The release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was four years ago this week. As the second film in the DC Extended Universe, it was important for not only bringing the two titular heroes together for the first time in a live-action theatrical film but also for setting the stage for Wonder Woman’s theatrical live-action debut and laying the groundwork for Justice League.
Director Zack Snyder hosted a live commentary of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on Vero this past weekend to commemorate the anniversary and provide something for DCEU fans after the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice screening scheduled for March 28 in Detroit was canceled due to coronavirus concerns. With the video below, you can now view the complete watch party.
Although Zack Snyder did not record a commentary track for the home release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, if you find yourself viewing the extended version, i.e. The Ultimate Edition, you now have the option to host this watch party while the three-hour film plays. If you’re a die-hard fan of Batman v Superman and Snyder’s DCEU vision in general, he didn’t let you down with his insightful remarks.
The notorious Martha scene, Flash’s time travel, Wonder Woman’s black and white portrait, Superman’s death scene, and the foreshadowing of the Man of Steel’s inevitable resurrection were among the things Zack Snyder discussed during the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice commentary. He ended the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice watch party with some shade, suggesting that the film be made into a sequel.
Of course, we did get a sequel to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as Justice League came out in November 2017. While Zack Snyder helmed it during the principal photography stage, he had to exit during postproduction and Joss Whedon was brought in to oversee the reshoots. The result was a Justice League that not only differed significantly from what Snyder envisioned but critically and commercially underwhelmed.
The #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement has been clamoring for Warner Bros. to release the version of Justice League that better reflects Zack Snyder’s vision in the years after its release. While the Ultimate Edition of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice added a half-hour to the duration, Snyder’s Snyder Cut of Justice League clocks in at 214 minutes, making it a little over an hour and a half longer than the theatrical version of Justice League.
For the time being, Warner Bros. has no intentions to make the Snyder Cut available to the general public, whether through a standard home release or on HBO Max, but this Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice watch party was just the latest way that Zack Snyder has showed his support for his fans. The director has also shared a slew of behind-the-scenes photos and insights about how his version of Justice League differed from the final product.
With Man of Steel, Zack Snyder launched the DCEU in 2013, with a five-movie arc planned, culminating in two Justice League sequels. Since the release of Justice League, however, the DCEU’s trajectory has evolved, and not only is the series focused more on independent character tales rather than interconnectedness, but Snyder’s time with it appears to be over. Still, many people enjoyed what he did in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Warner Bros. may alter its mind and release the Snyder Cut as asked in the future.