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- "Zack Snyder's Justice League" debuted on HBO Max on March 18.
- Nicknamed the "Snyder Cut," the film overhauls the 2017 release with roughly two hours of new footage.
- The "Snyder Cut" won't be released in theaters, so you need HBO Max ($15 a month) to watch.
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"Zack Snyder's Justice League" premiered on HBO Max on March 18; the result of a multi-year fan campaign to see the director's vision of the DC Comics super team as he originally intended.
The DC cinematic universe has struggled to garner the commercial success and acclaim enjoyed by Marvel movies, but Snyder's grounded interpretations of iconic DC heroes, like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, have found a dedicated fan base. Those tireless fans lobbied for years until Warner Bros. agreed to spend $70 million to create a new cut of "Justice League" based on Snyder's original script.
Snyder hosted a digital premiere event on March 17 for the film's HBO Max release, hosted by fellow director and past comic book writer Kevin Smith. The event featured behind the scenes footage, interviews with Snyder, fan trivia, and comments from the cast. A 30-minute documentary focused on the director's creative process and more backstage footage will reportedly hit HBO Max this week.
The 2017 theatrical release of "Justice League" received a lukewarm reception from critics and fans of Snyder's prior films in the DC universe. Though Snyder was in charge for the majority of the movie's production, a series of personal tragedies, including the death of Snyder's daughter, forced him to leave the project before it was complete.
Warner Bros. hired "Avengers" director Joss Whedon to complete "Justice League," leading to substantial changes to the film's story and reshoots. Several cast members have spoken out against Whedon's conduct on set, with Cyborg actor Ray Fisher vowing never to work on another film handled by DC Films President Walter Hamada, who oversaw an investigation into Whedon's conduct after the movie was released.
Despite the completion of Snyder's cut, the director told fans it's unlikely that we'll see a continuation of his "Justice League" franchise. Gal Gadot reprised her role as Wonder Woman in "Wonder Woman 1984" earlier this year, and Ezra Miller is expected to begin filming "The Flash" in April 2021. Robert Pattinson's upcoming "The Batman" will not share a connection with "Justice League," while Ta-Nehisi Coates and J.J. Abrams are reportedly working on a new "Superman" film.
Updated on 3/18/2021 by Kevin Webb: This article has been updated with new details related to the premiere of the "Synder Cut" on HBO Max.
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How does 'Zack Snyder's Justice League' compare to the original?
"Zack Snyder's Justice League" features several changes to the original film, including the addition of a significant appearance from the DC villain Darkseid, and a new look for the alien antagonist Steppenwolf.
Cyborg, a hero introduced to DC films in "Justice League," is said to play a crucial role in the revised story as well. Snyder has also revealed the appearance of Batman's nemesis the Joker, played by Jared Leto.
Snyder says his version of "Justice League" won't be using any of the reshoot material directed by Joss Whedon, but it will be adding tons of new footage to match his original script. Snyder's "Justice League" will reportedly run four hours, roughly twice as long as the original. Snyder also hinted that the film could end on a cliffhanger, since he intended it to be part of a series of movies, like "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame."
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How to watch 'Zack Snyder's Justice League' on HBO Max
"Zack Snyder's Justice League" premiered exclusively on HBO Max on March 18. It's available for unlimited viewing as part of an HBO Max subscription for $15 a month. Most HBO cable subscribers can also access HBO Max through their TV provider account at no extra cost.
You can stream HBO Max in your browser, or download the HBO Max app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple devices, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, and many smart TVs.
HBO Max just started making movies available in 4K resolution with HDR contrast earlier this year, along with Dolby Atmos audio. "Zack Snyder's Justice League" supports both formats. Here's a list of 4K devices that are compatible with 4K streaming on HBO Max.
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What else is coming to HBO Max?
Beyond "Justice League," Warner Bros. has been bringing all of its new theatrical releases to HBO Max during 2021. Other films available right now include "Tom & Jerry."
The next movies scheduled for release are "Godzilla vs. Kong" on March 31 and "Mortal Kombat" on April 16. The more kid-friendly "Space Jam: A New Legacy," starring LeBron James and the Looney Tunes, is scheduled to hit HBO Max on July 16.
We've also put together a full list of every upcoming Warner Bros. movie scheduled to hit theaters and HBO Max in 2021.
Kevin Webb
Video Game Reporter
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