At this point, we don't need to remind you about the whole "Snyderverse" saga. Going back a little further, though, and long before Justice League became a reality, Zack Snyder was busy putting a new spin on Superman in Man of Steel.
In the 2013 reboot, Clark Kent became a superhero quite a bit later than his comic book counterpart and defeated the villainous General Zod by snapping his neck. That came mere moments after their battle in Metropolis laid waste to the city and killed thousands.
The filmmaker picked up on that in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, sending a vengeful Caped Crusader on a mission to kill Earth's resident alien. Along the way, we also watched as Batman appeared to murder the criminals he crossed paths with.
Much of this is what's made Snyder such a divisive figure among comic book fans. Talking to The Hollywood Reporter, he explained why he approached these iconic DC characters in such an unconventional way.
"How could I look at Superman, Batman with a straight face and just say 'Here he is, enjoy,'" he says. "I love the characters, I’m not saying I wanted to break them or make them less than they are. But I’m also not going to hand them over like a piece of pure propaganda that said Superman is awesome or that Batman has an unbreakable moral code."
And, for many, therein lies the problem.
Someone who does remain a fan of Snyder's DC work is The Dark Knight Trilogy director Christopher Nolan. Asked by the trade what his favourite scene from one of Snyder's movies is, he said, "The moment in Man of Steel where Kevin Costner tells young Clark that whatever his origin, he’s still his son puts a lump in my throat every time. Zack is best known for his facility with iconic image-making, but his casting instincts are second to none."
Man of Steel was a modern retelling of Superman's origin story. The movie explores his journey from the alien planet Krypton to becoming Earth's saviour, delving into Superman's struggle with identity and acceptance by humanity.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, meanwhile, introduces Ben Affleck as Batman and explores the clash between Batman and Superman, both grappling with their place in a world that questions the necessity of such powerful beings. Lex Luthor manipulates events to pit them against each other, leading to an epic showdown, setting the stage for Justice League while exploring themes of power, accountability, and the consequences of heroism.
Do you think Snyder's approach to these two characters was the right one?