Justice League 2 May Now Be Happening
Is Justice League 2 back on the table for Zack Snyder?
This article is more than 2 years old
Early word from Zack Snyder’s Justice League has been so promising that the once-killed sequel Justice L3ague 2 may now be back on the table at Warner Bros. and not just one but maybe even a third movie.
Insider Grace Randolph is now reporting that the buzz surrounding Snyder’s new cut, a four-hour extravaganza, is buzzing in such a big way, that Warner is now reconsidering their former stance on a one-and-done Justice League movie. Not only is Randolph reporting that Justice League 2 and 3 are back in discussion, but she is also saying that there are some over at Warner that wish to see Snyder direct a third Wonder Woman movie.
When Zack Snyder stepped away from his Justice League to deal with the tragic suicide of his daughter, it was thought his movie was going to be in good hands with Joss Whedon. But as well all know, Whedon turned Snyder’s vision into his own, which promptly resembled a dumpster fire. The bulk of the movie had already been shot by Snyder, but when Whedon came in, he decided reshoots were necessary, then decided a rewrite was necessary, adding 80 pages of his own material while removing most of Snyder’s version. The result, in many eyes, was disheartening at best and killed any hope of Justice League 2. What audiences saw in the movie theater comprised about 10% of what Snyder had shot. Normal reshoots go for about $6-10 million, Whedon’s cost Warner Bros. over $25 million.
With a final budget reportedly coming in around $300 million, Whedon’s version of Justice League brought in a worldwide total of almost $658 million. The estimated break-even for the studio was around $750 million. The studio lost money big time, making it a box office bomb. Hopes and dreams for Justice League 2 were immediately dashed and as time has gone on, Whedon’s reputation has hit the skids, not only on a professional level from those he’s worked with but a personal level from sexual misconduct allegations by his ex-wife.
So, with the disaster that was Justice League, Warner Bros. was rightfully so backing away from their planned sequel. Then the Release the Snyder Cut movement began. Fans were begging and the actors were begging. Gal Gadot tweeted out to release the Snyder Cut. Ben Affleck and Jason Momoa spoke up about a possible Snyder cut. What most wanted to see was the story that Whedon left on the editing floor and what could lead in to Justice League 2.
It took some time, but Warner Bros. finally listened and turned back to Snyder, asking him to finish what he started. Snyder knew they were serious when they were prepared to pony up $30 million for Snyder to finish the project, a sum that has since been reported to have ballooned in upwards of $70 million. And it appears that Warner is happy with the results enough to consider Justice League 2.
Of course, Snyder has said as recently as a few weeks ago that Warner Bros. has no desire to commission a Justice League 2 and that the two have not even spoken about one. He said via ComicBook, “The reality is, as far as I know, there’s no interest and/or appetite to do more of these movies from Warner Bros. With me, anyway. But I didn’t think making this, finishing this film correctly would ever happen. But I did do my best to — as far as the creation of the Justice League, those different personalities being brought together — that idea, that’s what this movie is about. There is a suggestion of course in the film, as there would be within any of these movies, of a larger universe that’s still out there.”
The telling tale will come soon. Zack Snyder’s Justice League will premiere on HBO Max on March 18, 2021, even though unsuspecting fans got a taste of it on the streamer when they thought they were watching the new Tom and Jerry movie only to be treated with Snyder’s Justice League. Oops. As for a possible Justice League 2 and 3, fans will drive that bus. If the numbers are overwhelming, you can count on Warner Bros. finding it in their hearts to sanction another. The numbers would have to be overwhelming since the initial budget, plus Whedon’s reshoots, plus marketing for both films, plus Snyder’s retooling has the studio on the hook for nearly half a billion dollars.
