Zack Snyder Fires Back at Critics of His Fans in An Explosive Rant, Defends ‘Batman v Superman’ a Decade Later
Zack Snyder is still defending his take on the DC Universe, ten years after the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The director spoke candidly on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast about the backlash his movie faced and the fan movement that helped bring his version of Justice League to life.
The 2016 release of Batman v Superman was divisive from the start. Critics slammed the movie, while fans were split over Snyder’s darker, more intense approach. The film followed Snyder’s Man of Steel and pushed boundaries by showing Superman kill Zod and Batman taking lethal action against criminals.
On top of that, the plot’s famous “Martha” scene became a widely discussed moment in pop culture. Despite mixed reviews, the movie earned $874 million worldwide, showing that Snyder had struck a chord with a dedicated audience.
“My 100% honest reaction to ‘BvS’ and how it’s received in the world is… Do you really want a movie that’s had all the edges shaved off it by the focus groups?” Snyder asked on the podcast, defending his creative choices. “Do you really want a movie where the decisions have been made in a boardroom, or tested ideas have been rendered for your enjoyment? Do you really want the Kmart version of your story? Is that what you really want?”
Batman v Superman was the foundation of what fans now call the “SnyderVerse.” After Snyder left Justice League due to a family tragedy, Joss Whedon stepped in to rewrite and reshoot parts of the film, which angered many fans. A social media campaign pushed Warner Bros. to release Snyder’s original cut, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League debuted on HBO Max in 2021.
Snyder reflected on the challenges of making a PG-13 film while keeping his vision intact. “When we were trying for the PG-13 rating on ‘BvS,’ the MPAA kept kicking the movie back to us saying, ‘It’s still an R.’ I remember someone saying we got a report from the MPA saying, ‘We just don’t like the idea of Batman fighting Superman. That kind of makes it an R. He really hits him hard with that sink. That’s rude. That feels like an R.’ I’m just like, ‘Okay… let’s just pretend it’s not Batman vs. Superman for one second.’”
He also addressed criticism of his fanbase. Snyder praised their dedication and charitable work, saying, “They catch a lot of flak for being toxic or whatever, but they literally saved human lives. You can go f*** yourselves if that’s what you think.” He highlighted that the fans helped fund suicide prevention efforts while campaigning for the Snyder Cut.
Although Warner Bros. has moved on under James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Gunn’s recent Superman movie receiving positive reviews, Snyder remains proud of his trilogy. “That three movie trilogy is a weed that just won’t die. It grows on its own. 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 not the same thing. It’s a different thing,” he said.
Snyder also hinted that he’s still open to continuing his version of the SnyderVerse in other formats, like animation or comics. “I would never say there is no way,” he explained. “We live in a world where all that is possible.”
The director’s remarks show he’s still fiercely protective of his creative vision and the fans who made it possible.
What do you think about Zack Snyder’s defense of Batman v Superman and the SnyderVerse? Share your thoughts in the comments.
