Zack Snyder's Strange Ideas for the DCEU: From Four-Hour Movies to Darker Batman

Zack Snyder, the visionary director who brought great projects to life like 300 and Watchmen, had a number of unique and sometimes controversial ideas for the DCEU. Some of his strangest proposals included the desire for four-hour movies and darker, more mature themes like Batman being raped in prison. His ideas were not always accepted by the studio, and here we delve into some of his most unconventional concepts.

Four-Hour Movies

One of Snyder's most notable and distinctly unconventional ideas was the desire to create extended, four-hour movies. Both Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (BvSDoJ) and Joker (JL) were originally planned to be significantly longer films, despite the studio's objections. Snyder's rationale was that these epics contained numerous plotlines that seemed impossible to condense into a more standard-length film without sacrificing storytelling quality. This idea, however, proved challenging and controversial.

Studio heads were concerned about the financial and logistical implications of such lengthy movies. They argued that longer films could be more difficult to market and distribute in a competitive film industry. Moreover, audiences have shorter attention spans, making it challenging to maintain engagement for such extended periods of screen time. Despite these concerns, Snyder's vision for epic storytelling was clearly evident in his script adaptations and ambitious plans.

Dark Batman and Sexual Violence

One of Zack Snyder's weirdest and most uncomfortable ideas was his proposal for a more brutal, violent retelling of the Batman story. He thought it would be fitting for Batman to be raped in prison as a part of a darker, more disturbing narrative. This idea was so disturbing that many felt it was inappropriate and unlikely to be implemented. Snyder's fascination with darker, more mature themes in his superhero movies highlighted his inconsistent approach to character development and storytelling.

Not only did Snyder want to inject more sexual and violent content into his films, but he also had some unconventional character concepts as well. In one instance, it was proposed that Batman should be connected to Greek mythology, with Batman part Kryptonian and possibly even imprisoned in Hell:

Zeus would be the captain of the crashed ship before the Kryptonian journey. Ares would be the one who wrecked the ship. Wonder Woman would be part Kryptonian.

While the idea of blending Batman with ancient mythology might sound intriguing, it ultimately lacked depth and coherence. It's clear that Snyder was experimenting with different narrative angles and character origins, but these ideas required a delicate balance to successfully integrate into a cohesive storyline.

Comic Book Inferences and Character Relationships

Some of Snyder's ideas were not just about plot and character development but also explored unusual character dynamics. For example, he proposed that Batman and Lois Lane should have a romantic relationship when Superman was ostensibly dead. According to Snyder, Lois would be glad that Superman is back, but see Batman as merely a one-time fling, while Batman would be in love with her.

This idea was met with skepticism and criticism, largely due to the potential clichés and inauthenticity of such a storyline. Furthermore, it would have been a significant deviation from the established chemistry between Batman and Lois Lane in previous works, making it difficult for fans to accept.

Injustice League Sequel

Another one of Snyder's more outlandish ideas was his vision for how the Injustice League members would fit into the Justice League sequel. Snyder had a unique take on the character arcs and storylines, including:

Doctor Poison, Black Manta, Ocean Master, Captain Cold, and the Riddler were all to be featured. Doctor Poison would kill everyone on Themyscira, leading to Hyppolita and Diana's eventual reunion with a tragic outcome. Manta and Orm would kill Arthur Prince during his coronation. Captain Cold would face off with the Flash and Cyborg in Central City, with an upgraded ice gun causing significant damage to Cyborg's robot body. The Riddler would solve the Anti-Life Equation, leading to Lex Luthor bringing Darkseid to Earth to kill Lois Lane in an attempt to break Clark Kent. Darkseid would succeed in his mission, but Clark Kent would ultimately murder Lex in revenge.

While these ideas showcased Snyder's creativity and willingness to push the boundaries of genre conventions, the plot seemed convoluted and complex. The inclusion of villains as central characters and the destructive plot twists would likely have been challenging to execute successfully. It's also worth noting that this concept would have required a significant departure from the established lore and might have alienated fans who were invested in character consistency and moral clarity.

Overall, Zack Snyder's proposals for the DCEU were characterized by a blend of creative vision, thematic complexity, and narrative experimentation. While some concepts were groundbreaking and thought-provoking, others were more controversial and showed a lack of sensitivity or practicality. Regardless, the director's contributions to the DCEU remain a testament to his unique approach to storytelling and his enduring impact on the industry.