Zack Snyder’s DC Universe is unlikely to come back after a recent update essentially put the final nail in the franchise’s coffin. Snyder helmed three movies set in the old DCEU before the shared universe was replaced with James Gunn’s new DCU. All three of the director’s DCEU films, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, ended up being divisive. The reason for that is that Snyder had a clear vision for a darker DC universe that clashed with the classic versions of a few beloved heroes.

Nevertheless, the director amᴀssed a loyal following, which managed to get Warner Bros. Discovery to release the Snyder Cut of 2017’s Justice League after four years of campaigning for it to happen. Many details of Snyder’s original plans for Justice League 2 and a possible trilogy finale have since been revealed, which has led to new campaigns for the Snyderverse to be revived in live-action on Netflix, the studio Snyder has since built a good relationship with, or through animation. However, a recent update from a DC star hinders the chances of the franchise ever returning.

Zack Snyder Would Gladly Return To His DC Universe

The Director Keeps The Fans’ Hopes Alive

The fuel behind the campaign to have the Snyderverse return was renewed by the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021. However, if the director later said that he was ready to move on from the franchise, the fan campaign would not have been as active as it continues to be. The reason many DC fans remain committed to the possible comeback of the franchise is that Snyder wants to return to conclude his DC movies, with the director commenting on the possibility in 2023, though he has one condition.

Rather than working with Warner again, Snyder claims he would gladly return to his Justice League saga if Netflix managed to get the rights to the versions of the characters from his DC universe. The fan campaign to get the Snyderverse to continue on Netflix has made its way to Scott Stuber, Netflix’s former Film Chief, in 2024. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Stuber claimed that the studio would be happy to continue the Snyderverse, saying, “Obviously, we would like to license it at some point.” However, one key DCEU actor has made that unlikely to ever happen.

Ben Affleck Has Put The Final Nail In The Snyderverse’s Coffin

The Batman Actor Has Commented On His Superhero Movie Future

Even if Netflix managed to jump through the many legal hoops there would be in such a complex situation, the studio would need to get Justice League‘s key cast for the Snyderverse to properly return. That may now be nearly impossible, as one of the main stars of Snyder’s DC movies is done with the superhero genre. Recently, Batman actor Ben Affleck opened up about how he has no interest in ever making a superhero movie ever again. The star commented on how he lost interest in the genre and has no desire to play Batman or another superhero.

According to Affleck, he had a good time as Batman in his first DCEU movie, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. However, with the many problems he had going on both in his personal life and due to the stressful Justice League movie production — The Avengers director Joss Whedon was brought in for extensive reshoots while Snyder was let go — Affleck has no desire to replicate that negative experience in a future superhero movie. With the actor set on never returning to the superhero genre, the Snyderverse’s return would have to recast Batman, losing a lot of its appeal.

Why The Return Of The Snyderverse Does Not Make Sense For DC

The Studio Has Other Plans For A Shared Universe

Affleck’s lack of desire to return as Batman is likely the final nail in the Snyderverse’s coffin, as DC has already moved on to a new shared universe. James Gunn’s DCU started last year with the animated Creature Commandos. It will continue in a big way with the release of Superman this July. The studio recast the Man of Steel, with David Corenswet taking over the role Henry Cavill played in Snyder’s DC movies. Jason Momoa, who was the DCEU’s Aquaman, will be the only actor from the Justice League to continue, albeit now as Lobo.

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Adding to Affleck’s comments is the fact that not only was the Snyderverse controversial, but the final movies starring the heroes he cast for the Justice League underperformed at the box office. Ezra Miller’s The Flash was a historic box office bomb, while Momoa’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom fell hundreds of millions short of the original Aquaman‘s over $1 billion performance. At a time when DC is trying to forge a new path ahead, continuing the Snyderverse, even as an Elseworlds franchise, would mean picking back up the baggage the studio wants to forget.

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