I have an update on the return of the SnyderVerse, and what I’m hearing from my insiders.
Before getting into it, here’s the current situation: Variety reported that the Saudis are teaming with Paramount for a full WBD takeover. Shortly after, Paramount publicly denied the report. So no matter how this turns out, the bottom line stays the same — the Saudis want Zack Snyder back, and they want the SnyderVerse restored.
If the Saudis back Paramount and win, Snyder wins. If they back Comcast and win, Snyder still wins. Either way, Snyder comes out ahead.
As I tweeted, the wild card is President Donald Trump, who has been reported to be backing Skydance–Paramount. While Trump is said to dislike Comcast’s CEO, my insiders point out that Comcast positioned itself for a WBD bid by creating a separate company to dump the networks Trump hates. So that issue may not stop anything.
My insiders told me Zack knows exactly what is going on with Trump, and that’s why Zack posted that Henry Cavill Superman image on Veteran’s Day. Update: The White House just announced a massive deal worth $600M with the Saudis after a meeting with Trump.
Actors Expected to Return
If the SnyderVerse truly comes back, that means the actors return to their roles.
I’m told Henry Cavill is back as Superman. Gal Gadot is back as Wonder Woman. Jason Momoa will be back as Aquaman. Ray Fisher will be back as Cyborg.
Ezra Miller as The Flash? I’m told “doubtful.”
The Ben Affleck Question
The biggest unknown is Ben Affleck.
If you’ve followed the last decade of drama, you know he’s been burned multiple times, including being cut from the real ending of The Flash.
My insiders say Affleck “possibly” returns as Batman but warn “it’s a lot of work physically.”
Snyder’s Plan and What Comes After
I’m told the plan is for Snyder to finish his SnyderVerse. I’m told the Saudi WBD deal has been in the works for some time. It’s also the reason Zaslav passed on Paramount’s earlier bids three times.
Zack is close with the Saudis, and they want his storyline back to rival Marvel and the upcoming Avengers films. Sounds like they’re aiming straight at Disney.
After Snyder completes his arc, I’m told DC will reboot again — likely under Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, the current heads of Warner Bros. Pictures.
The fate of the DCU and James Gunn
Regarding James Gunn and the DCU, I’m told that if Paramount and the Saudis are indeed teaming up, James Gunn’s DCU is toast and Gunn will be forced out due to Gunn’s divisive politics (Gunn, the head of DC Studios, posted and said nothing on Veterans Day).
I’ve also been told that Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow is just the original plans for Man of Steel 2 with Brainiac.
I have been told that if Comcast (Universal) ends up buying WBD, there’s a real chance Gunn could actually team with Zack Snyder for the SnyderVerse return.
My insiders say one idea being floated is Gunn writing the Justice League 2 script — with Chris Terrio already having a treatment — and Snyder directing.
It would be a “full circle” moment, since Gunn and Snyder both got their starts at Universal with Dawn of the Dead.
