Director Zack Snyder discussed the enduring impact of his Justice League trilogy and shared insights on how the saga, which includes the Henry Cavill Superman Trilogy, might evolve despite the recent launch of the new DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran. His comments came during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, marking the 10-year anniversary of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), the sequel to his 2013 film Man of Steel and a lead-in to his Justice League (2021) installment.
Snyder’s conversation touched on the transition from the DCEU version of Superman, played by Henry Cavill, to the recasting of the character with David Corenswet for the recently established DC Universe. Cavill portrayed Superman throughout the DCEU, beginning with Man of Steel, then in Batman v Superman, two cuts of Justice League, and a cameo in Black Adam (2022).
The End of Henry Cavill’s Run as Superman
Despite Cavill’s long tenure as Superman, his involvement with the character has come to a close. Many devoted Snyder fans feel Cavill was unfairly sidelined and should be given another opportunity in the role. In 2022, there was initial excitement when it was announced Cavill would return for upcoming DC projects, but later that year, the actor confirmed on social media that he would no longer be taking on the role following meetings with the new leadership at DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran.
James Gunn later explained that confusion arose because Warner Bros. prematurely announced Cavill’s return while Gunn and Safran were already developing their own plans, featuring David Corenswet as Superman. Gunn expressed regret over the miscommunication, saying it was terrible to break the news to Cavill.
Unrealized Plans for Man of Steel 2
Snyder reignited speculation about a possible continuation of Cavill’s Superman when he posted a photo of the actor in his Superman costume with the caption Henry Cavill is Superman. However, no official plans exist for a theatrical sequel featuring Cavill’s Superman. The DC Universe will move forward with new films, including Supergirl (2026) and Clayface (2026), scheduled for release later this year.
Fans continue to desire a direct follow-up to Man of Steel, distinct from Batman v Superman, which served as both a continuation and the introduction of Batman and Justice League to the universe. During his interview, Snyder revealed he had envisioned a standalone Man of Steel 2, featuring Cavill facing off against the villain Brainiac, emphasizing that the entire Justice League saga essentially centers on Superman’s journey, no matter how prominent Batman’s role appears.
“full Justice League saga is a Superman story, regardless of how much Batman plays into it.”
Zack Snyder’s Views on James Gunn’s Superman and the New DC Universe
Contrary to the anxious discourse found online, Snyder expressed no bitterness about the DCU supplanting the DCEU and the Snyderverse. He accepted the natural passing of the torch, acknowledging that different creators will handle these iconic characters in their own ways.
“Other people will take them [the characters] and other people will take them after that, and that’s how it should be,”
Regarding the 2025 Superman film directed and written by James Gunn, Snyder remained supportive and optimistic:
“James is cool. I wish them all the best. It is what it is. That three-movie trilogy [Man of Steel, BvS, Justice League] is a weed that just won’t die. It grows on its own. It has its own life. It’s not concerned with James’ Superman, which is amazing and all the best to them. I can’t wait to see the next movie. It’s awesome. To me, it’s just not the same thing. It’s just like a different thing.”
Prospects for the Snyderverse Beyond the Justice League Films
When asked about the potential for the Snyderverse to continue independently of the broader DCEU and the newly formed DCU, Snyder acknowledged the possibility was still open. He hesitated to close the door entirely on future projects, stating:
“I would never say that there’s no way.”
He further expressed hope that elements of the Justice League sequels he once planned could resurface in other formats such as comics or animation, stating:
“We live in a world where all that is possible. Whatever form it would take, that would be amazing.”
The Role of Fans in Bringing Justice League (2021) to Life
Snyder also took a moment to highlight the crucial support from fans that made the release of the 2021 Justice League cut possible. He recalled the difficult journey, marked by skepticism and setbacks:
“I was on the ride that created Justice League, and if you were in my shoes there were numerous times, dark times, when there was no chance that there will ever be my version of it. It will never exist. It can’t… cost, politics, everything stood against.”
He emphasized the fans’ dedication beyond just the film’s release, adding:
“And yet it exists. The fans should never forget they did that. They also raised a ton of money for suicide prevention. They did a lot of good. They catch a lot of flak for being toxic or whatever, but they literally saved human lives.”
This fan-driven effort underlines how passionate the audience has remained about the Snyderverse and Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman, keeping the discussion about his trilogy alive even amid the evolving landscape of DC properties.
As the DC Universe forges ahead with new characters and stories, the possibility of Snyder’s vision continuing in some form remains a topic of eager speculation, both in films and other storytelling media.
