This Proves The Snyder Cut Is More Than Just A Cash Grab

The Snyder Cut: the uncut version of Justice League that director Zack Snyder originally intended. For some, the very idea conjures a joy which can hardly be contained, a feeling of hope that the 2017 superhero flick had potential after all. For others, the Snyder Cut is nothing but a pipe dream, something that can't possibly redeem what they consider well beyond irredeemable.

Whether you're clamoring for it to hit your screen faster or cringing at its imminent arrival, the fact is that the Snyder Cut really is coming to HBO Max in 2021 under the title Zack Snyder's Justice League. How it will turn out is anyone's guess, but its release is as inevitable as Darkseid himself. And as of July 2020, we've gotten some interesting news regarding the lofty goals of this contentious director's cut — and just what we can expect when it finally arrives in our homes.

The July 2020 promotional event Justice Con — streamed online to maintain social distancing, just like San Diego Comic-Con — featured Snyder in the appropriately named "Spotlight on Zack Snyder" panel. The hour-long interview covered a lot of ground, but perhaps the most notable tidbit lasted no more than a few seconds.

In answering whether or not the film will truly be titled Zack Snyder's Justice League (which, to make a long story short, it may or may not be, depending how the legal side of things plays out), Snyder commented on the whopping $20-30 million Warner Bros. is granting him to complete his vision. "It's just exciting for me to get this chance, and regardless, I don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I just love working on it, and I would do it for free — and I am," the director gushed, chuckling with what seemed like genuine happiness.

Yes indeed, folks: to hear him tell it, Snyder is working on his larger-than-life production of Justice League 100 percent free of charge. Talk about a passion project!

Generally speaking, how much a director makes depends upon a vast array of factors, but they are obviously not alone in the filmmaking process. That $20-30 million is going somewhere, with an army of digital artists and post-production specialists likely happy for the work and an A-list cast presumably getting some sort of compensation for use of their unseen work. But none of it is apparently sliding into Snyder's pocket — and seeing how invested he is in the whole shebang, things are looking up for DC fans and hopefuls. Even Justice League haters can't completely turn their noses up now.

Considering the enormous financial failure Justice League experienced in the box office and how it was panned by audiences and critics alike — not to mention that Snyder was also behind the so-so Man of Steel and the reviled Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice — Warner Bros. must have quite a bit of faith in Snyder this time around. They're not lending him chump change, after all.

According to Snyder himself, Justice League was but a mere piece of an overall five-part arc. Similar to how Marvel weaves an overarching tapestry with each new entry in its cinematic universe, Snyder's initial plan may have introduced the concept of connectivity to the DC side of the superhero movie veil. Even with fewer films under its belt, the potential cohesion may have canceled out how rushed many people believe Justice League felt.

The Snyder Cut may only be a single movie, but it will fulfill some of Snyder's original dreams via its Lord of the Rings-like runtime of four hours (which is not yet absolutely confirmed, but likely). As it now stands in its theatrical cut, Justice League is half that long, so the possibilities of what might happen in all that extra time are ripe for speculation.

One thing that already has fans going wild: Superman's black suit, revealed during the Justice Con interview. Knowing it'll be in the film shifts speculation in a different direction: how will the black suit play a role in developing Superman's character and the relationships he forms with his superpowered teammates? Could it have to do with the comics, or does Snyder have a different reason for its inclusion?

New characters are also entirely possible. The Justice League roster currently includes Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Cyborg, Aquaman, and Superman (sort of). Comics aficionados know how many more heroes have filled in spots on the team over the years, Martian Manhunter being a prominent one. Snyder previously spoke about a scene featuring the alien left on the cutting room floor, which is as good a sign as any. Introductions for Green Lantern and the Atom have also been discussed. All three would make great additions, seeing as their respective powers all differ immensely from those of the current roster.

What about scenes and characters already established in Justice League? It only makes sense to assume that the Snyder Cut's longer runtime will reveal new information — maybe even change some of it. Cyborg in particular should receive some special attention, if what Snyder's said in the past is to be believed. And where there's one change like that, there are likely to be ripple effects.