Why Didn't Warner Bros. Trust Zack Snyder?
Warner Bros. (Warner or WB) didn't exactly dislike Zack Snyder. However, the director's departure from the studio's roster of top directors is a topic that sparks curiosity and discussion. This article aims to uncover the reasons behind this decision, focusing on the perceived failure on one of their largest and most important properties, Justice League.
Understanding the Misunderstanding
Let's start by clarifying a potential misunderstanding: Warner Bros. isn't necessarily opposed to working with Zack Snyder on a different project once the current situation serves its purposes. In fact, Snyder's work on previous comics-to-cinema adaptations has demonstrated a certain level of success, paving the way for their possible collaboration in the future.
Why Zack Snyder Was Dropped
The primary reason for Snyder's departure from Warner Bros.'s stable of top directors lies in his failure with their most significant and important property. The studio's expectation was that Snyder deliver a piece of content capable of generating monumental financial success, akin to Marvel's blockbuster films. However, the reality was far from the initial dream.
Extravagant Expectations and Underperformance
Warner Bros. approached Snyder with the expectation of creating a film as financially successful as Marvel's Avengers series, which had been generating billions of dollars at the box office. Marvel's films, starring characters like Avengers and Spider-Man, were romanticized as cash machines. In stark contrast, SUPERMAN AND BATMAN AND WONDER WOMAN were expected to replicate this success.
When Warner Bros. turned to Snyder, they wanted a film that would ensure their own survival and financial viability. Snyder had previously delivered satisfactory to exceptional performances on such properties, making it seem like a reasonable task. However, every project Snyder worked on pushed the studio further towards financial losses. Man of Steel had been moderately successful but fell short of Warner Bros.'s expectations for a superhero film directed by a "hot young special golden boy."
Diminishing Returns and The Justice League Dilemma
Warner Bros. was banking on Snyder's next project, Justice League, to right the financial ship. Unfortunately, the film's critical and commercial reception was not positive. The movie's extended cut, though highly regarded by its fans, was deemed unreleasable to theaters due to its length. The studio's standards dictated that any film over two hours could significantly reduce the number of showings in a night, making it less appealing to theaters. This limitation further contributed to the film's lack of financial success.
Reputation and Future Prospects
In a highly competitive and results-driven industry, a director’s reputation is often tied to their most recent work. Zack Snyder's projects, particularly Justice League, cast a long shadow over his standing in the industry. This negative perception made it challenging for Warner Bros. to greenlight new media series projects for him. Instead, Snyder turned to Netflix, where his recent project has achieved modest success. While the metrics for success on streaming platforms like Netflix vary, it remains to be seen whether this will reestablish Snyder's reputation and facilitate his return to Warner Bros.
For now, regardless of future success, the tabloids and industry experts continue to ponder: Can Zack Snyder's best work still be ahead of him, or is his legacy as a director already set in stone?