The world of superhero movies and streaming services was rocked when it was announced that HBO Max would release the long-awaited "Snyder Cut." Shelling out DCEU.
However, it could also mean absolutely nothing for the DCEU. There's a world out there where the cut drops on HBO Max, and the only ones who care are the DC obsessives who have made this film their life's mission. Life may go on with nary a change to the DCEU. It all depends on the actual film itself.
Change Forever: New Characters
Darkseid is one of the few characters to be teased by Snyder so far. Rumors persist about many other characters, though, including Martian Manhunter and Atom.
If either of them show up, that has major implications for the DCEU. Stories around these characters would likely be accelerated more than they already are. (The Green Lantern Corps is on the way to HBO Max already.)
Stay The Same: New Actors
One thing the Snyder Cut won't be able to fix are the actors playing some of the characters. In Justice League, for example, Ben Affleck played Batman and J.K. Simmons portrays Commissioner Gordon.
In the forthcoming Matt Reeves film, The Batman, though, Robert Pattinson is taking over for Affleck, and Jeffrey Wright will become Gordon. The DCEU is moving in this direction, and a Snyder Cut with actors who have already moved on won't make a difference to the franchise.
Change Forever: Listening To Fans
If the Snyder Cut does prove to be successful, then it would have major implications for the influence that fans have over the movies. Suddenly, Twitter s and their demands could hold as much clout as the actual creative workers on these films.
It could spell danger for the future of the DCEU. With the Snyder Cut, a precedent might be set that if a movie does not meet all of a fan's expectations, then that movie will receive the demand of a remake. That's not the best strategy for cinematic cohesion.
Stay The Same: Aquaman And The Billions
The Snyder Cut could also just be a way to appease the DC fans. After all, the new direction of DC movies seems to be more fruitful. Aquaman made a billion dollars at the box office.
Why would the DCEU go back to the Snyder era where critical and commercial reception were both muted? They've found a solid path for themselves, and it seems like the best way forward.
Change Forever: Streaming Superheroes
If the Snyder Cut does prove to be a major boon for the new Warner Brothers streaming service, then it could change the way superheroes exist in major movies and television shows.
Disney+ has a ton of Marvel series in the works with characters from the films (like HBO Max might be more synonymous with DC's heroes than the actual multiplexes will be.
Stay The Same: It's Not Really That New
One crucial element of the Snyder Cut is that it's not actually going to be all that different. A finished cut of Justice League from Snyder never existed, and this HBO Max endeavor is a new re-cut. Therefore, the movie won't be that different from the actual 2017 film.
Some of the more Joss Whedon-esque elements will likely be removed, but the general arc of the story will stay in place. Many were not crazy about this original story, so it's hard to imagine anything changing when the Snyder Cut maintains much of the status quo. (Unless, maybe, a Snyder sequel comes to be.)
Change Forever: Altered Canon
Despite this, all it would take to change the canon of the DCEU forever are a few minor tweaks. If a character arc is changed or an element of the ending is revised, that could really change the past understandings of the DCEU and how it operates.
Something like Wonder Woman 1984 will not change very much, for example. (It takes place decades before Justice League.) But future stories might have different backgrounds if the Snyder Cut becomes popular enough to become canon.
Stay The Same: The Villain Problem
Some of the millions of dollars that are being shelled out for the Snyder Cut will be used on the visual effects of the film. Hopefully, this will improve the CGI quality of characters like Steppenwolf.
But there's only so much Snyder can do about the actual character quality of Steppenwolf. One of the weakest links of Justice League was the forgettable nature of the villain. This problem can't be changed with a simple re-cut. It'd need an entire overhaul.
Change Forever: Henry Cavill
It was recently announced that Henry Cavill is in talks to return as Superman to the DCEU. If the Snyder Cut goes well and a love for Superman is renewed, Cavill's capacity might increase beyond just one film.
At a time when continuity seems secondary to the focus of the DCEU, the return of someone like Cavill, around whom many fans have rallied, could provide some semblance of consistency to a cinematic universe in chaos. The Snyder Cut definitely has a chance to renew the love of one of its biggest stars.
Stay The Same: Cuts In Demand
If the Snyder Cut proves to be a smashing success, then there might be no telling what else will receive demands for a re-cut. Many are hopeful that the Snyder Cut's release will stop the endless badgering on the part of fans. However, it might just empower them to call for more director-oriented cuts.
And don't be surprised if fans demand the Andy Fickman cut of Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2. The Snyder Cut will come out, but the fans' demands will stay the same.
