Nearly two years after Justice League hit theaters and became one of the decade's biggest comic book movie flops, Zack Snyder confirms that Martian Manhunter was actually in his version of the superhero epic.
One of Justice League's many criticisms is that Snyder and Joss Whedon didn't quite manage to "Unite the Seven" and bring a fully-formed team of heroes to life. Alongside only a hint of the Green Lanterns, it looked like fan-favorite Martian Manhunter was missing in action when it came to Justice League - or was he?
Posting on Vero, Snyder shared a storyboard of Martian Manhunter and left jaws on the floor with the shocking reveal that Harry Lennix's General Calvin Swanwick is actually J'onn J'onzz in disguise. Before stepping away from Justice League due to family loss and handing the reins over to Whedon, Snyder confirmed he'd shot Martian Manhunter's story - apart from the scenes with Lennix. He went on to explain he'd planned to do this while filming in Los Angeles.
The Martian Manhunter/Swanwick theory has been floated since Snyder's Man of Steel in 2013. Toward the end of the movie, there was a cryptic exchange between Swanwick and Superman where Kal-El asked, why he's being followed by drones. Swanwick knowingly said he'd try to help but added, "Even if I were willing to try, what makes you think they'd listen?". This was followed by Superman's odd response of, "I don't know, General. Guess I'll have to trust you."
Since his exit from the DC Extended Universe, Snyder has remained invested in his vision for the franchise and what was supposed to come after Justice League. Alongside showing off a cut arc for Cyborg, Snyder also confirmed he'd wanted Wonder Woman to kill Steppenwolf. However, his Martian Manhunter reveal could be one of the biggest shockers yet.
Even though Lennix had previously shot down the Martian Manhunter theory, it looks like he was pulling the wool over everybody's eyes. With Darkseid supposed to be the big bad of Justice League 2, it's highly likely that Lennix's version of Martian Manhunter would've become an integral part of the League's growing roster.
Fans have been calling for the mythical Snyder Cut since 2017, and if it ever comes out, it sounds like there are plenty more surprises on their way. Why Snyder has saved this tantalizing piece of information until now is a mystery, but if this doesn't spark interest in the Snyder Cut, nothing will.
(via Twitter\@TheNiceCast_)