JUSTICE LEAGUE: Zack Snyder Reveals Plans For Batgirl And Harley Quinn In His Snyder Cut Sequels

JUSTICE LEAGUE: Zack Snyder Reveals Plans For Batgirl And Harley Quinn In His Snyder Cut Sequels

Talking about the release of Zack Snyder's Justice League, the filmmaker reveals what he had planned for both Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) and Harley Quinn in the two sequels he originally hoped to make...

By JoshWilding - Mar 22, 2021 02:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Justice League
Source: Esquire

Zack Snyder has made no secret of his original plans for two Justice League sequels, though the filmmaker has also acknowledged that Warner Bros. has zero interest in making them. That's not sitting well with fans - hence the #RestoreTheSnyderVerse support on social media - and it's going to be hard for the studio to ignore the response to the Snyder Cut.

Talking to Esquire, Snyder was asked about some of the hints he dropped in that Knightmare epilogue, including what Batman said about Harley Quinn dying in his arms years earlier. 

"We were going to shoot those," the director said in regards to the deaths of Aquaman, Harley Quinn, and Lois Lane. "And they would have had elements of what Cyborg sees." 

"I always wanted Barbara Gordon to come in the movies. Commissioner Gordon would be on the way out, and we'd have Barbara starting to play a bigger role," he explains. "My idea was that after Batman sacrificed himself, there would be a window where there was no Batman, and I thought Barbara could fill that until the child of Superman and Lois, who has no powers, would become Batman when he was of age."

"That was the idea anyway. It just seemed to make sense," Snyder continued. "Then, of course, Barbara could have been his mentor, but who knows? That's all just...see now we're just wishful thinking."

Unfortunately, a sequel to Zack Snyder's Justice League probably is wishful thinking at this stage, but stranger things have happened, and it certainly sounds like the filmmaker has some ambitious ideas. If a big screen (or HBO Max) follow-up doesn't happen, how about a comic book


Click on the "Next" button below to check
out a breakdown of the Justice League 2 plot!

10. Justice League 2 Begins

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Following the events of Justice League, the team reassembles to deal with a natural disaster, but ultimately go their separate ways as they each have things to deal with in their personal lives. 

Remember, an earlier version of the film was set to include romance between Bruce Wayne and Lois Lane, and while that won't be part of the "Snyder Cut," it was set to heavily influence the sequel. Lois may have gone back to Superman, but she and Bruce are working together secretly to find Lex Luthor. However, the Dark Knight knows she's hiding something. 

Lex, meanwhile, is assembling a team. Tracking down Doctor Poison, Captain Cold, Orm, and Black Manta, the villain puts a group together with the aim of destroying the League.

Each of those baddies were, of course, set to be introduced in Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Aquaman respectively.
 

9. Batman Versus The Riddler

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While all this is happening, Superman struggles to return to his normal life now Clark Kent is "dead," and learns Lois is pregnant. Wonder Woman discovers a way to return to Themyscira, and Cyborg helps the Flash clear his father's name. 

Menalippe, the Amazon who warned Diana of Steppenwolf's attack helps her see a vision of her home, but Wonder Woman also sees herself becoming the God of War and killing Superman. 

Aquaman is embroiled in Atlantean conflicts as that plays out, and struggles to "Unite the Seven" following a battle with the Unseen. Batman is also pretty busy, tracking The Riddler to an abandoned cabin. He learns that Lex approached the villain and tasked him with solving the Anti-Life Equation...which he did. 

With that, he shoots himself in front of the Dark Knight. 
 

8. The Anti-Life Equation

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Lex manages to activate the Mother Boxes, and plans to take the Anti-Life Equation for himself. 

Much to his surprise, it's then that Darkseid arrives, taking the power from Lex as he had hoped both thousands of years earlier and when he sent Steppenwolf to Earth in Justice League. Superman asks Batman to protect Lois ("his world") and heads off to battel the villain. Bruce and Lois argue, and she claims he's not the father when he admits knowing she's pregnant.

Lex tells Darkseid he has the power to kill Superman, but that's not what he wants. Instead, he wishes to make the Krytonian subservient to him, and to do that, he must be broken. Luthor points Darkseid in Lois' direction, and he arrives in the Batcave. Bruce, feeling powerless and overwhelmed is frozen as Darkeid uses the Omega beam to kill Lois. 

Superman witnesses this, but is too slow, and falls under Darkseid, and the Anti-Life Equation's, control.
 

7. The Fall Of The League

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Lex's team attacks. Doctor Poison unleashes a special gas on Themyscira which kills the Amazons, including Wonder Woman (who dies in her mother's arms after returning home). Aquaman, meanwhile, is overpowered by Orm and Black Manta, and Mera only barely manages to escape. 

That explains their absence from the Knightmare timeline, and while Flash survives thanks to Cyborg's intervention, Victor Stone winds up being torn in half. 

Batman barely escapes Superman, and when the Man of Steel comes face-to-face with Lex...he burns him where he stands. 

Five years later, we're in the Knightmare timeline. What's left of the Justice League struggles to survive a world ruled over by Darkseid, and as they approach the dilapidated Wayne Manor, they need to hurry because "he's coming." 
 

6. Justice League 3

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That's how Justice League 2 concludes, but the third film opens with Green Lantern's introduction.

He arrives on this desolate Earth searching for his partner, and finds an unexpected ally in Batman (who helps shield him from the Parademons). Deadshot shows up to lend a helping hand, as does the Flash. 

The Dark Knight warns Barry to stay out of the fight because he's too valuable, but the Scarlet Speedster doesn't listen and is almost killed. Green Lantern saves him, and their iconic friendship begins. They return to Wayne Manor, Batman explaining that he has a plan to stop Darkseid.

The space faring superhero is on board, but wonders how they plan on defeating the villain...
 

5. Making Things Right

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Cyborg is building the Cosmic Treadmill, but there are a lot of complications that come with time-travel. For starters, they don't know where exactly Barry will end up, and it's something they can only try pulling off once a year (when the planets align). 

Earth's population has fallen to Darkseid, becoming his new Parademons or Superman's soldiers. That's how Deadshot lost his daughter, and it's why the team need to steal a Mother Box. That powerful weapon can power the Cosmic Treadmill, but only four 10 - 15 seconds. What can the Flash possibly tell Batman in that time? 

They all agree on "You have to stop Lex," but Bruce later pulls Barry to one side and whispers something else in his ear that will be more effective. The Scarlet Speedster is shocked. 

With that, the mission to retake a Mother Box begins. 
 

4. Superman Battles The League

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They get it, but not without attracting Superman's attention. Deadshot attempts to slow him down with a Kryptonite bullet, but is killed by the Man of Steel. 

Mera is crushed after trying to remove the water from his body, and Green Lantern proves to be no match for Superman after he uses his corrupted heat vision to blow apart the hero's ring...and him along with it! Cyborg is tossed to the Parademons and ripped apart, leaving only Batman and his Kryptonite spear left standing.

He fails to stop Superman, and is impaled by his one-time ally. 

Just before he can reach the Flash, however, the Fastest Man Alive manages to race back in time!
 

3. The Flash's Message

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The Flash arrives in the Batcave moments after Bruce's argument with Lois, telling him that she lied and he is, in fact, the baby's father. 

Lois overhears, and is this time able to tell Batman what she wanted to last time they met before Darkseid's attack: Lex has assembled a team he plans to use to target the Justice League. 

Again, Darkseid attacks, and history appears to be repeating itself. The Flash vanishes from existence, and the Caped Crusader leaps into action, saving Lois, but taking a shot from the Omega Beams. An empowered, angry Superman forces Darkseid to retreat, and races into action to stop Lex from killing his fellow heroes.

The Injustice League is defeated, but Bruce is dying, and tells Lois he wishes they could have had a life together outside the cave. He heads into battle for what may be his final mission.
 

2. The Fall Of Batman And Darkseid

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Earth has united against Darkseid. The countries of the world come together and combine their forces to stop the villain (and Lex), with Wonder Woman leading Themyscira, and Aquaman bringing the Atlanteans back into the fight. 

Even the entire Green Lantern Corps get in on the action, and the entire DC Universe (men, Amazons, Atlanteans, and even aliens) assembles to save the planet. 

There are casualties - Hippolyta dies in Diana's arms - but the League is unstoppable; Flash is now so fast, he can be in two places at once, while Cyborg takes control of the Mother Boxes and destroys them to weaken Darkseid.

Ultimately, it's Batman who sacrifices his life to put an end to the villain once and for all. 
 

1. 20 Years Later...

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Following the battle, Wonder Woman becomes the new leader of Themyscira. She negotiates peace between every country of the world, ushering a new era for the planet. 

Aquaman is crowned the rightful ruler of Atlantis, and Cyborg has evolved, becoming a God of the digital age and transforming himself to once again look human. Superman knows Bruce is the father of Lois' child, but still loves her, and wants to be a father to the boy. With that, he has a reason to be Clark again. 

There are a couple of missing pieces (what happened to Lex and the Flash?), but twenty years later, a memorial service for Batman sees Commissioner Barbara Gordon asks Lois when she plans to tell him the truth about Bruce. Surrounded by the League, she tells her son that his dad was Batman. 

The movie ends in Gotham City with the emergence of a familiar figure. Bruce and Lois' son has decided to take over the mantle to protect his father's home and legacy. Batman lives again!
 

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Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/22/2021, 2:56 AM
Snyder talks about Batman as if he's this necessary institution in this world, but we never actually see that in the movies. We see the cops are afraid and suspicious of him, we see that the guy with access to all of the world's digital information doesn't believe he exists, and we firsthand that Batman himself believes his mission was essentially a failure in Batman vs. Superman. Once Bruce snaps out of his funk in Justice League, his redemption/legacy is putting together a team to fight aliens.

The only evidence we get of Batman's rogues are from Ayer's movie (which Snyder probably doesn't consider strictly canon anyway). And while I think it's good to have a guy tracking down lunatics in Gotham, it's really small potatoes stuff compared to Darkseid and the Flaming City of a 100,000 Planets.
Fogs
Fogs - 3/22/2021, 4:00 AM
@Spock0Clock - finished watching ZSJL last night.

Batman was the worst character.
BestAtWhatIDo
BestAtWhatIDo - 3/22/2021, 5:01 AM
@Fogs - Yeah, I felt all of the Trinity faired poorly compared to Flash and Cyborg, who were great. Maybe the plan was for those three to get more compelling arcs in the next two. Honestly, I'd like Snyder to make a Part 2 (I think he could wrap up his plans in one 4.5hr installment, with 100% less Icelandic thirst singing). I'm sure it would have the same strengths and weaknesses as everything he's done in the DCEU, which for me would make it worth the watch.
aresww3
aresww3 - 3/22/2021, 5:20 AM
@Spock0Clock -
Dredd97
Dredd97 - 3/22/2021, 5:56 AM
@Spock0Clock - ya know, it's weird. It's like Snyder wanted to use the early days myth version of Batman, but also the late day grittiness of Frank Miller's. The two are very different characters and it shows when this Batman weirdly changes into a guy who acts on faith? The guy who doesn't believe in magic?
PerrinNation1
PerrinNation1 - 3/22/2021, 6:54 AM
@Spock0Clock - Because Snyder seems to rely on what the audience already thinks they know about these characters...and that frees him from he responsibility of telling their stories properly on film. We are just supposed to ASSUME that Superman is the shining beacon to the world. We are to assume that Batman is a dedicated ally to superman. We are to assume that Lois and Clark have a deep and lasting relationship. We are to assume that Bruce Wayne would be the kind of guy who would bang Lois when his ‘friend’ Clark is dead. We are to assume Lois would bang the guy who tried to kill her lover.

It just seemed to make sense.
SpaceAgent
SpaceAgent - 3/22/2021, 2:57 AM
How many DC movies does he think he will direct?
Luigi
Luigi - 3/22/2021, 9:46 AM
@SpaceAgent - If Watchmen and BvS Directors Cuts are 3 hours and Justice League is 4, he seems to be a better fit for TV
Se4M4NSt4ine
Se4M4NSt4ine - 3/22/2021, 2:57 AM
SpaceAgent
SpaceAgent - 3/22/2021, 2:59 AM
Commisioner Gordon would be on his way out?

Keep Simmons around if this endeavour truly must continue then at least give me something to look forward to.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 3/22/2021, 2:59 AM
Ok now we're just "remixing" articles rn tho. :P
JFerguson
JFerguson - 3/22/2021, 3:00 AM
"That was the idea anyway. It just seemed to make sense"

FunkyFeige
FunkyFeige - 3/22/2021, 3:05 AM
@JFerguson - To me.
JFerguson
JFerguson - 3/22/2021, 3:07 AM
@EdgySnyder - Ok. Why did you want to kill Jimmy Olsen in his first appearance? And Dick instead of Jason?
FunkyFeige
FunkyFeige - 3/22/2021, 3:12 AM
@JFerguson - because, like why the [frick] not

Wake the [frick] up, once you’ve lost your virginity to this [frick]ing movie and then you come and say to me something about, like that

JFerguson
JFerguson - 3/22/2021, 3:29 AM
@EdgySnyder -
FunkyFeige
FunkyFeige - 3/22/2021, 3:44 AM
@JFerguson - don’t turn Vulko against me.
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/22/2021, 4:35 AM
@EdgySnyder -

FunkyFeige
FunkyFeige - 3/22/2021, 3:09 AM
Hey guys, just wanted to take this time to release some concept art of Bat Baby



we’re still in like uh... early development, but I know you’d like to, perhaps get a glimpse of what we’re working on for the eventual sequel.
JFerguson
JFerguson - 3/22/2021, 3:11 AM
@EdgySnyder - get rid of the yellow. Too much color
FunkyFeige
FunkyFeige - 3/22/2021, 3:15 AM
@JFerguson - I mean, that’s why we’re releasing it in black and white, duh
Blergh
Blergh - 3/22/2021, 3:16 AM
He's certainly playing the "hey, I have a bunch of ideas, make it happen fans" card to motivate his following to push for more.
JFerguson
JFerguson - 3/22/2021, 3:26 AM
@Blergh -
Zack Snyder hoping to release sequels:
Smoothcat
Smoothcat - 3/22/2021, 3:23 AM
Geez, he really doesn’t understand the Batman characters.
GwenLantern
GwenLantern - 3/22/2021, 3:56 AM
So Barbara would have been Commissioner AND Batwoman (or Batgirl or whatever)?!

Also, if what Cyborg sees is a possible future, then...

1. Why does Superman switch to Red and Blue as his "evil Superman" costume?

2. How are all the Amazons at Wonder Woman's funeral. Aren't they supposed to be dead?

3. Why does Mera say that Clark killed Aquaman when it was obviously Darkseid? And why did she say it as Mary Poppins?

4. And why.... no, sorry my brains stuck on "Mera Poopins" now.

Mera Poopins.

Zack Snyder's Mera Poopins on HBO Max this fall!
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 3/22/2021, 4:31 AM
@GwenLantern - ...Mera Poopins...

Fogs
Fogs - 3/22/2021, 4:01 AM
Finished it last night.

Better than Whedon's.

Also boring and convoluted as hell.
Vision85
Vision85 - 3/22/2021, 4:03 AM
I don't care for all the Batman inheritance stuff, for me, Batman is Bruce Wayne and that's that. However, I would like to see a sequel that's like Fury Road crazy. I mean, Batman has always had sweet cars.

If it was me, I'd start the film/show with the invasion. Clark brings Lois to the Batcave to keep her safe, it doesn't work because Lex told Darkseid the Lois is Superman's weakness. Pretty much the same set up. We'd lose WW and Aquaman etc. But after that initial scene we are 5 years later and in Mad Max land.

The story then becomes about how they can send Flash far enough back in time to help. Bruce knows it's possible because of the failed attempt he witnessed.

This culminates in a Batmobile chase scene, v Mad Max esq to retrieve a motherbox to run the treadmill.

Batman goes after some kryptonite to help protect the Flash but is killed (BvS) so the survivors make a last stand against Superman as the Flash enters the speedforce. They all die, but Flash manages to get the message across.

Batman sacrifices himself to save Lois, and its pretty much the Snyder end but without all the Son becoming Batman stuff.

If anything I would have set up Diana and Bruce as at least having slept together and she is pregnant but didn't know until after his death. Only because I love the image of WW carrying a baby on her back as she battles.

Dunno why I bothered typing out my fan fiction ideas but thats the direction i'd head.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 3/22/2021, 4:57 AM
@Vision85 - having Bruce and Diana hook up is something I could actually see happen after ZSJL. Lois not so much, Bruce clearly was aware of what Lois meant to Clark and what Clark meant to Lois.
aresww3
aresww3 - 3/22/2021, 5:36 AM
@Vision85 - your idea is...

sorry just no. they should scrap the whole idea for darkseid invasion until we get two JL movies under our belt.

Do Tower Of Babel, we just got these guys together. let them live for a bit.
VincentValjean
VincentValjean - 3/22/2021, 5:43 AM
@Vision85 - Cool idea but unfortunately the Bruce-Lois romance has to be done because of the "injustice Superman". When Supes says to Batman "She was my world and you took her from me" he doesn't only refer to the fact that Batman froze when Darkseid killed Lois but he also means the fact that they slept together when he was dead. I mean, he can't trust Batman anymore or see him as a friend of his. Thus he wants revenge, goes mad and becomes the villain.
Vision85
Vision85 - 3/22/2021, 8:01 AM
@aresww3 - 100% if we are talking another JL film generally i wouldnt go down this road. I just mean to tie off this story.
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