David Thewlis, who played God of War Ares in 2017's Wonder Woman, only just discovered his DC villain is in Zack Snyder's Justice League. In March, after years of passionate fan campaigns, the famed Snyder Cut of Justice League was finally released. The 4 hour movie, which is available to stream on HBO Max, is director Zack Snyder's completed vision for the DCEU film. Snyder opted to depart the original Justice League due to a family tragedy, and the resulting theatrical cut altered much of what he had planned. With the official Snyder Cut, the director was able to restore all of the scenes and storylines he planned for years ago.
This includes an extended flashback scene looking back on the first time the powerful DC Comics villain Darkseid (Ray Porter) attempted to invade Earth in search of the Anti-Life Equation. In the theatrical Justice League, the scene was quick, didn't involve Darkseid, and contained little gore. Snyder's longer and bloodier version reveals how all the armies of Earth - including Greek gods like Ares and Zeus - united to push back Darkseid. Ares dealt a devastating blow to Darkseid, who retreated soon after.
Though his face is seen only briefly in Justice League, it is in fact Thewlis who portrays Ares in the film. However, no one informed the actor of this, as Thewlis only discovered his Snyder Cut role just last week. Thewlis shared an image of him in Justice League on social media and explained in the caption, "I would just like to say that I have no recollection of this ever happening - I assume it was before lockdown." He went on to add, "I do not know these gentlemen and I have no idea why my left arm is so tiny. Anyone with further information please come forward." You can see his full post down below.
Ares also factored into the shorter flashback sequence in the theatrical Justice League, though his part was much smaller and never really showed his face. When it came to the actual filming of this sequence, Thewlis really had no part in it at all. His likeness was added via CGI, with a stunt performer instead inhabiting his part on set. Because of that, it's actually not surprising Thewlis had no idea he would be in Justice League. It is funny, and a little strange that no one thought to tell him until recently.
Thewlis will get his chance at another CGI-heavy blockbuster soon, though, as he'll appear in James Cameron's long-awaited Avatar 3. Previously best known for his role as Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter movies, Thewlis has since appeared in a fair amount of franchises. His time in the DCEU might be short overall, but it has also at least gone on for longer than he even realized. Ares got in one last scene in Justice League, and now Thewlis is finally up to date on the matter.
Source: David Thewlis/Instagram
