Why are Justice League's Gal Gadot and Ben Affleck Tweeting for the Release of The Snyder Cut?
The DCEU, or DC Extended Universe, has been a source of constant debate among fans, with ongoing discussions about the alternate take on The Justice League directed by Zack Snyder. This contention has reached a new peak with the recent vocal support from Gal Gadot, who portrays Wonder Woman, and Ben Affleck, who reprises his role as Batman. Why are these actors, along with other Justice League cast members, advocating for the release of 'The Snyder Cut?' Let's delve into the backstory and the fan campaign that has been going on for over two years.
The Behind-the-Scenes of Why The Snyder Cut Mattered
The 2017 release of Justice League saw Zack Snyder stepping aside due to personal reasons, leading to Joss Whedon taking over the project. Whedon's version of the film was a marked change from Snyder's initial vision, with the movie being reshoots and almost a complete rewrite of the story. This ultimately led to a shorter, more action-oriented film that dramatically altered the original cut.
Many fans didn't accept the new version of the movie and started organizing a worldwide campaign under the hashtag #Releasesyndercut to support their cause of getting Zack Snyder's original vision released. For two years, the fans have petitioned Warner Bros. to release The Snyder Cut, but the studio was unresponsive. However, in 2020, almost every person involved with the previous version was let go, and new CEO Warner Bros. seemingly responded to the pressure from the fans' relentless tweeting campaign, making this hashtag a global phenomenon.
The Major Factors Behind the Fan Movement
There are several theories as to why the Justice League cast members, particularly Gal Gadot and Ben Affleck, are supporting the release of The Snyder Cut:
Theorized Polyester: It may be that after two years of badgering from fans asking for the Snyder Cut, the Justice League actors, along with Snyder himself, decided it was best to publicly support the movement and force Warner Bros. to complete The Snyder Cut. This would not only bring some closure for their characters' arcs but also provide a definitive resolution to a story that was made up of two halves.
Marketing Strategy: Some believe that the fan fervor for The Snyder Cut is a response to the performance of Marvel's films. Warner Bros. may have realized that they needed to mobilize their fanbase for their own streaming service, HBO Max, and see the Snyder Cut as a way to drive exclusivity. Ensuring that a high-profile film like The Snyder Cut is exclusive to their service could be a strategic move to gain market share against Marvel.
Theatrical Re-release: While streaming services have become increasingly popular, Warner Bros. may also see an opportunity to generate revenue through a theatrical re-release of The Snyder Cut. By releasing it in theaters, they can potentially regain some box office interest and solicit further fan engagement, especially if the film is received well by fans in anticipation on HBO Max.
Final Thoughts
The fan movement to release The Snyder Cut, spearheaded by Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck, and other Justice League cast members, has been a testament to the power of the fandom. From 2018 to now, the hashtag #Releasesyndercut has trended globally, and it's clear that these actors are not just supporting their art, but also their fans.
The ultimate question is whether the release of The Snyder Cut will satisfy the fans, generate additional revenue for Warner Bros., or serve as a strategic move for their streaming service. Only time will tell how this saga unfolds as activists in the DCEU community eagerly await further developments.