Justice League Cast Reflects On Director Changeover: “This Is Zack Snyder’s Movie”

In lieu of Zack Snyder, two-time Avengers director Joss Whedon will shepherd Justice League over the finish line.

That headline, one that first emerged back in May, sparked fears that Whedon’s last-minute appointment would result in Justice League becoming the DC equivalent of The Avengers, replete with zippy dialogue and light-hearted humor. And though the Age of Ultron filmmaker ordered some extensive reshoots upon climbing aboard, Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) and Co. firmly believe that Justice League is still Zack Snyder’s movie, even if the Internet says otherwise.

Despite vacating the director’s chair in order to tend to a personal tragedy alongside his wife and producing partner Deborah, Zack Snyder’s name remains on the Justice League masthead, with Joss Whedon receiving a screenwriting credit alongside Chris Terrio (Star Wars: Episode IX).

This saga was presented to the Justice League cast as part of Empire’s ongoing coverage, and Ben Affleck (Batman) began by remembering the moment when the film’s producers found common ground between Snyder and Whedon’s directing styles.

I didn’t sense that we were moving towards something that felt like The Avengers. Joss is more than just an Avengers director. He’s a good storyteller, full stop. In mid-stream, Joss got on and part of what interested him was the puzzle aspect of it, fitting in pieces that weren’t there yet. He put the rest of the pieces in and gave it his own imprimatur. Joss came in and walked a very fine line between Zack’s sensibility, tone, and direction. We found a really fun and inspiring synthesis of their two forms of storytelling. I was so glad everyone showed up to work for Zack.

Gal Gadot then echoed previous comments about Whedon being brought into “fine-tune” the initial vision:

This is Zack Snyder’s movie. Joss only did a few weeks of reshoots. He was Zack’s guy and knew exactly what he wanted to get. [Zack Snyder] has a beautiful vision.

As for how the Justice League cast received word, Barry Allen himself, Ezra Miller, revealed that Zack Snyder took the time to call all of the film’s key players individually to break the news.

It’s a heroic act at its route. He called each and every one of us and took the time to explain something that defies, in many ways, explanation. He told us exactly how it was going to go down, which was true to course. He fascinates and amazes and staggers me. Zack Snyder, ultimate [frick]ing legend. Forever.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which has since been trimmed and finalized by the seasoned Joss Whedon, will hit theaters on November 17th. Just don’t be fooled into thinking that the DCEU will suddenly become a less cohesive unit after 2017.