The Snyder Cut exists and it’s coming to HBO Max

The internet got it done. After ceaselessly imploring Warner Bros. to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut for years, it’s finally happening…in 2021.

Some background: Justice League came out in theaters in 2017. This was the DC answer to Disney’s Avengers movies, a big spectacle that would bring characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and more together in one big superhero spectacular. It was directed by Zack Snyder, but partway through he had to step down due to a family emergency, and Avengers director Joss Whedon was brought in to finish it up. The resulting movie was a bit of a mish-mash. Critics panned the film and it didn’t make nearly as much at the box office as Warner Bros. was hoping.

Almost immediately afterward, fans started to demand that Warner Bros. #ReleaseTheSnyderCut, a now-legendary cut of the movie that preserved Zack Snyder’s original vision, whatever that was. The actors and Snyder himself played into it, tweeting hints and calling for the release right along with fans, but it was never 100% clear if they were being earnest or just having fun, or if the cut even existed.

Well, it does. Or at least it will when it lands on HBO Max. “I want to thank HBO Max and Warner Brothers for this brave gesture of supporting artists and allowing their true visions to be realized,” said Snyder. “Also a special thank you to all of those involved in the SnyderCut movement for making this a reality.”

Warner Media exec Robert Greenblatt also made a statement:

"Since I got here 14 months ago, the chant to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut has been a daily drumbeat in our offices and inboxes. Well, the fans have asked, and we are thrilled to finally deliver. At the end of the day, it really is all about them and we are beyond excited to be able to release Zack’s ultimate vision for this film in 2021. This could never have happened if it weren’t for the hard work and combined efforts of the teams at HBO Max and Warner Bros. Pictures."

Greenblatt doesn’t mention exactly when in 2021 we’ll see the Snyder Cut, but the confirmation of its existence is enough for now. Also, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder is still undecided whether the movie will be a “four-hour director’s cut” or if it’ll be “split into six ‘chapters’,” like a Justice League miniseries. There are things to work out.

Okay, so here’s my question: did the Snyder Cut always exist and Warner Bros. are just now deciding to release it; or did it maybe exist in a halfway-done state, with special effects not added with no plans to really soup it up, and Warner Bros. is only choosing to take it all the way because of the fan movement? In a very real way, I think the fans calling for the studio to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut made the Snyder Cut.

And I’m sure HBO Max will be happy for the content. WarnerMedia’s new streaming service releases in exactly one week, and while it looks interesting, the high price tag makes it a bit of a tough sell with stuff like Netflix and Hulu and Disney+ around. Now, WarnerMedia has at least one group of guaranteed customers.

And for an alternative perspective…

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