Will the Snyder cut appear on HBO Max?

[The Laughing Fish]

Given the overall visual aesthetic of Ayer's Suicide Squad, I was willing to roll with Leto's modern 'gangster' appearance. As he honestly doesn't look out of place compared to the other character's appearances in that film. However, with Leto getting a second opportunity at the Joker, and given the controversy on even just his overall look by itself, I would find it kinda humorous if Leto's reemergence as the Joker in Snyder's JL includes an overhaul in his appearance.

Of course context is king in how/where Leto makes his return in Snyder's JL, but if say his presence is added to the epilogue Legion of Doom scene, you could kinda make a joke about the whole 'gangster' look, with Leto's Joker making a offhand comment that he was going thru a 'gangster' phase (with the tats and teeth grillz), and is now in a different frame of mind (and thus, appearance). Which, would kinda evoke that whole 'Super Sanity' deal Grant Morrison introduced in explaining why the Joker's personality has shifted throughout his history (pre-Three Jokers explanation there).

Snyder being the gentleman that he is, wouldn't implement such a change if he thought it would piss Ayer off I'm sure. But it's not out of the realm of possibility that Ayer wouldn't give his blessing for such a change. Actually, it would honestly be in keeping with Leto's Joker personality too I believe. As what little we saw of him in the two cuts of Ayer's Suicide Squad that have been released, it seemed pretty evident that Leto's Joker more or less feeds more off of his immediate emotions, while exhibiting a distinct disinhibition. Rather than displaying any sort of measure of meticulous control.

As far as I know, the Legion of Doom epilogue was a Johns/Whedon rewrite, and not what Snyder had ever intended.

While we're on the subject about Leto's Joker, The Cultured Nerd has yet again shared new rumours of this supposed Batfleck show, which includes exploring Robin's murder backstory and how it led to Batman going berserk and maiming Joker in a fit of rage, which resulted in those tattoos and grills. This video was uploaded less than a week before the Leto reveal.

A day before Joker's return was leaked to THR, TCN ran an "exclusive" that Affleck has supposedly now signed a new deal for HBO Max. Much like how they claimed Cavill had already signed a new deal to continue playing Superman.

https://theculturednerd.org/2020/10/exclusive-ben-affleck-signs-on-for-hbo-max-and-more-films-as-batman/

I won't believe in anything until we get official quotes from Cavill and Affleck confirming whether or not their new contracts are true. The only thing that's keeping me hopeful is there is no logical reason to restore the Snyder cut to its original concept and bringing back all these characters unless there is going to be a continuation of some form.

[thecolorsblend]

The only thing that's keeping me hopeful is there is no logical reason to restore the Snyder cut to its original concept and bringing back all these characters unless there is going to be a continuation of some form.

Of course there is. AT&T wants to every last nickel of profit they can scrape together, the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut crowd have been vocal since the day after Josstice League came out and AT&T recognize an opportunity. The imperative here runs even deeper since the entertainment divisions are basically crippled right now during the lockdown.

Not trying to rain on anybody's parade; just saying alternative explanations do exist.

That said, if ZSJL is the big success that AT&T obviously want it to be then there's absolutely no reason to not continue the Snyderverse. I imagine that the rumors about getting actors signed to contracts are probably true. If the actors sign new contracts now then complicated negotiations later on can be avoided. If the movie comes out and tanks, the contracts will all be worthless pieces of paper. But if it's a big hit, the actors are already locked in and you won't have to deal with complex deal-making. It's a wise move and that's why I have no doubt that at least Cavill has signed something new.

If Affleck is coming back for more shooting (as seems to be the case), it seems like a good bet that he's got some type of new contract going too.

Everything I'm saying here could be totally wrong. I'm just saying that I see a TON of business sense in getting the cast to sign contracts now rather than later.

[The Dark Knight]

If ZSJL sets up the Deathstroke conflict against Batfleck in a big way then there's a very good reason to suspect there will be a continuation. Manganiello is more than happy to reprise the role. Affleck is too. He's coming back for Flashpoint, which I keep having to remind myself about. For so long I mentally accepted his time in the franchise was up.

Honestly, Keaton will probably always be at the top for me, due to being good and having strong nostalgic pull. But I think Affleck is better overall. Leto didn't decline the invitation for ZSJL reshoots. So when you look at the stone cold facts, key Batfleck players that would be needed for a HBO Max solo film are still on board. If they're saying yes to ZSJL, why would they then say no to other Batfleck projects?

If they can arrange additional ZSJL scenes, a brand new film isn't much of a stretch.

I've read articles which claim another Superman film is possible with JJ Abrams, and the reaction to ZSJL will factor in to his decision to use Cavill or not. Who knows if this is true. All I know is if we support ZSJL like crazy, many possibilities are on the table. In any case, ZSJL will be a treat for DC fans.

[The Joker]

As far as I know, the Legion of Doom epilogue was a Johns/Whedon rewrite, and not what Snyder had ever intended.

So was the casting of Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke a Snyder deal, or was Joey M only brought in following the JOSStice League takeover?

[The Laughing Fish]

As far as I know, the Legion of Doom epilogue was a Johns/Whedon rewrite, and not what Snyder had ever intended.

So was the casting of Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke a Snyder deal, or was Joey M only brought in following the JOSStice League takeover?

Manganiello was a Snyder/Affleck deal. Deathstroke was supposed to set up for Affleck's solo Batman film, until it was cancelled during the reshoots and the whole Deathstroke scene was reshot for that LOD improvisation.

[The Laughing Fish]

Ray Fisher has accused Joss Whedon, Geoff Johns, Jon Berg and WB president Toby Emmerich of racism during the reshoots.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sherazfarooqi/2020/10/29/interview-ray-fisher-talks-toxic-justice-league-set-warnermedia-investigation-and-erasing-characters-of-color/?sh=5a4717d92518

I used to think the removal of Iris West, Ryan Choi, Victor Stone's mother and radically changing Silas Stone's arc were simply collateral damage in sabotaging Snyder's DCEU. But if Fisher's right and there was a racist component behind that agenda then that's truly despicable.

The most dubious thing about this article is the part where a spokesperson representing Whedon dismisses Fisher's allegations. He or she could've outright denied that Whedon was responsible for any abusive misconduct, but instead, they only focus and insist the coloring of one's skin was because of the process of converting from film to digital? Really? That's it? To me, they're tacitly admitting there was definitely abuse going on.

This follows up something else that bothered me about THR's reporting of Leto's return a week ago:

Sources close to Berg and Johns have confirmed the duo's intention to remove their names from the Snyder Cut since they did not work on this version and are no longer studio executives. The sources also say the move pays respect to Snyder's creative vision and the additional photography shoot.

It is unclear when Berg's and Johns' segue began. One source said the move began months ago and is unconnected to comments made by Fisher, who played Cyborg in the movie and who has for months accused the two of enabling abuse and misconduct by Whedon on the set of the 2017 reshoots. After vocal and public outbursts on social media even as late as September, Fisher has been less incendiary and posting less frequently of late.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jared-leto-to-play-joker-in-zack-snyders-justice-league-exclusive

Clearly, this section was a hit piece against Fisher in an attempt to depict Johns and Berg as considerate people. Which is outrageous, because anybody who had followed the Snyder cut saga to a degree knows that Johns and Berg were saboteurs and liars. The rubbish over the fake Frosty the Snowman press release that Momoa called out is the latest piece of misconduct. If they wanted to spin such news then wouldn't it make more sense to do it when the Snyder cut was announced back in May?

My point is there was NO need to mention anything about Berg, Johns or Fisher at all. It had nothing to do with the Leto news.

It stinks. There's no doubt in my mind that the instigators behind Josstice League are going through outlets like THR to paint Fisher as a troublemaker. If Fisher were lying about everything he said then these people should sue him for slander. Instead, they're rather silent and hiding behind hit pieces and representatives trying to spin the narrative. It's pathetic.

[The Laughing Fish]

It stinks. There's no doubt in my mind that the instigators behind Josstice League are going through outlets like THR to paint Fisher as a troublemaker. If Fisher were lying about everything he said then these people should sue him for slander. Instead, they're rather silent and hiding behind hit pieces and representatives trying to spin the narrative. It's pathetic.

That Forbes article has been edited. Among the changes, the journalist who interviewed Fisher is suddenly a "former" contributor.

Talk about shooting the messenger. Emmerich, Whedon and co have reached a new low.

[The Laughing Fish]

Grace Randolph has interviewed Zack Snyder for a second time, getting more insight into the additional photography, including Ben Affleck putting the suit back on and what to expect from Leto's Joker appearance.

[The Laughing Fish]

The DC FanDome trailer was pulled down recently because of apparent copyright issues over the Leonard Cohen song.

Have no fear though, it's taken care of. HBO Max has uploaded an updated version of the trailer on its YouTube channel, including a couple of new shots never seen before.

Snyder hosted a live stream commentary on Vero this morning, doing a breakdown of the trailer. My favourite moments was when he discussed his take on the physics surrounding the Speed Force and the Flash.

[Travesty]

Oh, there's new updates I didn't know about. I'll have to look into that later today when I have time.

Getting more and more excited for this.