Zack Snyder's Justice League goes further into the Knightmare future that awaits the heroes while also revealing more about Batman's team. Ever since Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Snyder has been setting up a grim future for the DC Universe that he created. The 2016 film gave fans a glimpse of the coming reality that would be caused by Darkseid's invasion of Earth that also has Superman turn against humanity. The Knightmare arc was going to be an overarching plot for Snyder's Justice League trilogy. While sequels are currently off the table, the 4-hour HBO Max film gave more insight into the Apokolips-fueled future for Earth.
The film officially reveals through a vision Cyborg has that Wonder Woman and Aquaman would be murdered by Darkseid himself. But it didn't stop there as Lois Lane met her fate that has been a fact for years as she got killed by Darkseid's Omega Beam. That is how the villain manages to take advantage of Superman by making him succumb to the Anti-Life Equation. Together, they make Earth another defeated planet in Darkseid's ever-growing collection. But towards the end of Zack Snyder's Justice League, Bruce Wayne is revealed to be working with a few remaining heroes as well as a few long-time foes of his.
While Bruce's latest Knightmare vision is obviously in the midst of that arc, it does establish that heroes and villains have come together for a common cause. What has likely happened at that point is that they had other allies that have either been killed or defected. Should Zack Snyder's Justice League 2 happen in the future, more context and explanations will thankfully be given because the Knightmare story is something fans have waited years to see fully. But until that day comes, this is every member of Batman's Knightmare team that was presented in the Snyder Cut.
Batman
Bruce is definitely the leader of this team; alongside Wonder Woman, he was one of the main heroes who created the Justice League. Batman was essentially the first hero to learn about this future and has done the most to try and prevent it from happening. Despite stopping Steppenwolf and bringing Superman back to life with the team, it wasn't enough to thwart this reality from still unfolding. While she doesn't appear, Batman does confirm that Harley Quinn had died in his arms, alluding to the possibility that she was another member of his squad.
Cyborg
Victor Stone became one of the new members to join the Justice League but is one of Earth's last standing forces in the future. Since Victor became Cyborg through a Mother Box, it makes him a huge power player in the Knightmare future. Despite having Superman against them, Batman is lucky to still have Cyborg alive and fighting as his advanced abilities do give them a lot of advantage. Just like with another member of Batman's team, Victor is incredibly important to help Earth get another chance from stopping Darkseid and Apokolips from taking over their world.
The Flash
Besides Bruce's first premonition in Batman v Superman, Flash was the first character to help flesh out the coming arc when he went back in the past to warn Batman. As Snyder has made it clear, Barry Allen was always going to be an important component to undoing the Knightmare future by traveling back in time. Together with Batman's help, the cosmic treadmill would be created so Flash could time travel and warn the heroes so they could stop the Apokolips future from ever happening. Barry out of all of them is imperative to help rewrite the future since his death would cost them their chance to go back in time.
Mera
Since Cyborg's own Knightmare glimpse showed Aquaman being murdered by Darkseid, it makes sense for Mera to be a member of this team. Based on her appearance, Mera clearly became the Queen of Atlantis sometime after the events of Zack Snyder's Justice League. Given Mera's own history with the forces of Apokolips, it's rewarding in the sense that she's here not only to avenge Arthur but also get another round against the New Gods and, now, Superman. Based on their banter, it's obvious that Bruce and Mera are bound to clash from time-to-time.
Deathstroke
One of Batman's biggest villains is given his due not only in a cameo during the present time but also as part of the Knightmare future. Whatever happened after Lex Luthor told Slade Wilson Batman's real identity, and before their alliance years later, remains to be seen. Obviously, Batman and Deathstroke are putting their differences aside in order to reclaim Earth. But it doesn't change the fact that Slade is still a mastermind of a villain who could easily have an agenda despite siding with the remaining Justice League heroes.
The Joker
While Zack Snyder's Justice League was originally never supposed to have Joker, Jared Leto got to reprise the iconic DC villain for a single scene. But it was one that was crucial to not just the Knightmare story as it went further into Batman and Joker's long-running history. At this point, Joker has learned that the Dark Knight is none other than Gotham City's famous playboy billionaire. It's unclear when Joker actually joined the team, but it's established that Batman somehow needed him. Snyder has even referenced that Joker helps build the cosmic treadmill by stealing a Mother Box. It doesn't stop Joker and Batman from still having the intense relationship that they have always had.
From the Clown Prince of Crime bringing up the dead Robin to Bruce hitting Joker's nerve by bringing up how Harley begged Batman to one day kill her old flame, slowly, their partnership is not without difficulties. But to see both Joker and Deathstroke having joined the heroes shows how desperate they as villains must have been once Darkseid took over Earth. Given their respective long history with the Caped Crusader, it must be nerve-wracking for the other heroes to have to work with Deathstroke and Joker, knowing what they are capable of.
Despite this being just a taste of the Knightmare scenario, Zack Snyder's Justice League 2 and Zack Snyder's Justice League 3 would be able to go further into that. Who else was on the team? Who wasn't convinced to join Batman on this crusade? How many died before they were only six standing? Where was Martian Manhunter who seemed to hint to Bruce that he also knew of the Knightmare future that was coming? There are so many unresolved questions with the Knightmare arc and, hopefully, Zack Snyder's Justice League will lead to a continuation of the franchise.
