Zack Snyder Ignites DC Firestorm with 'Justice League' Sequel Blueprints
Zack Snyder Ignites DC Firestorm with 'Justice League' Sequel Blueprints
In what industry insiders are calling a masterclass in digital "guerrilla marketing," Zack Snyder has once again upended the superhero landscape. Just days after the successful launch of James Gunn's Superman (2025), Snyder has flooded social media with never-before-seen storyboards and high-fidelity photos detailing his abandoned plans for Justice League 2 and Justice League 3.
The move, paired with a viral Instagram campaign captioned “2016 it’s a lot to take in,” has reignited a fierce civil war within the DC fandom and sparked speculation that the director is making a calculated play to reclaim his "SnyderVerse" under a potential new studio banner.
The "Knightmare" Detailed
The newly released storyboards, illustrated by DC legend Jim Lee, provide the clearest look yet at the grim, "Lord of the Rings-style" epic Snyder intended to film. The details are as ambitious as they are controversial:
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The Fall of Lex Luthor: A shocking panel depicts a corrupted, "Anti-Life" Superman executing Lex Luthor by burning him alive with heat vision—a merciless end to the villain's manipulation.
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The Knightmare Army: New images show a post-apocalyptic Batman leading a "ragtag army" including a battered Flash and a heavily damaged Cyborg through the ruins of Gotham.
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The Final Stand: Snyder shared blueprints for a massive third-act war featuring the united forces of the Amazons, Atlanteans, and the world’s militaries led by a redeemed Superman against Darkseid’s full-scale invasion.
A Calculated Tactic?
The timing of these releases has not gone unnoticed. Hollywood analysts suggest Snyder’s "nostalgia blitz"—which included a rare photo of Henry Cavill in the original Christopher Reeve suit—is designed to maintain his market value amid rumors of a Warner Bros. Discovery sale.
With reports suggesting Netflix is a frontrunner to acquire WBD assets, the hashtag #SellSnyderVerseToNetflix has surged back into the global top trends. By showing a fully mapped-out, three-film mythology that is "ready to go," Snyder is effectively presenting a turnkey franchise to potential new owners.
The Cast Joins the Fray
Adding fuel to the fire, the original "Justice League" cast members have begun leaning into the trend. Gal Gadot shared a series of throwback videos from the 2016 Batman v Superman press tour with the caption "2026 is the new 2016," while Joe Manganiello (Deathstroke) reportedly shared posts supporting the sale of the IP to a streaming giant.
The Gunn Response
While James Gunn and Peter Safran remain focused on their new DCU slate including the upcoming Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2026), the persistent "Snyder-noise" presents a unique challenge. While Gunn has previously stated that the "SnyderVerse" chapter is closed, the sheer volume of engagement on Snyder’s posts suggests that a massive portion of the audience is unwilling to move on.
As Snyder concludes his photo dump with a haunting shot of Ben Affleck’s Batman looking into a desolate sky, the message to the industry is clear: the King of the SnyderVerse isn't just looking back; he’s looking for a way back in.
