The future of Zack Snyder’s DC universe appears more promising following recent reports indicating that Netflix is interested in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery. This potential acquisition could pave the way for Snyder’s vision to be realized once again, after years of demand from a dedicated fanbase.
Snyder was instrumental in establishing the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), directing significant films such as Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League. While his films have drawn mixed reviews, he cultivated a loyal following that led to the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max in 2021. This version of the film was a direct result of fan campaigning after Snyder’s departure from the franchise in 2017, when Joss Whedon stepped in to complete the project.
Renewed interest in the Snyderverse has been amplified by a fan campaign to convince Netflix to pick up the franchise. According to a report by Bloomberg, both Netflix and Comcast are considering acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery. Should Netflix successfully purchase the company, it would gain access to the DC intellectual property, including Snyder’s films, thus opening the door for a revival of his work.
In 2024, Scott Stuber, Netflix’s former head of Films, addressed the possibility of reviving the Snyderverse during an interview. Stuber noted that while it was complicated due to ownership rights, Netflix expressed an interest in licensing the Snyderverse. He stated, “The more Zack we have, the better we are,” indicating a willingness to incorporate Snyder’s vision if the rights issues could be resolved.
If Netflix were to secure the rights to the DC library, the only remaining obstacle would be the current direction of the DCEU under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. Both Snyder’s vision and Gunn’s new DC universe could coexist, as Snyder previously mentioned his desire to conclude his Justice League trilogy through animated films. This approach could allow for Gunn’s 10-year plan to unfold while providing a proper send-off to beloved characters such as Henry Cavill’s Superman.
Given the precedents set by DC’s history of standalone animated films, a revival of Snyder’s franchise in this format could satisfy both fans and new audiences. The potential for a creative partnership between Snyder and Netflix represents an intriguing avenue for the future of the DCEU, offering a chance to complete unfinished stories while maintaining the fresh direction envisioned by Gunn.
As negotiations unfold, fans will be watching closely to see if Snyder’s vision can make a triumphant return, bringing along familiar faces from his previous films, including Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman and Ben Affleck as Batman. The intersection of these two creative paths could reshape the landscape of superhero films in the coming years, a development that many have long awaited.
