Zack Snyder's Justice League has been hailed as a vast improvement over the theatrical release and has singlehandedly reinvigorated the DC Extended Universe's momentum. This resounding positivity was likely not what Warner Bros. expected, but it would be foolish to just jettison its success away. Using Zack Snyder's exact plans for a sequel to the film, however, won't work either.

Several of the ideas for the second and third Justice League hinged on concepts wrapped up or not introduced in the Snyder Cut. However, there's a way to keep the Snyderverse intact in the DCEU without doing another Justice League film right away.

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Justice League Sequels

Snyder's planned sequels to the film made Justice League into a trilogy. This was part of Snyder's five-movie plan for the DCEU, with different spinoff movies being made along the way. Narrative seeds would have been planted for these movies in other films, such as the first Justice League, but that didn't come to pass for everything.

One element that was cut out was the Green Lanterns' formal introduction. This would have dovetailed into the sequel taking the heroes into a more cosmic battle against Darkseid. Having to introduce Green Lantern in the second and then go into space in that same movie might be a bit too much, even if Snyder was given the chance to make another four-hour affair.

The ending of Zack Snyder's Justice League also suggests that the infamous Knightmare sequence is just that -- a bad dream. Using it as the setting for future movies when it's been essentially wrapped up as mere imagination would both come off as lazy and possibly flat narratively. Snyder's ideas for the third movie also sounded like a definitive end to the DCEU, which might be seen as a waste when the universe is only now regaining momentum.

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The DCEU's Tone

Knightmare Batman in Zack Snyder's Justice League

One major criticism of the DCEU movies has been their dark and tour tones. This stands out not only because of the typically lighter nature of characters like Superman but also because of the jokes and quips featured in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Films like Aquaman and Shazam! were praised for their lighter and more adventurous tone, but the pendulum began swinging back when Wonder Woman 1984 was criticized for its "cheesy" elements.

That's perhaps part of the reason why the Snyder Cut has been so well-received, as it once again gives the characters a sense of gravitas, epicness and seriousness. Superman's return especially has been regarded as a great, dramatic scene. Some of Snyder's sequel plans, however, would definitely stoke the flames of being "dark and gritty" again. These involved ideas like a pregnant Lois Lane being killed, which led to a heartbroken Superman turning evil.

That plot is incredibly similar to the dark and gritty Injustice video games and comic books, which turns Superman, a symbol of hope, into a terrifying figure. Unfortunately, this direction would continue to rob the well-liked Henry Cavill of a chance to just portray the classic Superman and force the DCEU to focus around this subversive story.

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Restoring the Snyderverse

Henry Cavill in Man of Steel

There's still a way to build off of Zack Snyder's Justice League and guide the DCEU into a new direction, though. The first idea would be to bring Snyder in to direct a sequel to Man of Steel, showcasing where Clark and Lois' likely engaged life goes from there and introduce villains like Brainiac or Metallo. The more serious tone of the Snyder movies could be kept, while still incorporating more hopeful and classic scenes to compliment Superman's return and respect as a hero.

Concepts from Snyder's version of Justice League should also be made canon in the DCEU moving forward. Snyder's plans for movies starring the Atom and Cyborg should also be used, adding some diversity to the DCEU's film slate and rounding out the universe with stories unrelated to Superman, Wonder Woman or the New Gods. Likewise, the New Gods film should be based entirely around Snyder's take on the characters. The film should use the same designs while giving them all backstory, perhaps showing Steppenwolf's initial betrayal of Darkseid that caused him to be banished.

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A potential prequel movie or miniseries on HBO Max starring Ben Affleck's Batman has also been rumored, and it would be a way to introduce plans that the actor and Snyder had for the character. That project would be a great opportunity to show audiences why Deathstroke has a vendetta against Batman, which could factor into the Legion of Doom forming in a later movie. Finally, once these movies have released in the current climate of positivity for Snyder's vision, potential sequels to Justice League could be made, albeit differently than what was initially planned.

Zack Snyder's Justice League stars Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Ray Porter as Darkseid, Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon. The film is now streaming on HBO Max.

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