To mark the 10th anniversary of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," director Zack Snyder recently appeared on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, once again discussing the polarizing film that grossed $874 million worldwide. Snyder not only offered a forceful response to its long-standing critics but also publicly defended his fanbase.
Since its 2016 release, "Batman v Superman" has been a constant source of debate, with intense discussions surrounding Batman's lethal methods and the controversial "Martha" scene where the two heroes reconcile over their mothers sharing the same name.
Reflecting on the film a decade later, Snyder candidly questioned the desire for movies that are "focus-grouped to death" or "made in a boardroom." He asked if audiences truly wanted a story "tested and trimmed into its safest possible version."
Snyder emphasized the importance of risk and conflict in creative work. He recalled extensive negotiations with the ratings board to secure a PG-13 rating.
"They kept sending it back, saying it was still R-rated," Snyder recounted. "Someone even told me they didn't like Batman fighting Superman, saying him throwing a sink was too rude and felt R-rated. I thought, 'Okay, well, let's just pretend this isn't Batman v Superman then.'"
From his perspective, the film's backlash stemmed from its challenge to conventional hero archetypes. Snyder stated that the production was "colliding with the zeitgeist," as "people didn't want to see heroes deconstructed, much less fighting each other and questioning their existence. For some, that was blasphemous."
The subsequent "Justice League" also faced significant turmoil. Snyder departed the production due to a family tragedy, leading Warner Bros. to bring in another director for reshoots. This move sparked widespread fan discontent, ultimately paving the way for "Zack Snyder's Justice League."
Addressing the fans' long-standing campaign for the "Snyder Cut," Snyder's tone grew resolute. He asserted that fans should remember they were the ones who made that version possible, raising significant funds for suicide prevention and doing "a lot of good." He concluded, "They're often called toxic, but they actually saved lives. If you think that, then just f*** off."
Regarding the current DC Universe reboot, now spearheaded by James Gunn and Peter Safran, Snyder adopted a relatively calm demeanor.
"James is a good guy, and I wish them all the best," Snyder stated. He added that his trilogy is "like a weed that won't die; it has its own life. It doesn't need to be compared to someone else's 'Superman'; it's a different thing."
via： Josh Horowitz