Henry Cavill cites the rise of online streaming as one of the main reasons Zack Snyder's Justice League is releasing. Debuting through HBO Max, the project will allow the film's original director to finish his intended story for the movie after it was substantially changed due to extensive reshoots. No word yet on when exactly the Snyder Cut of Justice League will hit the newly-debuted platform, but like many fans and his co-stars, the Superman actor is excited about its release.

Justice League had multiple script rewrites, not to mention the studio-mandated two-hour runtime, resulting in a string of deleted scenes - most of which were supposed to play an integral part in Snyder's original story for the DC Extended Universe. Nothing derailed it as much, however, as the last-minute director switch between Snyder and Joss Whedon after the former had to step away from the project due to a personal tragedy. Now, more than two years since its theatrical debut, the much-debated Snyder Cut is finally confirmed to release.

Related: Why Justice League 2017 AND Snyder Cut Can Both Be DCEU Canon

Speaking with Variety, Cavill was asked if he's surprised by the news Snyder's version of the movie is rolling out years after the original hit theaters. Cavill, who was cast by Snyder to play Superman in the DCEU, said he's not really shocked, adding that the rise of streaming services like HBO Max played a part in the release of Snyder's Justice League:

I don’t know if I’m surprised. With everything that has happened this year, with the lockdown and cinemas having to close and streaming services now being how we are getting our entertainment, it’s not really a surprise. I think it’s one of those things where it’s an opportunity, and I think it’s great that Zack [Snyder] has an opportunity to finally release his vision of [Justice League] and I think that’s really important for a storyteller and a filmmaker. When that doesn’t happen, it’s always a sad occasion. And now Zack has the opportunity, and I’m excited to watch it.

Justice League Zack Snyder Cut HBO Max Release

Based on how the idea for Snyder's Justice League release came about, Cavill is correct. Since the film released on cinemas in 2017, there has been a clamor for it, but it wasn't until late last year that Warner Bros. and HBO Max reached out to Snyder for it. This is a part of the company building its content portfolio for the streaming service which has just debuted. Joining the streaming wars with a string of other competitors, HBO Max has to differentiate itself to entice subscribers. It makes sense for them to capitalize on the buzz for Snyder's Justice League and use it to their advantage. Cavill's comments mirror that of HBO Max boss Tony Goncalves, who defended the streamer's decision from critics, explaining it's important for them to listen to their consumers.

Of course, the fans also played a big part in convincing HBO Max that giving Snyder's Justice League a platform is a good business decision. In the last 2.5 years, supporters of the Release the Snyder Cut movement have relentlessly campaigned for its release, which kept it relevant. This is not lost on a lot of the people involved in the project, including the filmmaker himself. In hindsight, the release of the highly-anticipated version of the film can be chalked up to an amalgamation of different elements. This allows the director to finish his vision for the project, including giving Cavill's Superman the story arc intended for him.

More: Justice League: Why Wonder Woman is Scared of Darkseid Despite Beating Ares

Source: Variety

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