After years of campaigning, fans are now getting their chance to see the Snyder Cut with the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, bringing the director’s original vision to the screen.
The new four-hour-long cut will restore storylines that were cut by director Joss Whedon and studio Warner Bros. for the 2017 theatrical version, meaning that a whole host of new characters will feature, many of which have already been confirmed by Snyder himself.
We do expect a few surprise cameos though given that Snyder will surely be keeping some of his cards close to his chest. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect.
Martian Manhunter
Warner Bros. Pictures
Snyder has long confirmed that it was his intention with the original Justice League film that Martian Manhunter would appear, adding that the plan was that General Calvin Swanwick (played by Harry Lennix), whom we first met in Man Of Steel, would be revealed to be the superhero in disguise.
So we will have that moment in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, although we don’t know what role Martian Manhunter will then play in the movie after he has revealed his identity.
In the comics he is a key part of the Justice League being a founding member, so maybe the General helps bring the gang together, also aiding in the final fight.
Iris West
Warner Bros. Pictures
One cast member whose scenes for the original Justice League ended up on the cutting room floor is Kiersey Clemons, who plays Iris West, the love interest of Barry Allen (The Flash).
It is understood the cameo she filmed will feature in Snyder’s cut and is expected to serve as a brief introduction to the character, as she will play a larger role in the upcoming Flash solo movie.
Ryan Choi (The Atom)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Another character who saw their scenes cut for the original theatrical release is Ryan Choi (played by Zheng Kai), whose role was reduced to a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment.
Snyder has confirmed Choi served as the Director Of Nanotechnology at the S.T.A.R.S. lab where he worked alongside Cyborg’s father, Silas Stone. Therefore when Cyborg’s backstory was mostly cut, so was Choi’s role in the movie, which will now be seen in this new release.
Although we don’t know what to expect, it is likely we will see Choi become The Atom which is his superhero identity in the comics. It’s likely to be a brief moment though as Snyder probably had more plans for The Atom with his intended sequels.
Elinore Stone
Warner Bros. Pictures
Due to Cyborg’s part being cut down in the 2017 version, Karen Bryson saw her role as his mother Elinore Stone be removed entirely.
In the trailer for the new release though we see Elinore cheering in the crowd as she watches her son play American football so she will feature, something Snyder has also confirmed.
Elinore’s role is likely to be small but pivotal given that she lost her life in the same accident that nearly claimed Victor’s, and led to him becoming Cyborg.
Darkseid
Warner Bros. Pictures
The biggest addition to the cast is Darkseid, the villain who was originally intended to be the big bad of the entire DCEU franchise, as teased heavily in Batman v Superman.
With the exception of a brief reference in some dialogue, Darkseid was completely cut out of the theatrical version which saw fellow villain Steppenwolf promoted.
Steppenwolf will still be an antagonist in Snyder’s cut but it is likely when he is defeated our heroes will then have to take on Darkseid, who will be voiced by Ray Porter. In the comics the character is hellbent on conquering the universe so he will be quite the foe.
Given Darkseid was intended to be the baddie in the sequels Snyder had planned, it will be interesting to see how much of a prominent role he will now play in the new cut given that his story will now no longer be continued.
The Joker
Warner Bros. Pictures
It was pretty big news when Snyder revealed that Jared Leto will reprise his role of The Joker, as seen in Suicide Squad, in this new version of Justice League.
Although he wasn’t a part of the director’s original vision The Joker has been brought into the story meaning we get to see Ben Affleck’s Batman interact with him.
Knowing that this is the last DC film he is making, Snyder wanted to ensure that he gave fans this moment hence he brought Leto onboard.
Granny Goodness
DC Comics
Yes you did read that right, a character by the name of Granny Goodness will feature in Zack Snyder’s Justice League as confirmed by the man himself.
We don’t know what role she will play in the story though, especially given her long and complicated history in the comics, but there’s a good chance Granny Goodness has been training soldiers for Darkseid, maybe as a part of the alternative apocalyptic future scenes known as the Knightmare sequence.
Deathstroke
Warner Bros. Pictures
During a post-credits scene for the 2017 theatrical version Joe Mangniello appeared as Deathstroke (a.k.a. Slade Wilson), a villain known in the comics as being one of the world’s deadliest assassins.
Filming additional footage for the new release Deathstroke will therefore appear in more scenes, however except these appearances to be brief given that Snyder has previously said that the reshoots in total add up to about four to five minutes.
We also know he will pop up in the Knightmare scenes thanks to teases Mangniello has shared on social media.
Green Lanterns
DC Comics
Whilst it hasn’t been confirmed by Snyder or anyone that Green Lanterns will feature in this story, enough hints have been dropped to have us convinced that they will.
In the 2017 edit we got a brief glimpse of an older Green Lantern in a flashback scene, a shot Snyder has confirmed to be his with the director also teasing that another one was also intended to be part of his original vision.
We therefore expect two Green Lanterns to show up then in Zack Snyder’s Justice League thanks to the many hints dropped, although their identities have been hotly debated.
Given that an anonymous VFX artist has said that the original plan was for Kilowog and Tomar-Re to show up in a post-credits scene, there’s a very good chance these are the Green Lanterns who will appear.
Other Surprise Cameos
Warner Bros. Pictures
Given that the film is four hours long and much of it is shrouded in secrecy, there could be more new characters and cameos we don’t know about.
Especially since we have been promised ” a hero cameo that will blow hard-core fans’ minds” during the climatic scenes, with it being hinted that this character’s identity is not one we already know about it.
I suppose we will just have to watch it to find out!
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is out now on Now TV and Sky Cinema.
