WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Zack Snyder's Justice League, now streaming on HBO Max.
Zack Snyder's Justice League makes several changes to the film that viewers thought they knew. At around twice the theatrical version's run time, this ultimate edition of the movie contains more story and a lot more characters. These characters are all firm figures in the DC Universe, making their place in the film more than mere cameos.
One such character was Ryan Choi, who debuted in the comics in DCU: Brave New World in 2006. Created by Grant Morrison and Gail Simone, he was the third version of the superhero known as the Atom, albeit the second to wear the familiar red and blue, size-changing costume. Though his role in Zack Snyder's Justice League is small, it's clearly setting Ryan Choi up for a much more heroic role down the line. Here's why the DC Extended Universe's rather amorphous plans should go forward with this.
Ryan Choi, Director of Nanotechnology
The film introduces Ryan early on, making him the main scientist that works alongside Silas Stone at S.T.A.R. Labs. He's essential to Silas discovering the properties of the alien Mother Box, which culminates later in a central scene for Cyborg's father. His rank and specialty in the field of science aren't specified beforehand, but it becomes obvious later on. After Silas Stone's death, Ryan is left in charge of S.T.A.R. Labs in Silas' former role. This officially makes him the head of nanotechnology, a rather tongue-in-cheek nod to his comic book superhero identity.
Ryan Choi was meant to be in the theatrical version of the movie, but like many scenes found in Zack Snyder's Justice League, it was cut out entirely. Thankfully, these scenes are finally able to be viewed, with Choi even graciously writing doctor's notes to allow viewers the chance to do so. The character, played by Zheng Kai, is clearly set up to be a much bigger deal in potential sequels, and it's possible that this could involve him putting on a familiar red and blue costume.
The DCEU's Atom
Choi working in nanotechnology is an obvious reference to him being the Atom in the comics, but it also may have been a way to establish that same destiny in the DCEU. Though it's questionable how much, if anything from this version of the movie will be used in future films, Ryan Choi becoming the Atom should definitely see the light of day on the big screen. Many have criticized the DCEU in the past for the haphazard ways in which characters and movies are announced, but Choi's superhero turn would be an example of the much more organic worldbuilding used in other shared universes.
A film starring Ryan Choi as the Atom would also allow the DCEU to host a more diverse stable of heroes, once again doing it organically by using characters who actually are minorities. The character was even introduced in the comics in a similar manner, which was reflected in contemporaries such as Jason Rusch. It also helps that Ray Palmer, the more traditional version of the Atom, has been recently featured in several seasons of various Arrowverse TV shows. A version of Ryan Choi was also introduced in the Arrowverse during "Crisis on Infinite Earths", and many assumed that he would be replacing Palmer. Unfortunately, that didn't come to pass, and the character has remained untouched in that universe ever since. The void left by The CW leaves the perfect opportunity to use Ryan Choi in the movies, turning what was a cut cameo into a major, or rather, microscopic role.
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 arrives on HBO Max March 18.
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