As hype for the Snyder Cut grows we have five reasons you should also be excited about the newest version of the Justice League

HBO Max is welcoming a whole host of new content to their platform this upcoming year. Among anticipated titles like Godzilla vs. Kong and Mortal Kombat is Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Otherwise referred to as the Snyder Cut, this edition of the 2017 released Justice League film comes solely from the mind of Zack Snyder. Due to a personal family tragedy, Snyder was forced to step away from the superhero team up flick during post production. As a result, Avengers director Joss Whedon was brought in an uncredited role. Through the leadership of both Whedon and Warner Brothers, Justice League changed rapidly from Snyder’s version that many fell in love with during Man of Steel. When DC efficianatos caught wind of the circumstances of Zac Snyder’s departure, fan demand for a cut of the film that was more faithful to original vision. Despite doubt from nearly everyone in both the industry and outside of it, Warner Brothers made the decision to move forward with the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League exclusively on HBO Max. As fans wait in anticipation for the March 18th release date, Zack Snyder has been keeping appetites curbed on Twitter. The director has slowly been building up hype by giving exclusive sneak peaks at characters, locations, and events left out of the original cut. 

If you aren’t excited for the release of the Snyder Cut yet here are five things that might curb your interest. 

The Joker is Back

We haven’t seen a glimpse of Jared Leto’s Joker since 2016’s Suicide Squad. He was understandably absent from the Harley Quinn solo outing Birds of Prey and didn’t make an appearance in Whedon’s Justice League. Although an origin story film based on the character of the Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix was released in late 2019, it has nothing to do with the rest of the DC universe and is considered a stand alone project. When Zack Snyder posted a blurry photo of Leto’s Joker on Twitter fans went wild. There is wide speculation that we may even get a scene including both Ben Affleck’s Batman and the Joker. This would be the first onscreen encounter between the characters (in their respective identities) since 2008’s The Dark Knight. It has been widely reported that the Snyder Cut will focus heavily on character backstory and lore. A scene between Bruce Wayne and his greatest nemesis would provide just that. 

Amazing character you created. Honored to have our worlds collide. @DavidAyerMovies @JaredLeto pic.twitter.com/6FubzkPh4Y

— Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder) February 2, 2021

More Cyborg 

One of the things fans missed the most from the 2017 edition of the Justice League was Victor Stone. The character of Cyborg, a former college athlete infused with alien technology, was one that moviegoers have wanted to get to know since his brief appearance in Batman V Superman. However, many were left disappointed by the character’s lack of screen time, something that was reportedly cut down. In the Snyder Cut, Cyborg has been repeatedly referred to as the heart of the film. Fans can expect several scenes expanding on the character’s backstory, abilities, and personality. Snyder has also hinted that Cyborg will have a particularly unique antagonistic relationship with the villain of the movie Steppenwolf. 

New Characters

Due to time constraints to adhere to a theatrical release at least ten characters were cut from Whedon’s version of Justice League. Luckily, HBO Max has given Zack Snyder the opportunity to make his Justice League as long as necessary. This means that the final runtime of the Snyder Cut will be a whopping three-and-a-half-hours. Several clues as to who would come back in the Snyder cut have been parsed out by fans over the years. These include tracking down a short scene where Barry Allen aka The Flash saves his girlfriend Iris West from a car crash. The relationship between Barry and Iris is very much beloved and was adapted in the CW show The Flash. Another fan favorite character who will make an appearance is Ryan Choi or popular DC superhero and eventual Justice League member Atom as well as Aquaman’s mentor Nuidis Vulko played by Willem Dafoe. On the villains side of things expect to see Justice League antagonist Darkseid alongside follower Desaad. It is also said that the Snyder cut will include additional backstory on the big bad of the film Steppenwolf as well as his mother and sisters. 

Snyder gave us a first look at one of the new characters on his Twitter recently. Martian Manhunter is considered one of the most powerful beings in the DC universe. He is also a member of the Justice League, in fact, an original member. This isn’t the first time we’re meeting Martian Manhunter. Harry Lennix has actually been portraying the role secretly since 2013’s Man of Steel as General Calvin Swanwick. It is expected that Justice League will reveal that Martian Manhunter is using the body of Swanwick in order to fit into Earth society. 

#ZackSnydersJusticeLeague pic.twitter.com/VBWXYVu9uX

— Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder) January 31, 2021

Connection to Other Films

You’re probably thinking that it won’t be worth it to tune into the Snyder Cut since you had already seen the 2017 edition of Justice League. However, something you may not know is that Zack Snyder’s Justice League is now canon in the DC cinematic universe. Jason Momoa has stated that his 2018 film Aquaman directed by James Wan takes place after Zack Snyder’s Justice League rather than Whedon’s version. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman 1984 filmmaker Patty Jenkins has been vocal about her support for Snyder. She even revealed that the other D.C. directors agreed that Snyder’s Justice League is the definitive version and she even kept in close contact with Zack to maintain continuity for Wonder Woman’s character. If you want to see your favorite DC films from a new perspective then you definitely want to check out Zack Snyder’s Justice League. 

The Menu 

We understand that three-and-a-half-hours is a long viewing experience. However, HBO Max seemed to have realized this as well because they provided a unique way to enjoy your viewing experience. Due to the coronavirus pandemic many in the United States cannot venture to their local theater to do things like grab popcorn or candy. Thus, the Justice League menu was created. Park Row, an upcoming high-end DC Comics-themed restaurant in London is working with Warner Brothers and Wonderland Restaurants to create an immersive at home dining experience. Shaped like the Mother Box from the film the inside contains ingredients to prepare seven unique dishes specific to the Justice League characters. Each course in the box is revealed as March 18th gets closer.  The first two dishes are the Ocean Trench, icelandic cod and chips with trench dressing based on Aquaman, and The Big Belly Burger, a meal so good The Flash would gobble it up instantly. 

Our first course is the Ocean Trench, an Aquaman inspired take on the classic fish and chips. Designed by Michelin starred chef Karl O'Dell, it's Icelandic cod piled high on a crisp potato base, drizzled with a tart French dressing and topped with beer batter scraps. pic.twitter.com/rZThSfgffz

— Wonderland (@Wldathome) January 31, 2021

So now are you excited for the film? Let us know in the comments!