The Snyder Cut Will Finally Feature A Darker Superman

The Snyder Cut of Justice League could feature an even darker Superman that sets up Zack Snyder's long-term plan. Prior to leaving Justice League, Snyder was given a lot of freedom to make the DC Extended Universe as he wanted. He rebooted Superman with Man of Steel in 2013 and focused on him again in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016. These films were the beginning of a five-film plan centered around the Kryptonian hero.

However, the vision that Snyder had for Superman's arc and the DCEU as a whole changed greatly with each new film. Warner Bros. began getting more involved to try and make the DC movies appeal to a wider audience. This is what led to Justice League's tonal change and why one of the biggest alterations made by Joss Whedon was adding more comedy. It's safe to say that Justice League didn't work and WB has finally recognized the potential that Snyder's version could have. Zack Snyder's Justice League is coming to HBO Max in 2021 and will be almost an entirely different movie from what was already released - and that will include a different and darker Superman.

Despite all the reveals that Snyder has made about his cut of Justice League, he hasn't given away too many details regarding Superman's role. We know that Superman has a different resurrection sequence in the Snyder Cut, which served as his introduction in the theatrical cut. From there, pieces of his story can be stitched together based on what Snyder shot: he goes to Kent farm and reunites with Lois, visits his Kryptonian ship again, meets Alfred in the Batcave, and then takes part in the finale. This part of his story could be where Superman becomes darker from an aesthetical standpoint, as Snyder has teased that he'll wear the black Superman suit.

The truly darker version of Superman that could be featured in Justice League though could come through the Knightmare future. Snyder has confirmed that the Snyder Cut includes more from the possible future glimpsed in Batman v Superman where Superman is an evil tyrant serving Darkseid. It is unclear what capacity of Superman's role would be featured in the Knightmare parts of Justice League, but Snyder's intention was to use the movie to set up this darker turn. His original ending for the film saw Darkseid kill Lois Lane, with the loss of her propelling Superman to succumb to the Anti-Life Equation. Then, it would be in the Justice League sequels that Superman's darkness is shown, while Batman tried to prevent this turn.

Since Snyder's Superman is often criticized for being too dark already, the reaction to what else he has planned for the character could be polarizing yet again. But, Henry Cavill is reportedly in talks to return as Superman in some non-Snyder projects in the future. Upcoming films like The Flash or Shazam 2 are possible landing spots for Cavill, while many are still hoping that he will be on screen with Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam before too long. The darker Superman that could be featured in the Snyder Cut of Justice League likely won't have any impact on how the character is portrayed moving forward, but at least Snyder will be able to see his vision brought to the screen.

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