The Flash Super Bowl trailer has generated a lot of buzz since its debut. But does the main architect of the DCEU, Zack Snyder, support the direction of the DC Universe? According to James Gunn, he does.
Ever since director James Gunn took up the role of Co-CEO and creative head of DC Studios, fans have had mixed reactions to the path the DC projects are taking. This came to a head after it was confirmed Henry Cavill would not be reprising his role as the Man of Steel in the new DC Universe. Moreover, The Flash film is being set up as the effective reset button, ending the DC Extended Universe as we know it.
But what does Zack Snyder have to say about all this? Read on for more.
In response to one of the many Twitter posts calling for Netflix to license the DC Extended Universe from Warner Bros. Discovery, DC Studios Co-CEO James Gunn finally commented on that topic. Unsurprisingly, Gunn shot down the hopes of Snyderverse fans:
I have to say, this has got to be the wackiest hashtag ever since 1) Netflix hasn’t expressed any such interest (although we’ve discussed other stuff) & 2) Zack hasn’t expressed any interest & seems to be happy doing what he’s doing (and, yes, we too have talked).
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 9, 2023
But in the same tweet, Gunn noted that they have discussed something else with Netflix. Plus, the chief architect of the DC Universe along with Co-CEO Peter Safran stated that he has had talks with Zack Snyder.
It should be noted that as the DCEU was experiencing a lack of direction, Zack Snyder kept himself busy with his own projects. After successfully completing his version of the Justice League film that propelled HBO Max to new heights in subscription numbers, the filmmaker focused on his own properties, such as Army of the Dead and Army of Thieves, both on the Netflix streaming service.
With the success Snyder has enjoying on Netflix, he is about to launch his own take on a Star Wars-like franchise with the upcoming Rebel Moon. But this success outside of the DCEU is exactly what fueled Snyderverse fans to call for Netflix to negotiate a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to continue the DCEU on its platform.
The hashtag #SellSnyderVerseToNetflix served as the battle cry for these fans on social media, which continues to trend on a daily basis. However, it seems Snyder himself contacted James Gunn to express his support of the direction the new DC Universe is taking.
He contacted me to express his support about my choices. He’s a great guy. Again, he seems really happy with the massive world building he’s doing now.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 9, 2023
While it is not far-fetched, particularly with Warner Bros. reportedly licensing its past and future animated projects to Amazon Prime, it is highly unlikely for the DCEU to continue in the same way. James Gunn has stated they are rebuilding the DC Universe to be more consistent and to be tied together, whether it is in animation, live action film and TV, and video games.
Anything that is not directly connected to the DC Universe but still makes use of DC Comics properties will be identified as being under the Elseworlds alternate realities, such as Matt Reeves’s The Batman and Todd Phillips’s Joker films.
With the debut of the full The Flash trailer during Super Bowl LVII, fans may be seeing the last vestige of the DCEU. The scenes with Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne/Batman elicited some of the biggest responses on social media, but some fans have expressed their disgust that the cameos of Gal Gadot and Henry Cavill have apparently been removed from the final cut of the film.
Directed by Andy Muschietti, The Flash stars Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Kiersey Clemons, Ron Livingston, and Maribel Verdú. The DC Universe superhero film runs to theaters June 16, 2023.
