Zack Snyder has been revealing more and more secrets about Batman v Superman on social media, unearthing hidden Easter eggs and confirming deeper themes. The director may have stepped away from the DCEU, but he evidently still cares a lot about the nascent superhero universe, happily pointing out details to fans on Vero and even expressing support for a "challenge" to find more Easter Eggs.Fans of the DCEU have, of course, been probing Dawn of Justice for extra details since it released in 2016, but now many of their biggest theories are being endorsed by their creator - and added to thanks to nuggets from Snyder's "head-canon". They don't just relate to Batman v Superman, however, with the full set of secrets giving DC fans a glimpse into Snyder's intentions for Justice League and beyond.
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There's been a lot of reveals recently, and as to best show Snyder's true vision, we've collected them all here. However, it's worth noting that, while these come from the director of the movie at hand, they may not be DCEU "canon"; they are Snyder's interpretations from making the movie, and as he's no longer working on the shared universe could be changed by Warner Bros. going forward.
- This Page: The DCEU's Secret History of Batman and Lex Luthor
Why Bruce Wayne Abandoned Wayne Manor
The Batman of BvS is different to any other version of the Dark Knight. One of the most curious deviations is found in the fact Bruce has abandoned Wayne Manor. Instead, Bruce and his butler Alfred have moved out to a lake house. But as challenging as that may seem, in Snyder's view, the lake house is important to the Waynes; Thomas Wayne commissioned the lake house as a gift to his mother, built by her favorite architect. Bruce's decision to move in, then, continues the "Martha" plot thread. At age 18, he moved into the lake house in part as a way to feel close to his mother. As for Wayne Manor, Bruce ordered that it be left to decompose.
Of course, none of this backstory is presented as part of the film itself, leaving it open to reinterpretation in the future. That said, it's a detail that does reinforce the controversial "Martha" theme, so it's actually quite a valuable insight.
The Robin Costume Didn't Belong to Jason Todd
Marketing for BvS strongly teased that one of the Robins had died, killed by the Joker, with the shot if Bruce Wayne stood before a case containing a battered costume prominent in the trailers. Comic book fans understandably associated this with the classic story "A Death in the Family," in which Jason Todd - the second Robin - is beaten to death by a crowbar-wielding Joker. Suicide Squad added that Harley Quinn had been involved in Robin's death.
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But it turns out that may not have been Jason Todd's costume after all. In one post, Snyder teased that he may have actually intended Dick Grayson to have been the Joker's victim. Presumably, Snyder was intending to streamline Batman's history, to suggest Dick's death left Batman isolated and alone, never taking on another apprentice.
This is likely to be changed from Snyder's intent going forward, however. Warner Bros. has already commissioned a Nightwing movie starring Dick Grayson, meaning the suit could wind up being Jason Todd's after all.
Was That Robin's Bike?
Speaking of Robin, eagle-eyed fans had already noticed a bike in the Batcave. It was clearly reminiscent of a motorbike Robin used in the comics, and they approached Snyder for clarification. Snyder wasted little time in giving it. "I like to think it was Robin's," he replied. "Bruce can't get rid of it." It's a more subtle but poignant detail of Batman's grief, giving a sense of how much Robin's death shook the Dark Knight.
Lex Luthor had his Father Killed
One of the most controversial aspects of Batman v Superman was Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor. This reinvented version combined the '90s "Young Lex" with the modern, mercurial social media tycoons. This twisted Luthor was scarred by a harsh upbringing, saying to Superman "No man in the sky intervened when I was a boy to save me from daddy's fists and abominations."
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It turns out the implications were darker than many had realized, with Snyder revealing he was implying that Luthor had ultimately committed patricide, murdering his father Alexander. However, he didn't go into much detail beyond confirmation, saying he'd leave that "for another time" as "it's a long story." Given his appearnce in Justice League's post-credits scene, we probably haven't seen the end of Lex.
Explaining The Opening Scene of Batman v Superman
As well as explaining characters, Snyder has provided new info on the plot of the film. He's talked about the strange and surreal Batman v Superman opening sequence, which shows an artistic recreation of the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne making way for Bruce dreaming of their funeral and being lifted up by bats.
The director, who called the sequence "A Beautiful Lie", said it was meant to show how "the good man seeks justice" but that quest put "his own moral code is in question", with his grief meaning the "lie of the light becomes justice".
Batman Uses Sex As a Drug
One aspect of Batman v Superman that only got referenced in one scene but was evidently important to Snyder was Bruce Wayne's relationships. Early on, we see the billionaire wake up in bed alongside an unknown woman and surrounded by wine bottles; he deliberately tried to imply that Bruce used sex as a drug to escape his pain.
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This is backed up by Snyder placing a sample of Robert Mapplethorpe's art over the bed. An American photographer, Mapplethorpe was known for his homoerotic artwork and openly referred to some of his photography as pornographic; he believed it could arouse the viewer, yet still could be regarded as high art. The photo draws attention to the perverse aspect of the scene and highlights Bruce's pain.
While it's somewhat intense, this does fit traditional Batman. The reality is that Bruce Wayne has always carefully cultivated a playboy image, and Snyder's idea - that he uses sex as an addictive drug "to momentarily forget his pain" - fits nicely with that.
How Gotham Sees Batman
Despite introducing Gotham City, Batman v Superman didn't delve too deep into Batman's relationship with the GCPD; Commissioner Gordon wasn't even introduced until Justice League. However, eagle-eyed viewers could have got a taste of it. Snyder revealed an editorial cartoon taped to a desk in the police station set showing the police embracing Batman's violent brand of justice, accompanied by the caption "BAT-ter up!" Given this version of Batman actually goes so far as killing his foes, it suggests the police happily turn a blind eye to the deaths.
RELATED: Why Batman Kills People In Batman V Superman
A Recurring Cyborg Easter Egg
One of the stranger subplots in Batman v Superman involved constant references to football games. The Ultimate Edition featured a scene in which two cops were watching a game, and shortly after, Perry White began haranguing Clark to write a football story. He even pitched a headline, "Underdog Dreams Dashed 10 Yards Between Gotham and Glory."
The film spent quite a lot of time discussing this football game, and one Vero user suggested it may be connected to Cyborg; before he ever became a cybernetic being, Victor Stone was a celebrated footballer. Snyder, for his part, seemed amused that this had finally been spotted. "Someone is paying attention," he noted.
Superman's Day of the Dead Rescue Visualizes His Conflict
One of the most visually powerful scenes in Batman v Superman was the Man of Steel's visit to Mexico. Superman rescues a girl from a burning building, with the camera angles deliberately giving the sense that he's some sort of "higher power" choosing to intervene, then he lands surrounded by Day of the Dead revelers; Superman's literally surrounded by skulls.
Many fans felt - following on from the skull dream sequence in Man of Steel, that this was intended to show that Superman was weighed down by the death and suffering he'd seen on Earth; something Snyder later confirmed this.
Batman v Superman Has "One Hour Left"
"When you came here, you had an hour. Now, it's less." The confrontation between Superman and Lex Luthor is one of the darkest moments in the film; Superman has completely underestimated his opponent and now has less than an hour to save his mother - by killing Batman.
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Funnily enough, the theatrical cut of Batman v Superman ends exactly one hour later. Although it's unclear whether or not this was intended - after all, the Ultimate Edition is half-an-hour longer - Snyder has stated that the production team "like that too."
Why Batman Used A Spear
In Dawn of Justice, Batman's weapon of choice to kill Superman was a Kryptonite spear, something that raised several eyebrows; why such an up-close weapon? As confirmed by Snyder, it ties into the movie's prominent Messianic imagery; in the Bible, after he had died on the cross, Jesus's side was pierced by a spear to check he was dead. Catholic tradition venerates this spear as the "Holy Lance," or the "Spear of Destiny." The Kryptonite spear is deliberately evocative of this.
Despite the confirmation, this is one occasion where Snyder's beloved Messianic imagery becomes a little confused - to the extent that he almost subverts it. The Kryptonite spear, after all, is ultimately used to kill Doomsday rather than Superman.
Flash and the Knightmare Timeline
The "Knightmare" sequence is one of the most controversial scenes in BvS. It sees Batman experience a vision of a dystopian future in which Superman and Darkseid's Parademons have taken the Earth. The sequence comes to a close with Batman awakening - only to find the time-traveling Flash warning him that "she" is the key. The whole thing is strange and unusual, actually serving as an interruption to the movie's main narrative and thus
Snyder initially responded to questions about the scene in a rather potetic manner, saying "What were we doing when we unchained this earth from its sun? Flash is the Madman who's [sic] time is not yet and Heralds [sic] a future where God is dead". To understand Snyder's post, you have to be familiar with the teachings of Friedrich Nietzsche. Snyder is implying that Superman lost his light - he was "unchained" - when Lois was killed. Flash has traveled back in time to warn that Superman will fall should Lois die.
This particular revelation helped give a sense of where Snyder imagined the DCEU going; the Knightmare vision was intended to be a haunting sign of what could yet come to pass; Justice League Parts 1 and 2 would have seen the team attempting to avert that timeline.
Related: What Was Zack Snyder's FULL Plan For the Knightmare Scenes?
In a later post, Snyder revealed that Superman's fall would have been a little more complex. "If someone lost someone close to them," he mused, "they might become Susceptible to a certain Equation." The "Equation" in question is the Anti-Life Equation, a corrupting force associated with Darkseid. It seems that, in the Knightmare timeline, Lois's death made Superman susceptible to the Anti-Life Equation's influence. Twisted and seething with rage, Superman then blamed Batman for all that he had suffered. The key to averting this timeline, clearly, is to ensure that Lois survives. Hence Flash's warning to Bruce that "she" is "the key."
A Justice League 2 Death
It's still uncertain where Snyder intended to go with Justice League Parts 1 and 2, but he has revealed that Batman v Superman did provide some teases. After Superman dies, there are three crosses in the background. Most fans had assumed that was simple Messianic imagery; in the Bible, Jesus died hanging on a cross between two thieves who suffered the same fate. According to Snyder, though, that was actually foreshadowing. "That's a reference to Justice League 2," he observed. "Until it wasn't."
Given Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are traditionally known as DC's "Trinity," it seems likely Snyder intended all three to die in Justice League 2. It's impossible to say how this would have played out, but it goes to prove just how much hidden wealth was in Batman v Superman.
