The long-running fan movement to revive the Snyderverse, Zack Snyder’s original vision for the DC Universe, has hit a fresh obstacle. Over the years, fans have been lobbying to have a follow-up to the darker, mythic, interconnected storyline that started with ‘Man of Steel’ and ends with ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’.
However, even with the ongoing campaigns and online buzz, the road to revival has become much more complex due to recent studio changes. Now, the latest news about the possible sale of Warner Bros. Discovery has brought a new set of uncertainties. After Netflix showed interest in taking over, many, many people thought it could revive the Snyderverse. However, the platform is no longer being considered the best candidate to purchase the huge IP.
A Warner Bros. Sale Would Change DC, But Not Necessarily Benefit The Snyderverse
Industry insiders have been speculating on whether or not Warner Bros. Discovery will ultimately be sold as the studio struggles with debt, restructuring issues, and a radically changing entertainment environment. It was reported that three studios were about to bid: Netflix, Paramount, and Comcast. Nevertheless, Netflix was the only one that excited Snyderverse fans. Why? Netflix has already established a good working relationship with Zack Snyder.
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The ‘Rebel Moon’ franchise by the filmmaker, as well as previous Netflix executives showing interest in licensing Snyder to make DC movies, was an indication that the streamer has been willing to revisit that universe, had it been legally allowed to do so. Netflix takes risks. It is not afraid of fan-created content and uninhibited continuity. For Snyder fans, it was a ray of sunshine. However, now, the story has changed.
According to a new report, Paramount Skydance is currently the top contender to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, surpassing Netflix. Although Paramount refused to collaborate with Middle Eastern sovereign funds on a huge bid of 71 billion dollars, the Paramount-Skydance alliance is still the leader in the negotiation. This is important since Paramount and Comcast do not have any creative relationship with Snyder. Nor do they have studio incentives to rejuvenate a divisive, discontinued cinematic universe, particularly when DC Studios.
As the new ‘Superman’ was a huge success, most studios would rather move forward than backward. Going back to the Snyder universe, with its alternative cast and incomplete storylines, would be confusing to the audience and weaken the brand strategy. For Paramount especially, resurrecting a universe they had no hand in building makes little corporate sense.
If Snyderverse Ever Returns, What Stories Could It Tell And How?
Though the business prospects are bleak, the concept of the Snyderverse coming back is not entirely unthinkable. It’s just more complicated. Although a different studio than Netflix may buy Warner Bros., there are still long-shot chances that the universe created by Snyder will be continued in one way or another. So, the question naturally arises: how could it come back, and what would it tell?
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Warner Bros. has been open to standalone, alternate-universe projects even with DC under the leadership of James Gunn. An Elseworlds project could be a Snyderverse continuation: parallel to the primary DCU, but independent in tone. It could easily fulfill the five-movie arc that Snyder intended. In this format, Snyder would not have to recreate the universe, just complete it.
Additionally, if a studio were willing to take a streaming-forward approach, the Snyderverse could continue as a multi-episode cinematic miniseries, similar to how Zack Snyder’s Justice League was initially structured. The division of the last chapters into episodic narration would make the format more modern and simplify the production expenses. Snyder had initially planned a five-movie cycle that would culminate in an expansive war between the heroes of Earth and Darkseid.
This vision was partially revealed in the Justice League, but the planned sequels would have demonstrated Superman falling into the hands of Darkseid and followed Batman’s final sacrifice to save Lois and redeem the world. It was epic, mythic, tragic, and emotionally grand. If restored in any form, fans would expect Snyder to finish this arc. The Knightmare timeline, the complete invasion of Darkseid, the corruption and redemption of Superman, and the ultimate heroism of Batman are all among the largest unfinished stories in contemporary film.
