JUSTICE LEAGUE: Zack Snyder Didn't Want Henry Cavill's Superman Legacy To Be CGI Mustache Removal

JUSTICE LEAGUE: Zack Snyder Didn't Want Henry Cavill's Superman Legacy To Be CGI Mustache Removal

Asked about Henry Cavill's Mission: Impossible mustache being removed with CGI in the theatrical cut of Justice League, Zack Snyder reveals why it was important that the actor wasn't remembered as a meme.

By JoshWilding - Mar 22, 2021 01:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Justice League
Source: MTV News

While 2017's Justice League wasn't a complete disaster, it will probably be best remembered for Henry Cavill's CGI mouth. Warner Bros. and Joss Whedon chose to reshoot almost all of Superman's scenes, and because the actor was in the midst of filming Mission: Impossible - Fallout, VFX was used to remove his mustache. 

The results were disastrous, and poor Cavill became something of a laughingstock online thanks to how ridiculous his usually very handsome face looked. 

Zack Snyder has said on multiple occasions that he's never watched the theatrical cut. However, when MTV News put it to the filmmaker that he must have surely seen Cavill's face in that version of Justice League, he admitted, "I've only seen it in memes."

Snyder didn't dwell on that point for long, though, explaining why he was glad to make amends for that with his cut.

"It was funny because part of me is happy that we were able to have that not be the total legacy of the hard work that he had done over the last ten years, you know? It's sad to think that that could have been the last view that people had of Superman was with that, whatever that is."

Given what a popular Superman Cavill has always been, it is a relief that he won't be remembered solely for the awful job that was done removing his facial hair back in 2017. The Man of Steel had a relatively small role in Zack Snyder's Justice League, but was definitely utilized better than he was in the theatrical cut. 

Check out our review of the Snyder Cut of Justice League by clicking here.


Click on the "Next" button below to check out some of the
best new moments included in Zack Snyder's Justice League!

10. Superman Returns

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After reuniting with Lois and Martha at the farm, Clark points out he was brought back for a reason and has no choice but to once again become Superman. 

Heading to the Kryptonian ship in the middle of Metropolis, Kal-El dons his black costume and hears the voices of both his fathers before taking flight. With that, Hans Zimmer's Superman score kicks in for a throwback to Man of Steel which is a real "stand up and punch the air" moment. 

Charging himself in front of the sun, Superman stretches out his arms in an almost Biblical moment. 

This is peak Snyder, and perhaps not a scene which will resonate with everyone. However, it's a striking piece of imagery, and one which plays into the mythological side of the character.
 

9. Don't F*** With Wonder Woman

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Wonder Woman 1984's depiction of Diana Prince wasn't to everyone's liking, particularly as her sword and shield were sidelined for...a gentler Diana? 

While the Wonder Woman we saw in Justice League's theatrical cut was fine, this version is a badass, fearsome warrior who takes no prisoners. Her fight with Steppenwolf is a highlight, while the way she deals with him during the final battle will definitely stick the landing with many of you.

However, it's the way Diana deals with those crazies taking hostages early on in the film we loved. 

Brutally dispatching them one by one, Wonder Woman proves herself a true force to be reckoned with, and earns that awesome Hans Zimmer score we first heard in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
 

8. Darkseid's Defeat

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The Snyder Cut's version of the war between Apokolips and the combined might of men, Amazons, Atlanteans (and more) is vastly different in this cut of Justice League. 

Gods like Ares and Zeus see a little more action, as does Yalan Gur. There's also no sign of Steppenwolf; instead, Uxas's humiliating defeat is entirely his own doing. The entire sequence is far more-action packed and feels much grander and mythological in terms of scale. 

Honestly, we'd have been happy to see an even longer version of this. 

It's a standout sequence in the film, and one which better explains Darkseid's present day motivations. It never made sense to have Steppenwolf leading the attack, and this film makes that right.
 

7. Barry Allen Rescues Iris West

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Warner Bros. completely cut Kiersey Clemons from 2017's Justice League, so her scene in this film being restored is undoubtedly one of the best things to come out of the Snyder Cut.

Iris West and Barry Allen strike up an immediate attraction when their paths cross, and the Flash noticing what's about to happen to her in that car wreck is a great way to show off the Scarlet Speedster's powers. So too is the way he races into action to save Iris. 

As time pretty much comes to a stop around him, Flash nabs a hot dog, and manages to carry Iris to safety. 

This was clearly meant to lay the groundwork for Rick Famuyiwa's planned take on The Flash, but that film didn't happen, so who knows what the fallout from this moment was meant to be. 
 

6. "His Name Is Bruce Wayne"

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Joss Whedon reshot Jesse Eisenberg's side of Lex Luthor's conversation with Deathstroke, and that scene ended up setting the stage for a possible sequel which would have pitted the Justice League against "a League of [their] own."

Well, that's all gone in the Snyder Cut. 

Instead, this scene (which is no longer a post-credits stinger) does exactly what we expected it to do back in 2017: set the stage for The Batman. That film was meant to pit the Dark Knight against Slade Wilson, and to help the assassin get his revenge for that lost eye, Lex reveals that, "His name is Bruce Wayne."

It's a phenomenal tease, but not one we're likely to see pay off now. 
 

5. Into The Speed Force

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The entire final battle in Zack Snyder's Justice League is absolutely epic. There are plenty of highlights, including the heroes actually working as a team and Superman giving Steppenwolf a beating. 

However, when the team's plan fails and the Mother Boxes unite, they're all evaporated. 

Barry, injured by one of the Parademons, is left with no other choice than to run faster than he ever has before. Tapping into the Speed Force, the Fastest Man Alive travels back in time, and manages to undo the team's defeat at Darkseid and Steppenwolf's hands. 

The visuals are incredible here, and while the Speed Force looks a little different to what you might expect, it's a damn shame Snyder couldn't pass the baton to Famuyiwa as planned.
 

4. Cyborg's Powers

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Cyborg was anything but a highlight in 2017's Justice League, but Ray Fisher's second chance is truly a sight to behold in the Snyder Cut. 

The actor delivers a really solid performance, but it's one scene demonstrating the extent of his powers which should make fans of Victor Stone really happy. Listening to a recording his father has left him, Cyborg comes to understand what he could do if he were to put his mind to it. 

That includes unleashing the world's nuclear arsenal or destroying the economy. His father isn't encouraging the reluctant hero to do that; just warning what might happen if he made that choice. 

Instead, Cyborg decides to help a woman down on her luck. Transferring money into her bank account so she can pay her bills, it's a small gesture, but one which is perfectly realized. 
 

3. Superman Vs. Flash

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When Superman is resurrected, he again doesn't have his full senses. That leads to a fight with the Justice League, but there are some noteworthy differences which make this version so much better. 

A lot of the terrible dialogue between Superman and Batman (clearly a Whedon idea) has gone, and the Man of Steel attacking the Caped Crusader makes much more sense now. However, an extended fight between Kal-El and Barry Allen is what really stands out to us. 

Instead of tripping over like a goof, the Flash gets to test his powers against the might of Superman. 

It shows that Barry can go toe-to-toe with Clark without a silly race, but also emphasises just how much of a powerhouse Superman is that he can very nearly match Flash's speed. 
 

2. "I Will F***ing Kill You"

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The Knightmare scene has its good and bad points. In regards to the latter, we really didn't need to hear any more of Amber Heard's weird English accent as Mera. 

Deathstroke, unfortunately, is also something of a spare part. 

However, Batman's confrontation with The Joker doesn't disappoint. The hatred on the Dark Knight's face as he finds himself forced to work with the Clown Price of Crime is palpable, and his recollection of Harley Quinn dying in his arms and begging Batman to make sure he kills Joker is gripping.

So too is the line which sees the Caped Crusader vow "I will f***ing kill you" before being forced to accept that playing card (which signifies a truce). 
 

1. The Fall Of The League

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When Cyborg taps into the Mother Boxes, he has a devastating vision of the future. 

In that, we see Darkseid forcing the Amazons to watch as he burns Wonder Woman. In Atlantis, he uses the Omega Beam to kill an Atlantean after skewering Aquaman on his own trident. In the Batcave, we see Superman cradling the charred remains of Lois Lane before Darkseid steps forward to put the hero under his control with the Anti-Life Equation.

In the Knightmare future, Superman is seen floating atop the remains of the Hall of Justice with Batman's cowl in hand as Kilowog lies dead at his feet. 

One cool part after this scene comes when Cyborg says "no" in a bid to stop Barry from using his powers to help bring Superman back, something the Flash mistakes as his signal to "go." Clearly, Victor Stone realizes the ramifications which could come with bringing the Man of Steel back from the dead...
 

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Se4M4NSt4ine
Se4M4NSt4ine - 3/22/2021, 1:51 AM
You can tell Snyder really cares about his cast, and that they care about him too.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 3/22/2021, 2:05 AM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - I may not like most of his characters, but I do like him very much for that. Seems like a genuine nice guy
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/22/2021, 2:06 AM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - I do feel like Snyder is way too lax with his cast, though. Amber Heard came up to him and said "I'm going to do Mera's accent like I'm Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins, alright?" and Snyder just gave her the thumbs up.

Being a director is sort of like being a parent. You can be friendly and you need to be supportive, but you also need to lay down the law sometimes and protect your kids/performers from making mistakes. Jenkins gets good performances out of Gadot (I assume) because she pushes her, does more takes, or helps her prepare. Snyder just does not get very good line readings from Gadot.

You're right about the personal commitment and I get how that fosters loyalty.
Se4M4NSt4ine
Se4M4NSt4ine - 3/22/2021, 2:22 AM
@Spock0Clock - was it confirmed Heard’s English accent was added before or after Aquaman?

I was always under the impression it was Snyder’s idea to add that horrible accent originally, hence why he brought it back for the additional scenes he filmed?
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/22/2021, 2:25 AM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - I have no idea, and I haven't seen anyone else mention it. Whoever thought it was a good idea should immediately be fired from ever working in movies, though, because it was truly atrocious.
Se4M4NSt4ine
Se4M4NSt4ine - 3/22/2021, 2:27 AM
@Spock0Clock - I can see why Wan opted to leave it out of his movie!
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/22/2021, 2:28 AM
I should be clear, I was just assuming Heard's accent was something Snyder let slide and he absolutely shouldn't have. But if he was the one pushing for it, then that's a different kind of irresponsible on his part. I can just imagine him not noticing or caring how bad it is when part of his job is to protect his actors from embarrassing themselves like that.
Himura
Himura - 3/22/2021, 2:47 AM
@Spock0Clock - But filmmaking is a collaborative effort. There are plenty of times where actors point out to directors that their character might act a certain way that the director would have never noticed before.

Actors arent only there just to read lines and move around like puppets. They are all creatives and can contribute a lot to the process.
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/22/2021, 3:06 AM
@Himura - I didn't say actors are only there to read lines. In franchises like this you absolutely need to have actors who take a big ownership in their roles (so they can maintain consistency across different writers and directors).

But actors aren't there to write and direct themselves, either. Some actors need more guidance, some need less. Some struggle to understand what their part is in the larger picture or what it is they're supposed to be reacting to on a blue screen set. Good directors will give actors freedom to explore and take ownership when they can, but they also give guidance and demand narrower focus when they have to. Each performer and project may require a different approach to get the best out of them.
Kumkani
Kumkani - 3/22/2021, 1:52 AM
I mean who would? That shit was embarrassing. Honestly starting to think WB was just taking the piss for no reason.
RageDriver2401
RageDriver2401 - 3/22/2021, 1:53 AM
Pictured: The last time Henry Cavill's Superman was treated with any sort of respect.
BroskiTroski
BroskiTroski - 3/22/2021, 1:57 AM
The shitty mustache removal CGI was the only time Henry Cavill’s Superman made me smile while onscreen, so it makes sense Snyder would wanna remove it. Heyoooo!
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 3/22/2021, 2:04 AM
After having seen ZSJL, I don't even get why they needed to reshoot scenes with Cavill. All his scenes worked fine in the context of the movie in my opinion.

And his CGI face didn't have to be his legacy, if WB just decides to move forward with a new Superman movie with him already
Qrboy
Qrboy - 3/22/2021, 2:13 AM
@bkmeijer - Which ones out of the reshoots were necessary?
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/22/2021, 2:17 AM
@bkmeijer - Whedon came in with a ton of notes from test screenings and reactions to Batman vs. Superman, I'm sure, and among them was surely "make Superman likable".

And Snyder's Superman Justice League material basically boiled down to a meaningless fight versus the rest of the League (which I get, on paper, it's a fun comic booky moment, but it just reinforced Asshole Superman), him mercilessly pummeling Steppenwolf, and yet another scene of him having zero chemistry with Amy Adams.

It's legitimate to say that they should have left it alone rather than add new scenes, but Snyder didn't leave Whedon with any material that repaired the damage his last movie did to Superman (or Batman for that matter). They just exist in this movie because they have to, but they largely fade into the background.
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/22/2021, 2:23 AM
@Qrboy - The opening cellphone video is awkwardly done, but a very smart concept. In the Snyder Cut, the only direct reminder you give the audience that Superman existed was his weird CG death screams across the opening credits. When Whedon cut that (for time and silliness, I'm guessing), he absolutely needed a marker in the first act so that Superman doesn't come out of nowhere in the last hour.

That video and the montage after set up what a world with Superman and without him are like. It's effective (as rushed as it is).
RageDriver2401
RageDriver2401 - 3/22/2021, 2:31 AM
@Spock0Clock - agreed, a lot of the reshoot material seems like remedial stuff that was duct taped based on test screenings. And dare I say, SOME of it even works. That Batman vs. Parademon intro, as corny as it comes off does a pretty decent job at cutting down a good chunk of exposition fat, the Superman-Flash race was a nice bit of fan service, and not having Luthor reveal Batman's identity to Deathstroke avoids painting the writers of the next Batman film into a corner.
JFerguson
JFerguson - 3/22/2021, 2:32 AM
@Spock0Clock - I agree with the motivation behind the cellphone video. Superman had literally died in the last movie and there was no motivation for the audience to care at all. It was unwarranted and didn't complete any pre-established character arc in BvS.

So showing that cell phone intro at least got me to have some sympathy for reviving the guy.
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/22/2021, 2:39 AM
@RageDriver2401 - If we're making a list of good reshoots, I want to add the Flash drawing on the dude's face in the prison.

That was a Whedon gag that I think 100% fit inside the bounds of what Snyder was going for (maybe minus the last line).



It's weird to devote that much time to a single joke when Whedon was trying to cut the movie down to two hours, but if we're operating on a "best possible cut regardless of length", then I would have definitely kept this in. It's the only time I thought Barry was funny in either cut.
GwenLantern
GwenLantern - 3/22/2021, 2:47 AM
@bkmeijer - I would assume that large chunks of the movie had yet to be shot and that the movie would have made no sense without them.

Zack's original vision was probably much more ambitious than what we got in ZSJL. Whedon was brought in to, among other things, make the film shorter, so he probably wrote and directed certain scenes to get from A to B quicker.

Of course, after seeing these same scenes in ZSJL... everything I've just said no longer makes sense.
After all Zack was given a budget of $70 million dollars and a whole extra year to reshoot. If there was originally a longer vision, one that can't merely be sped up to fit time constraints, one that would require Whedon to shoot new segments to make the film make sense and wasn't just easily cut flashbacks... then surely with $70mil and an extra year Zack could shoot these scenes.

It's not like he blew all of that money creating and/or souping up action scenes, making a mini-Cyborg origin movie or showing us Darkseid on Apocalips, in various future scenes, souping up Steppenwolf's CG, creating a larger flashback and a brand new Knightmare sequence. Is it?

And there's no way on earth that Zack would ever re-use or re-shoot any Whedon written bridging scene is there?

bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 3/22/2021, 4:11 AM
@RageDriver2401 @Spock0Clock - both opening scenes are pretty effective in establishing what the characters are, to me they just feel out of place with how the act the rest of the movie.

Still, Batman using Holt McCallany as bait is a pretty good opening to establish the movie's villains nonetheless.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 3/22/2021, 4:14 AM
@GwenLantern - yeah, I also assumed what Whedon did was bringing the movie quicker from point A to B. And the tight structure of that movie still holds up in my opinion, but after having seen ZSJL I don't see why they didn't just shortened this version
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 3/22/2021, 2:04 AM
And if you've watched the movie, you know there was no reason to turn Cavill into that monster.
He has little screentime, he's dope, but Whedon decided to delete the cool scenes, like the Flight 2.0, just so he could add that shitty ass opening.

Whedon was an Hydra agent all along.

But Snyder made his own future.
Made his own past! :D
dracula
dracula - 3/22/2021, 2:06 AM
Cgi lip doesnt change the fact that cavil finally got to play superman in that cut
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 3/22/2021, 5:09 AM
@dracula

Bro....

Not sure what movie you watched but Cavill was Superman in this movie. Honestly not sure how you could prefer this



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