After years of anticipation and fan campaigning,ZackSnyder’s Justice Leagueis finally coming to HBO Max next week. However, if you can’t wait that long, a fan film titledBATMAN: DYING IS EASYmightquench your thirst since it fits in line with Zack Snyder’s vision of the DC universe.
The 25-minute short film sees Batman taking a trip to Arkham Asylum to confronthis old enemy the Joker. The film features incredible attention to detail through the makeup, costumes, and production design. It even features some celebrity cameos, includingReservoir Dogsactor Michael Madsen as corrupt Gotham police detective Harvey Bullock and Doug Jones ofStar Trek: Discoveryfame as The Riddler. Other classic DC comics characters make appearances throughout the film, including Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Hugo Strange, Mr. Freeze, and Killer Croc.
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Zack Snyder’s Batman was first seen in his 2016 filmBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the follow-up to his first DC film,Man of Steel.InDawn of Justice,Batman (Ben Affleck) goes up against Superman (Henry Cavill), believing that the Kryptonian superhero could not be trusted after witnessing the collateral damage brought on by his fight with General Zod (Michael Shannon).Batman v Supermanwas intended to lead directly intoJustice Leagueand started setting up the shared movie universe by introducing futureDCEU characters like Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot).
Snyder’s version of the Caped Crusader was VERY dark, depicting the bat-themed vigilante as incredibly violent, even going as far as branding criminals with a bat hot iron and committing murder. Considering Snyder’s other comic book films, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the director has developed a reputation for adapting ‘dark’ and ‘gritty’ comic book stories like300andAlan Moore’sWatchmen.
Snyder took some flack for his depiction of the Dark Knight, with some critics and audiences lamenting that it wastoodark and that the film itself was relentlessly bleak. However, many fans clearly enjoyed this depiction and felt that Snyder took the character seriously, adapting him for a more mature audience. Clearly, the folks over at YouTubeBatinthesunare fans, as they’ve done an incredible job replicating a similar style and tone to Snyder’s films.
Sadly, it seems like Snyder’s Batman will be retiring afterJustice League, as actor Ben Affleck has made it clear he will not be returning to the role. Warner Bros. is pursuing another live-action adaptation in the form of theMatt Reeves-directed film titledThe Batman,which is set to starTwilightactor Robert Pattinson as the billionaire turned vigilante. Based on the trailer released late last year, Reeves' film appears to be continuing the dark and gritty tone for Batman. The film looks to depict the character ruthlessly beating criminals even after they’re down.The Batmanis currently slated to be released March 4th, 2022, but has been pushed back several times due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Zack Snyder’s Justice Leaguepremieres on HBO Max on March 18th, 2021.
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