Four Years Later, These Are The Biggest Unresolved Plot Threads From ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE

Four Years Later, These Are The Biggest Unresolved Plot Threads From ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE

It's now been four years since Zack Snyder's Justice League premiered on HBO Max. With a sequel no closer to becoming a reality, we're taking a closer look at some of the biggest unresolved plot threads.

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Mar 18, 2025 12:03 PM EST
Filed Under: Justice League

On March 18, 2021, Zack Snyder's Justice League premiered on HBO Max. While it did little to sway the filmmaker's detractors, most DC fans seemed to agree that it was a huge improvement over Joss Whedon's 2017 theatrical cut. 

Warner Bros. allowed Snyder to add new scenes to the movie, many of which set the stage for his unmade sequels. Then, there were the teases already in there from back when he was essentially in charge of the DC Extended Universe. 

Four years later and over two years after DC Studios was formed to reboot the DCEU as the DCU, it's pretty obvious Snyder's Justice League sequels won't happen. It's hard to say why we've never got an animated or comic book follow-up, but in this feature, we're taking a closer look at the biggest unresolved plot threads and what, if anything, has been revealed about the filmmaker's intentions for them.

You can read our full breakdown by clicking on the "Next"/"View List" buttons below. 
 

10. Lois Lane's Pregnancy

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There were several hints throughout the movie that Lois Lane was pregnant with Superman's child, and that's since been confirmed as being the case by Snyder himself.

Needless to say, it's a big deal and likely something the filmmaker planned to explore in detail over the next two chapters in his Justice League trilogy. This revelation makes that shot of the Man of Steel cradling Lois' charred remains even more horrifying and better explains why the hero ultimately falls under the control of Darkseid. 

While we could make some predictions about where this pregnancy would ultimately lead, we know thanks to Snyder that Superman's powerless son would have one day become the new Batman.
 

9. Darkseid's Mission

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Steppenwolf is beaten by the League (badly!) as Darkseid watches on in the director's cut of Justice League, but now that he knows the Anti-Life Equation resides on Earth, nothing will stop him from trying to acquire it. 

As the movie ends, he decides to rally the forces of Apokolips for another full-scale invasion of Earth, so it's clear now this battle against Steppenwolf and his Parademons was the tip of the iceberg. Ultimately, it looks like Darkseid would have been victorious, hence the existence of that Knightmare timeline. 

However, there were quite a few nods to the Multiverse throughout the Snyder Cut, so we can't help but wonder if the filmmaker had ambitious plans to explore what that meant in his sequels as well.
 

8. Lex Luthor Reveals Batman's Identity

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The 2017 version of Lex Luthor's meeting with Deathstroke saw Warner Bros. tease the formation of the Injustice League (a group Snyder planned to utilise in one of his sequels). 

The original scene, however, was meant to lay the groundwork for Ben Affleck's The Batman. Looking for revenge after being locked up in Arkham Asylum, Lex tells Slade Wilson that Bruce Wayne is beneath the cowl. That certainly would have made Deathstroke's mission to take Batman out quite a bit more interesting and is something many fans were excited to see become a reality.

Affleck not only returned for Snyder's reshoots but also signed up to star in The Flash. Unfortunately, his time as the Dark Knight is well and truly over and we'll never get to see what he and Geoff Johns were cooking up.
 

7. Tapping Into The Speed Force

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Joss Whedon's Barry Allen was a comedy doofus who couldn't break into a run without tripping over his own feet. This version, however, is taken on a very different journey in Snyder's Justice League.

After tapping into the Speed Force to reverse time and save the League, the Scarlet Speedster is far more confident when he's running through Central City than when we first met him. It's also worth noting that he was clearly able to more effectively tap into his extraordinary abilities. Those included time-travel, a game-changer for any comic book universe. 

What Rick Famuyiwa had planned for this version of The Flash is unclear, but Andy Muschietti's delivered a weird mashup of tones from both versions of Justice League. The movie was a disappointment and didn't develop the hero's powers anywhere near as much as we'd have liked.  
 

6. Clark Kent Returns

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Clark Kent was reported to have died during Doomsday's attack, but it seems Kal-El has once again taken on that identity if the scene above is any indication. We saw this in 2017, of course, but the colour of the suit has changed as Snyder decided the Man of Steel would continue to wear the black costume. 

That's noteworthy, and Superman could be seen wearing that outfit while cradling Lois' charred remains. However, it appears falling under Darkseid's control is what leads to the red and blue suit's return.

What we don't know is how Clark was able to be resurrected without compromising his secret identity as Superman, though it has, of course, been revealed that Snyder planned to explore the hero's struggles with getting back in touch with his human side in those planned sequels. So, while this seems like a cool, throwaway moment, there was clearly still more story left to be told. 
 

5. Last Heroes Standing

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Cyborg's vision gives us an idea of what happens after Zack Snyder's Justice League, but the Knightmare scene right at the end of the movie also left fans with a long list of unanswered questions. 

Clearly, Batman needs The Joker's help to find something which will help send the Flash back in time to save Lois Lane and make things right, but it was Bruce's inaction that seemingly caused her demise (something The Joker points out with great delight in a standout scene) in the first place.

Deathstroke, Mera, and Cyborg are all on hand to help, but things go badly wrong when Superman arrives. It's unclear whether this takes place before or after Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice's Knightmare scene, but we can safely assume that not everyone makes it out of this confrontation alive. Unfortunately, it remains impossible to make sense of any of this without Snyder's sequels. 
 

4. Cyborg's Power Upgrade

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Cyborg's arc in Zack Snyder's Justice League is easily the most interesting, and while he loses his father, the hero does ultimately accept his new status quo and moves past his grief and anger.

The original plan was for Victor Stone to factor heavily into The Flash movie, something which didn't happen for a long list of reasons. He was also supposed to star in his own solo outing, but we can't imagine there's any sort of future for Ray Fisher's Cyborg in he DCU following his very public clashes with Warner Bros. brass. 

It's exciting to think about where this powered-up Cyborg could go next, and we've heard rumblings Snyder envisioned his story ending with Victor mastering his powers to the extent he could once again appear human.
 

3. Wonder Woman Returns Home

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Wonder Woman 1984 didn't resonate with a lot of fans and with Wonder Woman scrapped after the DCU reboot, we never did get a solo adventure set in the present day. Regardless, Snyder appeared to be teasing something different for his take on the character at the end of Justice League

As Wonder Woman looks out mournfully into the distance, it's clear she's thinking about Themyscira. We know from that glimpse into the future that she's ultimately reunited with her mother, albeit as Darkseid burns her body in front of her fellow Amazons.

Snyder once hoped to use Doctor Poison to wipe out Themyscira after Diana returned home, but it seems Darkseid kills her instead if this sequence - which was added along with the Knightmare scene - is any indication. The filmmaker made a lot of changes during reshoots so Wonder Woman's place in the sequels remains a tad confusing.
 

2. Hall Of Justice

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Bruce Wayne decided to convert Wayne Manor into the Hall of Justice in the theatrical cut as well, but it feels a little more meaningful here (especially as it shows Batman further stepping out of the shadows).

Thanks to a glimpse into the future, we know that the Dark Knight is ultimately successful in creating this base of operations for the team, but courtesy of the mind-controlled Superman, it seems that doesn't last long. He's shown at one point hovering over the remains of the Hall of Justice with a dead Kilowog at his feet and Batman's cowl in hand. It's a striking, memorable piece of imagery. 

Unfortunately, this is another glimpse into the future from a story Snyder is unlikely to ever tell. A full breakdown of his sequel plans contradicts much of what made it into this cut, though it's clear these teases were included in a bid to force Warner Bros.' hand. 
 

1. Martian Manhunter's Message

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Zack Snyder's plan was for this meeting to feature the John Stewart version of Green Lantern. However, due to plans for a since-scrapped Green Lantern TV series, Warner Bros. asked that he not use the cosmic Corpsman (which sucks, but makes sense, especially as it would have overshadowed whoever they planned to cast in the role at the time). 

Martian Manhunter isn't a bad substitute, though, and it's clear he was meant to help the League. That could go some way in making sure that desolate future doesn't come to pass, and the hero would likely be key in the battle against Darkseid.

It was a brief, albeit very interesting conversation between him and Batman. Plus, as Martian Manhunter didn't seemingly factor into Snyder's original plans, it would have been fascinating to see how a sequel made use of both him and perhaps non-human Green Lanterns.
 

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KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 3/18/2025, 12:11 PM
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Humperdink
Humperdink - 3/18/2025, 12:17 PM
@KennKathleen - Did they ever explain how Darkseid found the Anti-Life equation on earth and sent a full armada to retrieve it only to be beaten SO badly...he just forgot where he went?

No maps or data in those ships, it was just a random path found y chance that no one recorded with all that advanced technology?

I'll admit that I liked a LOT more of the Snyder Cut than I expected, definitely better than Whedon's version, but some of it was still a bit off and had all the classic Snyder "style over substance and sense."
RegularPoochie
RegularPoochie - 3/18/2025, 12:16 PM
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KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 3/18/2025, 12:25 PM
@RegularPoochie -

@Humperdink -

My posted gif has a two-fold meaning, more alinged with "Pooch". While the film is a waste of opportunity, this article is a waste of time.

It may be a cool idea to see the Snyderverse continue into comics. It won't have the bile of Hollywood 🐃🎯 to hold it back. It could also fit into an Elseworld or inevitable Crisis storyline...

🪙🪙

Skestra
Skestra - 3/18/2025, 1:09 PM
@RegularPoochie - Josh's obsession has reached the point of necrophilia.
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 3/18/2025, 4:14 PM
@Skestra - User Comment Image

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DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 3/18/2025, 12:18 PM
The only thing that upsets me a bit is we never got to see Batman vs Deathstroke. That would've been so cool to watch. Batman being evenly matched and having his identity revealed would make for some compelling storytelling.

Also I was looking forward to Affleck's direction. He would've done the character justice in front of and behind the camera. Not a lot of cameos, not a bunch of fantastical elements. Just Bruce using his brains figuring out how to keep his secret and taking down one of his toughest foes.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 3/18/2025, 12:19 PM
Yeah, alot of material was wasted, especially Martian Manhunter.
BuzzKillington
BuzzKillington - 3/18/2025, 12:23 PM

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RolandD
RolandD - 3/18/2025, 12:27 PM
“With a sequel no closer to becoming a reality.” Um, I don’t think that there ever will be a sequel. If it ever happens it’ll probably be in comic book form.
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 3/18/2025, 12:29 PM
God....This movie will never die huh?...
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 3/18/2025, 1:10 PM
@BlackStar25 - the DCEU as a whole will never die in the mind of Josh. He’s pulverized the horse into dust at this point and he still can’t stop beating it.
BraveNewClunge
BraveNewClunge - 3/18/2025, 12:39 PM
I will never Forgive WB for the bs they pulled.

If they continue to fail, it would be only what they deserve!

🤣😅
bobevanz
bobevanz - 3/18/2025, 12:41 PM
He was the wrong choice since day one. Hindsight proves that
Goldboink
Goldboink - 3/18/2025, 1:15 PM
@bobevanz -
And the big question is why anyone cares at this point
FinnishDude
FinnishDude - 3/18/2025, 12:43 PM
Snyder asking extra money to finish already filmed effect shots was fine. Him asking extra money new sequel-hook scenes, which weren't in the original script, in an obvious attempt to fuel his fanbase to keep hastags alive and demand more, was lame.
RedFury
RedFury - 3/18/2025, 12:45 PM
I enjoyed Snyder's cut far more than Whedon's like most of us did. But man... A lot of the stuff he filmed and decided not to cut was pretty bad. The film would go from well constructed scenes with great dialogue, and direction - to these other scenes that felt like they were made by a mega fan of Snyder's instead of it actually being him.

The Martha as Martian Manhunter scene made absolutely no sense, and neither did Manhunters conversation with Bruce. The Knightmare scenes actually felt like fan-fiction, and the long dragged on establishing shots really killed some of the pacing. And don't get me started on how long that scene with the singing Icelandic folks was lol.

Now I'm no Snyder hater because I truly do enjoy a lot of his work. I just feel the guy absolutely needs someone to reign him in; Rebel Moon is a perfect example of this. The concept, and ideas are pretty cool - but a lot of it is really painfully put together. He's starting to remind me of the guy who directed the Resident Evil movies. The further along he gets into his career, the more he leans into the bad choices he makes as a filmmaker.
ToldYaSo
ToldYaSo - 3/18/2025, 2:39 PM
@RedFury - Agree on all counts, sir. very succinct.
RedFury
RedFury - 3/18/2025, 4:06 PM
@ToldYaSo - I appreciate that. Glad to see my ramblings make sense to someone other than myself lol. Cheers!
BruceWayng
BruceWayng - 3/18/2025, 12:46 PM
I was really looking forward to this scene with Batman and Lois…

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DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 3/18/2025, 5:45 PM
@BruceWayng - "I'm gonna shoot" I remember laughing so hard at that scene. To the point where I'd be at work and it'll pop up in my head and I'd laugh hysterically. I'm sure people thought I was nuts.
BruceWayng
BruceWayng - 3/18/2025, 8:39 PM
@DarthOmega - Haha I know right. That scene and this one always make me laugh whenever I think of them.

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Moriakum
Moriakum - 3/18/2025, 12:52 PM
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BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 3/18/2025, 1:15 PM
@Moriakum - Thats the scene they broke out in song too! LOL!

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Steel86
Steel86 - 3/18/2025, 1:02 PM
To 10: Wasn't it rumored that Batman and Lois hooked up and it was his son?
To 9: This is why the new gods should've been the baddies for the first JL film for Synder, in reality Doomsday should've been to tell the Death of Superman story properly and not copy the Avengers. But with the Darkseid invasion looming the films would've been very similar

And to 6: This is one the reasons why I say Perry had to know Clark was Superman. He just returns from Death in JL and in MOS no way a person with zero experience gets welcomed on the main floor of the biggest news paper company in the world.
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 3/18/2025, 1:03 PM
Did it really take 5 years for you to come up with these questions??

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Forthas
Forthas - 3/18/2025, 1:04 PM
A reminder of how poorly planned the Snyder-verse was...

Say YES to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) ... say NO to Stupidity, Extremism, and Ignorance (SEI) and Childish Reactionary Tantrums (CRT).
BuzzKillington
BuzzKillington - 3/18/2025, 1:08 PM
F*cked up the first ever Justice League movie.
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AC1
AC1 - 3/18/2025, 1:09 PM
Bruce turning Wayne Manor into the Hall of Justice felt so dumb and forced. Bye bye secret identity!

Martian Manhunter never should've been added to the movie; he added literally nothing to the plot, actively ruined what was originally a really touching scene between Martha and Lois, and it also undermines the General character from MoS and BvS by revealing he was actually Martian Manhunter the whole time and did Sweet F-A when the Kryptonians were destroying Metropolis killing thousands AND also when Doomsday was straight up murdering Superman.

The black suit being Superman's new default costume and the red and blue only returning in the Knightmare reality under Darkseid's control was also such a weird choice. Like, he even made a point of showing the red and blue suit was available when Clark went back to the scout ship but he chose the black one. Fair enough if black was the only thing available, but that last shot of him ripping his shirt open as Clark Kent should've shown that in the time between the final battle with Steppenwolf and his return to Metropolis he'd either fixed the red and blue suit or somehow acquired a new one... You know, because he spent the whole movie telling us Superman was meant to inspire hope.

And the Knightmare dream sequence tacked on at the end should've been a post-credit scene instead to tease the future, not as a weird ending to the main story, and the framework of Bruce waking up and talking to Martian Manhunter afterwards should've been cut altogether.

And while I'm at it, cut the creepy chick singing while sniffing Jason Momoa's jumper. Don't get me wrong, we've all thought about doing it, I don't blame her, but we didn't need to see it on screen.

And [frick] the 4:3 ratio. "Taller" my ass.

Other than that and anything else I'm forgetting, much better than the Whedon cut.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 3/18/2025, 3:20 PM
@AC1 - I agree with every single other word but the last six.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 3/18/2025, 3:21 PM
They're both bad films but Whedon's cut is more tolerable.
99OPTIMISTPRIME
99OPTIMISTPRIME - 3/18/2025, 1:10 PM
Clark should've heard the baby's heartbeat, once he and Lois got to the farm. Weird oversight, by Snyder.
VincentValjean
VincentValjean - 3/18/2025, 1:40 PM
@99OPTIMISTPRIME - He supposedly heard it when Lois appeared right after his resurrection. That's why he stopped attacking Batman and took of with Lois.
S8R8M
S8R8M - 3/18/2025, 1:11 PM
I think it's time to let go.
Radders
Radders - 3/18/2025, 1:34 PM
The Snyder cut was an ego induced overblown, self indulgent, masturbatory fantasy by Snyder.

It had some nice bits but didn't really hold together, the slow mo was tedious, but even without that the set ups were too slow. Is it better than the Josstice League...well I thought there were a lot of elements of that movie that worked better but the end battle was better in the Snyder cut, if you ignore murderous superheroes and time travel, which means there are no longer any stakes.

Not to mention them all standing on top of the base letting Batman climb up on his own
CaptainAwkward
CaptainAwkward - 3/18/2025, 2:30 PM
@Radders - you must be fun at parties.
TheVandalore
TheVandalore - 3/18/2025, 1:46 PM
There have been a lot of horrible comic book misses lately especially, but honestly I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and the final straw for me was realizing they ACTUALLY convinced Keaton to come back as Batman and put on the suit and everything.... And instead of finally getting out dream Batman Beyond movie we've all been begging for literally for decades, we got the Flash.... Right there... That was the moment I was done.

Honestly, that was just the final straw, but since then I haven't really been invested in anything DC related. And absolutely NOTHING Gunn has shown me makes me believe they have any clue what they are doing.
TheVandalore
TheVandalore - 3/18/2025, 1:48 PM
Since I realized I live in the reality where we never get the Keaton Batman Beyond movie but we got The Flash, I realized we live in a universe of eternal punishment, and now all the worlds events make sense.
CaptainAwkward
CaptainAwkward - 3/18/2025, 2:34 PM
I really liked the DCUE, Synder’s take on Superman, Batman WW, Aquaman etc. I really like the synder cut but it’s time to move on. Shame we never got to see Joseph Michael Manganiello as Deathstroke in his full glory, I actually liked Jessie Essienberg as Luthor, wanted to see more on that. Hey ho.
LibraMatter
LibraMatter - 3/18/2025, 3:51 PM
If Zack’s original plan fully played out(minus the Batman, Superman and Lois love triangle) it would have been pretty awesome. IMO. There was a whole plan and people just judged it (understandably) by what was released. They were puzzle pieces to a full puzzle. The pay off would have been at the end when you have all the movies released and you have the characters in somewhat familiar places. Being the hero’s we loved growing up.

Everyone wanted Superman to be established(like we’ve seen a bunch of times in film and animation) and not going through a journey to become who we know as Superman. Batman was in the middle of greiving for Robin. He was in a bad place but Superman was there to show him the light . Idk, I really was excited to see it all pan out.

Hopefully Gunn gives people what they want and it is good. I really did like Zack’s Trinity and the movies surrounding them.
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