The past couple of years, HBO Max has gradually removed several classic Cartoon Network series. For fans of shows like Powerpuff Girls, Scooby-Doo, and Ben 10, it’s been a rough time. But here’s some good news for you: those and more are jumping over to Tubi.
Pepsiman, who runs the curation YouTube Broken Saw, first clocked that several of the channel’s shows have recently gotten Tubi pages. Eventually, the streamer went and revealed the full list of shows it’s adding, cheekily saying it’ll enter its “cartoon era” on March 1. The first wave of shows on that date include the aforementioned Ben and Powerpuff, Justice League, Codename: Kids Next Door, and Ed, Edd, & Eddy—and you can see the full list of what’s coming here.
kicking off with these on march 1:
Animaniacs Powerpuff Girls Teen Titans The Batman Ben 10 (2005) Pinky and the Brain Justice League Batman: The Brave and the Bold Dexter’s Laboratory Ed, Edd ‘n Eddy Courage The Cowardly Dog Taz-Mania Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends…
This is exciting for a few reasons, the first being that it’s just good these shows exist somewhere. While some have gotten bumped to streamers like Prime Video, others haven’t been afforded the same opportunity. (At least, legally.) It’s also cool that several B and C-listers like Evil Con Carne and Loonatics Unleashed(!!) are getting some love. I haven’t thought about Mucha Lucha! in years, and its eventual arrival makes me want to.
Another reason it’s good? Tubi’s been a pretty good place for older cartoons to hang out; Looney Tunes did extremely well over there months after the transition, to the point that the IP has been given further life thanks to a recent TCM deal. So while it sucks that Warner Bros. is still going through some nonsense, it’s at least good that Cartoon Network and its history lives on.
Update: Saturday, February 14 @ 4:37 PT ET: This story has been edited to clarify the initial discovery of this information came from Pepsiman from Broken Saw.
Warner Bros. was once famed for their animation department. While originally devoted to theatrical shorts, the animators began devoting more time to television and film productions. These included superhero movies set in the DC Universe. Today, many of these films are available for streaming on HBO Max.
What are the best animated superhero movies on HBO Max?
Unfortunately, the full library of animated superhero movies made by Warner Bros. Animation is not freely available on HBO Max. In recent years, the streaming service has become infamous for cutting costs by not hosting the full Warner Archive. Despite this, there are still some great animated DC Comics movies available.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
There is considerable debate among superhero fans as to which of the many Batman movies is the best. Whenever these discussions happen, there is one dark horse candidate that some argue against purely because it is animated. That movie is Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
Ten years after beginning his war on crime, Batman encounters a new vigilante who doesn’t share his code against killing. This Phantasm begins targeting the gangsters of Gotham City, leading the Dark Knight to seek a common link. The trail leads to businessman Carl Beaumont, who is recently returned to Gotham City after a decade abroad. It also leads Bruce Wayne to reconnect with Beaumont’s daughter, Andrea, who almost got him to give up the superhero life before breaking their engagement without explanation.
Produced by the same creative team behind Batman: The Animated Series, Mask of the Phantasm plays out like an extended episode of the show. The same moody orchestral music is on-hand, along with the series’ trademark Art Deco backgrounds painted on black paper. It is the script and the voice acting, however, that truly make the movie a classic.
Kevin Conroy delivered many classic performances as the Dark Knight, but Mask of the Phantasm was his first truly great one. The scene in which Bruce Wayne pleads at his parents’ grave during a thunderstorm was truly groundbreaking for the time. Both in terms of portrayals of Batman and superhero animation aimed at adults.
Dana Delaney also earned accolades for her performance as Andrea Beaumont. Many believe her work here led to her being cast as Lois Lane in Superman: The Animated Series. And unsurprisingly, Mark Hamill delivers a perfect performance as The Joker.
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011)
For ages untold, the Green Lantern Corps has protected the universe. Now, the sun of their home base on the planet Oa is under attack by forces from the Anti-Matter universe. As the Corps prepare for the greatest battle in their history, a new recruit named Arisia questions her worthiness to be a Green Lantern. However, her spirits are boosted by veteran Lanterns Hal Jordan and Sinestro, who tell her tales of the challenges faced by other members of the Corps.
There have been quite a few animated movies based upon the Green Lantern comics. However, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights is easily the best. Part of this is due to the anthology format, which allows it to tell several stories within the frame of the larger conflict.
The best of these is adapted from a comic by Watchmen creators Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. It concerns an evil warrior known as Bolphunga the Unrelenting, who hunts the mightiest warriors in the universe. He seeks out a legendary Green Lantern called Mogo, and ultimately learns just why Mogo is respected and feared in equal measure.
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights also boasts one of the most impressive voice casts of any animated superhero movie. Elisabeth Moss of The Handmaid’s Tale plays Arisia, while Jason Isaacs lends his voice to Sinestro. Henry Rollins plays the Green Lantern drill sergeant Killowog, while Bolphunga the Unrelenting is voiced by wrestling legend and They Live star Roddy Piper. It is Nathan Fillion’s performance as Hal Jordan, however, which anchors the film. It also led to Fillion recreating the role of Hal Jordan for the DC Animated Movie Universe, from 2013 to 2020.
Justice League: Doom (2012)
The immortal Vandal Savage has schemed to take over the world for millennia. His latest plan involves two elements. First, a Legion of Doom made up of the greatest enemies of the Justice League. Secondly, an attack from within using plans designed by Batman to stop his superhero allies should they ever get out of control.
The villains divide and conquer, putting their archenemies in dire straits. The only thing that might save them is the efforts of Cyborg, the new recruit who was overlooked in Savage’s plans. But even if the superheroes save the day, will the Justice League recover from the revelation that it was Batman’s plans that almost killed them?
Justice League: Doom is not set in the DC Animated Universe. This is made clear by the presence of Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Hal Jordan and the absence of Hawkgirl. It also features a dramatically different animation style.
However, the film was scripted by Justice League Unlimited producer Dwayne McDuffie and adapted from the classic Justice League storyline ‘Tower of Babel.’ The movie also featured many voice actors from the DC Animated Universe, including Kevin Conroy as Batman and Tim Daly as Superman. This gives Justice League: Doom a familiar feeling, despite the darker tone and art direction. It also features some intense action scenes, such as The Flash reenacting the movie Speed on-foot, after being tagged with a velocity-sensitive bomb.
The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
The Lego Movie was a surprise smash when it was released in 2014. However, the film’s version of Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, was far and way the film’s breakout character. Three years later, he reprised the role in The Lego Batman Movie.
The film finds Batman in a panic, as new Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon plans to restructure the GCPD so they don’t need Batman. This leads him to go over the edge to prove his worth and accidentally enable Joker’s jail-break from the Phantom Zone. However, with the help of his new adopted son, Robin, a new Batgirl, and his butler Alfred, Batman may learn the value of family and that he doesn’t need to do everything on his own.
The Lego Batman Movie contains more of the same jokes about Lego figures from The Lego Movie. However, it also features a number of Easter eggs involving the DCU and DC Comics. Throw in a great ensemble including Michael Cera as Robin and Zach Galifianakis as Joker, and you have a movie that is as touching as it is funny.
Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020)
Knowing the threat Darkseid poses to Earth, the Justice League and Teen Titans join forces to stop him once and for all. They fail. Most of the superheroes are killed in the battle or enslaved by the armies of Apokolips.
Two years later, a depowered Superman tries to rebuild what was lost and save the Earth. With the aid of Lois Lane, Raven, Robin, and John Constantine, he will build a new superhero team. They will even draw upon the Suicide Squad in Earth’s darkest hour. However, it may be too late to save their universe, much less the Earth.
Justice League Dark: Apokolips War was a coda for the first chapter of the DC Animated Movie Universe. It was also proof that WB Animation could produce adult superhero anime and do it well. Again, the movie featured a stunning script and a talented voice ensemble. The stand-out, however was Matt Ryan, recreating the role of John Constantine after playing him in live-action in the Arrowverse.
How we picked the best animated superhero movies on HBO Max in 2026
Beyond the question of whether it was available on HBO Max or not, three criteria informed this list. First, is the movie well-regarded and historically important? Second, is it adapted from a notable comic book story? Finally, does it feature great voice acting?
It’s been a while since we’ve gotten some comic adventures featuring the Justice League. Granted, after they died and got revived in Dark Crisis a while back, they shelved the team and done smaller teamups when needed. But you can’t keep a superhero team down for long, and that means it’s time for the League to make another grand return to the forefront.
During yesterday’s panel for the future of DC, the publisher offered a short look at Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s Justice League Unlimited. The monthly series will see the League come together again in the aftermath of Aboslute Power and build out its ranks. Along with the main heavy hitters, the book’s new stars include Captain Atom, Star Sapphire, the Atom, and Black Lightning. The team’s first order of business? Tangling with Darkseid, who’ll operate as the book’s big bad and do something that result in the creation of the upcoming Absolute comics.
Hello folks! I posted the wrong color version of my wrap around cover for Justice League Unlimited! This is the correct one, my apologies! pic.twitter.com/jWzJ5xuJVc
The book’s name carries some weight behind it: the Justice League Unlimited cartoon was a big deal back in the day, and part of why the DCAU was held up for so long. Waid and Mora appear to be borrowing more than just the name: the book will feature a rotating cast just like in the show, and the League will be operating out of the Watchtower space station. It’ll be interesting to see how much of the show informs this upcoming comic, particularly since it’ll also probably lead to some kind of crossover with the Absolute universe once that world’s characters have gotten their acts together.
Justice League Unlimited kicks off on November 27. Funnily enough, the JLU show turns 20 years old at the end of July, and all three seasons are available over on Max.
Viewers who have been enjoying the animated adaptation of DC Comics’ storyline Crisis on Infinite Earths are anxious to know when Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three will arrive.
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One was released on January 9, marking the eighth installment in DC’s Tomorrowverse. Over the years, DC has built up quite a collection of animated films, which comprise multiple universes and continuities. The Tomorrorverse is one of the newest continuities, as it is the successor to the old DC Animated Universe (DCAMU). The new universe was established in 2020 with Superman: Man of the Tomorrow. Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths was quite an exciting addition to the shared universe as it marked a major crossover event, with Monitor (Jonathan Adams) recruiting heroes across the multiverse to combat a major threat.
The sequel, Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two, premiered on April 23, 2024. It follows the heroes as they begin to question Monitor’s past and are confronted by an extremely powerful army of shadow demons. Now, viewers are awaiting the final part of the major crossover film.
When does Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three come out?
(Warner Bros.)
Unfortunately, Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three does not yet have an official release date. However, it is confirmed it will be released sometime in 2024. There was a gap of about three months between the first two films. If the latest film follows the pattern of the previous two, it could arrive as early as August 2024.
In addition to concluding the multiversal adventure, there are a few other reasons the movie is so important to fans. Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three includes the final performance of Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman. Conroy first voiced Batman in Batman: The Animated Series in 1992 and would reprise the role dozens of times throughout his career, bringing the Caped Crusader to life across multiple DC universes. He recorded his part for Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three before his passing in 2022, and the movie’s release is likely to serve as a touching tribute to the legendary voice actor.
Additionally, the film will also include Mark Hamill’s final performance as The Joker. Hamill has been voicing the Joker since 1992 and has come to be considered as one of the character’s best actors. However, he recently announced he was retiring from the role. As such, Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three will close out the careers of two iconic figures in DC’s animated world, as well as wrap up the latest animated crossover event. Fortunately, viewers can rest assured that the movie should be arriving in just a few months.
(featured image: Warner Bros.)
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Amy Adams is a versatile actress known for her captivating performances across various genres. With a career spanning decades, Adams has showcased her talent in numerous acclaimed films. From enchanting audiences as a fairy-tale princess in Enchanted to delivering powerful dramatic roles in Doubt and Arrival, she consistently impresses with her depth and range. Adams’ versatility shines through in each role, earning her critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s most talented and beloved actresses.
Top 9 Amy Adams’ Movies on Netflix
Big Eyes (January 9, 2015)
In the film Big Eyes, Amy Adams portrays Margaret Keane, a talented artist whose paintings of wide-eyed children become a sensation in the 1950s and 1960s. Despite her remarkable artistic abilities, Margaret’s work is initially attributed to her husband, Walter Keane, played by Christoph Waltz, who takes credit for her creations. As Margaret’s paintings garner widespread acclaim, she struggles to assert her own identity and claim recognition for her art. Amy Adams delivers a nuanced and poignant performance, capturing Margaret’s journey of empowerment and self-discovery in the face of artistic exploitation and societal expectations. Her portrayal is both captivating and emotionally resonant.
The Fighter is a gripping sports drama film directed by David O. Russell, released in 2010. The film follows the real-life story of professional boxer Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg, and his tumultuous relationship with his family, particularly his older half-brother, Dicky Eklund, portrayed by Christian Bale. Amy Adams stars as Charlene Fleming, Micky’s tough and supportive girlfriend, who encourages him to break free from his family’s influence and pursue his boxing career independently. Adams delivers a compelling performance, imbuing Charlene with strength, resilience, and unwavering loyalty. Her portrayal adds depth to the film’s exploration of family dynamics, redemption, and the pursuit of one’s dreams.
Justice League (November 17, 2017)
Justice League is a superhero film released in 2017, directed by Zack Snyder. Amy Adams stars in the film as Lois Lane, a fearless journalist and love interest of Clark Kent, also known as Superman, played by Henry Cavill. As a key member of the ensemble cast, Adams brings depth and humanity to her role, portraying Lois as a determined and compassionate character who stands by Superman’s side in the battle against supervillains threatening Earth. Adams’ performance adds emotional weight to the film, highlighting Lois Lane’s importance not only as a love interest but also as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Hillbilly Elegy (November 11, 2020)
Hillbilly Elegy is a drama film released in 2020, directed by Ron Howard. Amy Adams stars in the film as Bev Vance, a troubled mother grappling with addiction and family dynamics in rural Appalachia. Portraying a complex and deeply flawed character, Adams delivers a raw and powerful performance, capturing Bev’s struggles with substance abuse and her tumultuous relationship with her son, J.D. Vance, played by Gabriel Basso. Through her nuanced portrayal, Adams brings depth and empathy to Bev’s character, shedding light on the challenges faced by working-class families and the resilience required to overcome adversity in pursuit of a better life.
Nocturnal Animals (November 23, 2016)
Nocturnal Animals is a psychological thriller released in 2016, directed by Tom Ford. In the film, Amy Adams plays the role of Susan Morrow, a successful art gallery owner who receives a manuscript from her ex-husband, Edward Sheffield, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. As Susan reads Edward’s novel, she becomes consumed by its dark and unsettling story, which parallels their past relationship. Amy Adams delivers a haunting and introspective performance, capturing Susan’s inner turmoil and regrets as she confronts the consequences of her past actions. Adams’ portrayal adds layers of complexity to the film, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction.
Vice (December 25, 2018)
Vice is a biographical comedy-drama film released in 2018, directed by Adam McKay. In the film, Amy Adams portrays Lynne Cheney, the wife of former Vice President Dick Cheney, played by Christian Bale. Adams delivers a commanding performance as Lynne, capturing her intelligence, ambition, and influence in shaping her husband’s political career. Through her portrayal, Adams highlights Lynne’s complex relationship with power and her unwavering support for Cheney’s political aspirations. Adams’ nuanced performance adds depth to the film, offering insight into the dynamics of one of the most powerful couples in American politics.
The Woman in the Window (May 14, 2021)
The Woman in the Window is a psychological thriller film released in 2021, directed by Joe Wright. In the film, Amy Adams stars as Anna Fox, an agoraphobic psychologist who spends her days observing her neighbors from the windows of her New York City brownstone. When Anna witnesses a disturbing event in the home across the street, her life takes a dark and twisted turn as she becomes entangled in a web of secrets and deception. Amy Adams delivers a captivating performance, portraying Anna with depth and vulnerability as she navigates paranoia and reality in her quest for the truth. Adams’ portrayal adds suspense and intensity to the film, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Arrival (September 2, 2016)
Arrival is a science fiction film released in 2016, directed by Denis Villeneuve. In the film, Amy Adams portrays Dr. Louise Banks, a linguist recruited by the military to communicate with extraterrestrial visitors who have arrived on Earth. As Dr. Banks attempts to decipher the aliens’ language and intentions, she grapples with her own personal grief and experiences profound revelations about time, language, and humanity’s place in the universe. Amy Adams delivers a mesmerizing performance, capturing Dr. Banks’ intelligence, empathy, and emotional depth as she navigates the complexities of first contact. Adams’ portrayal adds emotional resonance to the film, elevating it beyond the typical sci-fi genre fare into a thought-provoking exploration of communication and connection.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (March 25, 2016)
In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, a superhero film released in 2016 and directed by Zack Snyder, Amy Adams reprises her role as Lois Lane, the intrepid journalist and love interest of Superman. As the film delves into the conflict between Batman and Superman, Lois plays a pivotal role in uncovering the truth behind the escalating tensions and confronting the forces threatening the world. Amy Adams brings depth and authenticity to her portrayal of Lois Lane, showcasing her tenacity, intelligence, and unwavering support for Superman amidst the chaos and turmoil. Adams’ performance adds emotional resonance to the film, grounding the superhero spectacle in human drama and relationships.
Man of Steel (June 14, 2013)
In Man of Steel, a superhero film released in 2013 and directed by Zack Snyder, Amy Adams stars as Lois Lane, the fearless journalist determined to uncover the truth about the mysterious figure known as Superman. As Superman grapples with his identity and destiny, Lois becomes entangled in his journey, forming a deep connection with the alien superhero. Amy Adams delivers a compelling performance as Lois Lane, capturing her intelligence, bravery, and unwavering pursuit of justice. Adams’ portrayal adds depth and humanity to the film, grounding the epic superhero story in relatable characters and emotional resonance.
From his critically maligned but fan-favorite Sucker Punch to his infamous internet darling “Snyder Cut” of 2017’s Justice League, Zack Snyder is no stranger to drumming up discourse whenever one of his films nears release. His latest effort for Netflix, Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire, has already sparked discussions of an R-rated, three-hour director’s cut to give his fans an alternate taste before Rebel Moon — Part Two hits the streaming platform early next year. But while Snyder may do his best to invent a dark, gripping universe to engross viewers, Rebel Moon is a limp, soulless regurgitation of tropes stolen from much more formidable films.
The Week In Games: High On Witchcraft
Written, directed, produced, and shot by Snyder, Rebel Moon follows Kora (Sofia Boutella), a battle-hardened soldier with a tragic past. Though she’s attempting to live a low-profile life on a peaceful farming colony, Kora is forced to once again take up the mantle of warrior when the Motherworld sends a military contingent led by the brutal Admiral Noble (Ed Skrein) to occupy her new home. With the help of a humble farmer (Michiel Huisman) Kora sets off on a galaxy-spanning adventure to recruit a ragtag group of fighters to defend her homeland.
Attempting to establish an original, engrossing science-fiction world is no small task, even for the most adept of writers, and it’s painfully clear that Snyder took heavy aesthetic and stylistic notes from genre classics like Star Wars and Dune, without understanding the story and emotional beats that made those aforementioned franchises so beloved. Certainly, there’s all manner of science-fiction spectacle in Rebel Moon to gawk at: the characters are all dressed in tattered greyscale robes, wielding retrofuturist weapons and talking about the “Motherworld” and the “Imperium.”
But while every element of production design, costuming, and worldbuilding is certainly specific, none of them are inspired or purposeful. Instead, Rebel Moon’s stylistic sensibilities feel like Snyder simply tossed all the sci-fi greats into a blender and called it a day. Extensive attention is paid to plotting out lore and history, but Snyder forgets to flesh out the characters that populate his meticulously detailed universe.
Aside from Kora, whose tragic backstory and brutal upbringing are delivered entirely through clunky monologues of exposition that bleed into extensive flashback sequences, the rest of Rebel Moon’s sizable ensemble castare eacg allotted five minutes of dialogue, if that. Kora and her crew flit to a new planet, are treated to a dazzling display of their new ally’s combat prowess, given the CliffsNotes version of their tragic backstory (is there any other kind?), and then that character simply falls in among the ranks, never to be examined or explored with any real intentionality again.
As for Kora herself, Boutella brings the customary strength and stoicism expected of a YA dystopian protagonist with none of the heart or passion. Constantly glowering out from underneath her dark crop of hair, Kora is a painfully uninteresting hero whose stoicism is certainly understandable given her history, but whose personality could not make for a more tepid protagonist. Though she’s plenty ferocious in combat, Kora is detached and distant when not embroiled in a fight, giving the entire film a remote, inaccessible emotional core. At two hours and 15 minutes, Rebel Moon is a laborious moviegoing experience—why should the audience care about the film’s events when the protagonist herself barely seems to?
Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire | Official Trailer | Netflix
Rebel Moon’s lack of interest in exploring its own characters is made all the more frustrating by the cruel, visceral nature of its villains—while we don’t get much personality from Kora, Gunnar, and the other wannabe heroes, we are treated to several extended sequences that revel in the cruelty and violence of the Imperium. The vaguely fascist ruling faction is clearly an underbaked stand-in for Star Wars’ Empire, but Snyder mistakes onscreen brutality for effective writing. The film’s first act subjects viewers to an extended sequence of Imperium soldiers attempting to rape a villager, a scene that serves no other purpose than making explicitly clear to the audience that the authoritarian military occupiers are, in fact, bad guys.
The world Snyder has created is a cold, brutal one, utterly lacking in any kind of charm, whimsy, or excitement. The closest Rebel Moon ever comes to eliciting any kind of emotional response is during the action-packed, slo-mo heavy combat sequences. Stories like Star Wars and Dune soar by using far-fetched worlds and fantastical settings to interrogate relatable, deeply human ideas. Rebel Moon, on the other hand,trades in the aesthetic trappings of those classics without making the effort to engage on any emotional or philosophical level.
Though Rebel Moon ends on a relative cliffhanger with the promise of a sequel on the horizon, it’s difficult to imagine why one would want to subject themselves to another two hours in this soulless slog of a universe. Certainly, Snyder is a master of his particular brand of highly stylized action sequences, but the sheer lack of emotional stakes and memorable characters renders Rebel Moon toothless.
Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child Of Fire begins streaming on Netflix December 21.
DC just announced a huge crossover event. The Justice League will take on a number of Kaiju from Legendary’s Monsterverse. DC, Legendary, and Toho are all collaborating to make the massive matchup a reality. The seven-issue series will hit store shelves this fall.
The official summary of the arc is as follows:
The fight ‘starts as a routine clash between the Justice League and the Legion of Doom takes a dangerous turn when the wall between worlds is breached…with Godzilla, Kong, and the MonsterVerse emerging on DC’s Earth! What ensues will be a brawl of unprecedented scale and destruction!’
DC’s president Jim Lee spoke at San Diego Comic-Con to share his enthusiasm for the project.
As a comics fan—there’s nothing more fun and exciting than exploring those amazing ‘What If’ situations that come up when fandoms cross streams! In this case, it’s a matchup of the world’s greatest Super Heroes in the Justice League who take on not only the King of the Monsters—Godzilla—but the mighty Kong himself! It’s a crossover no-holds-barred battle, decades in the making, and no bona fide comics fan will want to miss it!
The Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong comic series will be written by Brian Buccellato and illustrated by Christian Duce. The next Monsterverse movie, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is scheduled to open in theaters on March 15, 2024. The movie will be released by Warner Bros. — the same company that owns DC Comics, and the Justice League.
DC Comics That Can’t Become DC Movies
These popular DC Comics titles can never get their own DC movies. (Sorry.)
The shakeups going on at DC are a little confusing for most people, but nobody more so than Zack Snyder fans. It’s understood that the Snyderverse is essentially defunct and done with, but some fans are still hanging on to the hope that it could continue in some way. After the release of the Snyder Cut of Justice League, certain fans are campaigning for Snyder’s full return. At the very least, if Snyder doesn’t come back to head up the DCU, they want him to buy the rights to make more movies in his own separate DC Universe.
Just given the way intellectual property laws work, it’s not really likely that things end up going that way. Even if he was able to get the characters, he’d likely have to start an entire production company to get the movies in motion. Doing so would cost a ridiculous amount of money, and as Snyder himself said, it’s above his pay grade.
Zack Snyder recently explained the whole thing in a YouTube stream appearance, saying: “It would be amazing if, you know, I could, like, whatever, control over the IP [that] exists. I don’t… That’s not my part. That’s not my role.”
When asked how he feels about the new structure at Warner Bros., and James Gunn and Peter Safran taking over as the CEOs of DC Studios, he was actually fairly chill about the whole thing, and extremely supportive ofGunn and what’s going on at DC.
“I’ll say one thing. Warner Bros., as far as this screening event is concerned, have been incredible. This group now is beyond kind and caring and personal, and it’s been amazing working with it. So I have no complaints beyond that as far as the creative goals and what they’re planning.”
Snyder’s “Full Circle” event will take place at the Ahmanson Auditorium at ArtCenter College of Design on April 28-29, along with an additional screening April 30 at the Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood.
The New DC Universe of Movies and Shows
All the projects announced by DC Studios as the start of “Chapter 1” of the company’s new universe of movies and shows.
Throughout the interview, Affleck colorfully sounded off on various topics, including his “world-class Boston finesse” for parallel parking, his “red velvet rope celebrity Wordle group,” why he thinks of golf as the sports version of meth, and how he actually “had a good time at the Grammys,” thank you very much.
But he became particularly impassioned when speaking about taking on the role of Batman, saying that participating in DC Comics films “became somewhat repetitive to me and less interesting” to him across the several movies in which he appeared. “And by the way, I like a lot of the stuff we did, especially the first one [Batman v Superman],” Affleck said.
Perhaps not surprisingly, it was 2017’s infamously difficult Justice League that soured him on the experience. “You could teach a seminar on all the reasons why this is how not to do it. Ranging from production to bad decisions to horrible personal tragedy, and just ending with the most monstrous taste in my mouth,” Affleck said of the production, which brought in Joss Whedon to direct after original director Zack Snyder’s daughter died by suicide in 2017.
The Oscar winner, who has previously shared his misgivings about playing the Caped Crusader, subsequently bowed out of directing his own Batman film. “[Justice League] made me go, ‘I’m out. I never want to do any of this again. I’m not suited,’” Affleck said. “That was the worst experience I’ve ever seen in a business which is full of some shitty experiences. It broke my heart.”
The whole thing was so punishing, Affleck explained, that he “started to drink too much,” adding, “I was back at the hotel in London, it was either that or jump out the window. And I just thought, This isn’t the life I want. My kids aren’t here. I’m miserable. You want to go to work and find something interesting to hang on to, rather than just wearing a rubber suit, and most of it you’re just standing against the computer screen going, ‘If this nuclear waste gets loose, we’ll…’ That’s fine. I don’t condescend to that or put it down, but I got to a point where I found it creatively not satisfying.”
Affleck did, however, suit up once more to play the character in The Flash, which stars Ezra Miller and hits theaters in June. “I did finally figure out how to play that character [Batman], and I nailed it in The Flash,” Affleck said. “For the five minutes I’m there, it’s really great.” But don’t bet on him to save the day on any future projects. “I would not direct something for the [James] Gunn DC. Absolutely not,” the actor said when asked by The Hollywood Reporter. “I have nothing against James Gunn. Nice guy, sure he’s going to do a great job. I just wouldn’t want to go in and direct in the way they’re doing that.”
Studio interference has long been the bane of any auteur filmmaker. According to James Gunn though, it’s a thing of the past at DC. While almost every studio gets involved with the production of their big-budget films in a way their directors might not appreciate, DC has a history of going a little bit overboard.
Perhaps the most notorious example of this is when Zack Snyder stepped away from a DC project. He was in the middle of working on Justice League when Snyder quit; the studio then brought in Joss Whedon to finish the film. Of course, everyone had a hard time adjusting to the changes, Whedon included. It had the effect of derailing the entire production, and the editors had to piece together new and old footage to create a functioning story after bringing all of the actors back in for reshoots. As we all know, the end result wasn’t exactly super. Luckily, Zack Snyder was able to release his own cut of the film. As it stands now, the original cut has a 6.1 on IMDb, while Snyder’s has an 8.0.
“@jamesgunn As long as the studio doesn’t override you and your directors at every turn, I for one have confidence that you’ll actually be making decisions for the DCU that I can get onboard with. In my opinion (worth exactly nothing) it was studio interference that derailed the previous attempt at a DCU. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that Mr. Johns was quite frustrated.”
Gunn replied to quell his fears, replying “The position is different than it was with Zack, etc. Peter & I are the heads of DC Studios. The only studio interference would be from us!”
As you can see, it seems like we’re in for a much purer vision of what the DC universe can be. Ideally, any changes that James Gunn makes would be welcome.
Every DC Comics Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best
From Superman and the Mole Men to The Suicide Squad, we ranked every movie based on DC comics.
