack Snyder returned to the helm to finally complete his DC journey with the Snyder Cut in 2021. Since then, he has directed Army of the Dead and Rebel Moon for Netflix, raising questions about whether he will ever return to movie theaters with another studio.
Zack Snyder discusses his “toxic” fans and returning to cinemas one day
The effort to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut was grueling, intense, and eventually exhausting. Fans went to great lengths to make the director's cut a reality, whether it was flying banners over Comic-Con or flooding social media platforms with demands through tweets, YouTube videos, and Instagram posts.
The intentions were admirable: people simply wanted to see the conclusion of a saga promised by a beloved filmmaker, and they also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity. However, amidst the overwhelming passion of fans seeking the movie they felt entitled to, some individuals began to cause trouble. It's like Alfred said: "That's how it starts: the fever, the rage, the feeling of powerlessness."
In an interview with Wired, Snyder stated, "There are many toxic fans, and I do not support that behavior. But for each toxic fan, there were genuine and absurdly dark attacks on me and my family. I am not justifying any bad behavior, but I have tried to do my best in engaging with this fandom."
When asked if he is still interested in theatrical releases, given his collaborations with Netflix, Snyder revealed that he has been given a lot of creative freedom with his films and new franchises.
"I have my doubts about whether having a movie in theaters should also lead to a streaming release. I believe that is still a matter of debate," he commented. (For context, Rebel Moon Part 1 will have a limited theatrical release prior to being available on Netflix.)
"I don't believe it should. But when a movie is made for theaters, it offers an incredible experience. I watched Barbie and Oppenheimer in theaters, and they were fantastic. That's something I enjoy and want to continue doing," Snyder concluded.
Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire hits Netflix on December 22, 2023. Find out more here.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of Zack Snyder, I have mixed feelings about his recent comments on toxic fans and his potential cinema comeback. On the one hand, I understand his frustration with a small but vocal minority of fans who have engaged in harassing behavior towards him and his family. No one should have to endure that kind of abuse, and I support Snyder's decision to speak out against it.
On the other hand, I worry that Snyder's comments may alienate some of his more passionate fans, who feel that he is dismissing their concerns and criticisms. I believe that Snyder's films are often misunderstood and underappreciated, and I think it's important for him to engage with his fans in a constructive way.
Overall, I hope that Snyder's comments will help to raise awareness of the issue of toxic fandom and that it will encourage fans to be more respectful and supportive of each other and the filmmakers they admire. I also hope that Snyder will continue to make films that challenge and inspire audiences, and that he will find a way to connect with his fans in a positive way.
