Zack Snyder's Justice League hits HBO Max on March 18th, and it's fair to say that between that, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and Godzilla vs. Kong, next month is shaping up to be pretty awesome.
Snyder's four-hour cut of Justice League promises to include a lot of surprises, but for many fans, the chance to revisit that "Knightmare" timeline (where we know Batman will cross paths with Jared Leto's Joker) is most intriguing. Now, a new image of Ben Affleck suited up has been revealed, and it points to the Caped Crusader being a haunted, broken individual in this desolate future.
We've known for a while that the reason for this "Knightmare" is because Superman falls under Darkseid's control (the Anti-Life Equation), and helps the villain conquer the Earth. Bruce seemingly witnessed a glimpse of his death at the Man of Steel's hands in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, so it will be interesting to see if Snyder finds a way to address that in any way here.
In Zack Snyder's Justice League, determined to ensure Superman’s (Henry Cavill) ultimate sacrifice was not in vain, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) aligns forces with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) with plans to recruit a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions. The task proves more difficult than Bruce imagined, as each of the recruits must face the demons of their own pasts to transcend that which has held them back, allowing them to come together, finally forming an unprecedented league of heroes.
Now united, Batman (Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and The Flash (Ezra Miller) may be too late to save the planet from Steppenwolf, DeSaad and Darkseid and their dreadful intentions. The movie premieres on HBO Max on March 18th.
Check out this cool new look at "Knightmare" Batman below:
Click on the "Next" button below for our theories
about Justice League's surprise cameo!
10. Supergirl
We still don't know whether it was really a deliberate Easter Egg or not, but Man of Steel featured a hint that one of the Kryptonians that landed on Earth thousands of years ago survived.
The most popular theory is that it was Supergirl, and that she then became the first of the Amazons. It's a fun idea, and given Snyder's habit of taking note of ideas like that from fans (which likely explains why General Swanwick is going to be revealed as Martian Manhunter), Superman could meet his cousin.
The big question is whether Sasha Calle will play her? That would be one heck of a way to introduce the character, but the timings probably don't work to make such a cameo a reality.
9. Shazam
We don't know whether Justice League will end on a cliffhanger, but if Snyder does attempt to at least tease future stories, then an older, "Knightmare" version of Zachary Levi's Shazam would be epic.
Zachary Levi is clearly a big comic book fan, and would likely be fully on board with a cameo such as this to fill the gap between Shazam! and Shazam! - Fury of the Gods. We wouldn't expect it to necessarily tie into either of those, of course, but this would be a smart way to further hype the character.
It could be as simple as him just joining the team, of course, because had Snyder stuck around the DCEU, chances are a future Justice League movie would have included Billy Batson's alter-ego.
8. Green Arrow
Green Arrow might not be the most exciting character listed here, but the chances of him showing up are probably high. It's no secret that Snyder is a huge fan of Frank Miller's DC work, so it's worth noting that the Emerald Archer was a key part of The Dark Knight Returns storyline.
In that, Oliver Queen helped Batman take on Superman by firing a Kryptonite arrow at the Man of Steel.
In the "Knightmare" timeline, Clark Kent has fallen under the control of Darkseid courtesy of the Anti-Life Equation, so Batman could turn to old friend Oliver Queen for help in stopping Superman. What would make this mind-blowing? Well, how about Snyder enlisted Stephen Amell?
7. Booster Gold
Fans have been waiting a long time to see Booster Gold in a live-action setting, and seeing as Justice League looks set to introduce the concept of time-travel, why not add this hero to the mix?
It would be a tough cameo to throw in during the movie's final few minutes, but this superhero from the 25th Century could quite easily show up to offer the team some guidance...and attempt to join their ranks. It's a moment likely to be lost on casual fans, but for everyone else, it would be pretty cool.
It all depends whether Snyder plans to use his cut of Justice League to wrap up his time in the DC Extended Universe or tease what might come next. If it's the latter, then Booster Gold would be perfect.
6. Cyborg Superman
Look, we know Cyborg Superman has traditionally been portrayed as a villain, but when he first appeared (and was suspected to be the real Kal-El), he served as a hero for Metropolis.
It's obviously hard to say how he could factor into proceedings beyond the reveal that Superman is now part robot, but tackling the aftermath of Superman's death by introducing a series of imposters...well, it seems like something Snyder might consider. Whether a plot thread like that could be resolved here is hard to say, though it could prove to be a wonderfully weird moment!
Again, this one is something of a stretch, but we're sure the filmmaker can figure out a way to throw a heroic Cyborg Superman into the mix for a last-minute jaw-dropping cameo of some sort.
5. Black Adam
If you want to talk about a cameo which would blow the minds of fans, then look no further than Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson showing up as Black Adam. This is obviously a big ask, but the former pro wrestler likes to make headlines, and he could do so by boarding the "Snyder Cut" train.
This wouldn't have to tie into the upcoming Black Adam movie, but this is another cameo which could be perfectly suited to that desolate "Knightmare" timeline. Perhaps this anti-hero is the one who flies in to put an end to Darkseid once and for all? We definitely wouldn't be upset about that.
No details have been revealed about the extent of this cameo, but it's been set up as a big deal, and it's impossible to find a bigger deal in Hollywood right now that this global megastar.
4. John Stewart
Green Lantern has been overlooked by Warner Bros.' DC Extended Universe, likely because the 2011 movie was a flop. There are now plans for a movie and TV show, but those seem to be stuck in the very early stages, with little movement on either in recent months.
The fact Snyder also failed to include the character in his movies surprised many fans, though there have been rumours for what feels like forever that he was going to show up at the end of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice or Justice League to warn the team about Darkseid.
Could that cameo finally come true? Quite possibly, and given John Stewart's popularity thanks to the Justice League Unlimited animated series, he might be exactly who Snyder highlights here.
3. Catwoman
In a recent interview, Snyder pondered Batman's past in Gotham City, revealing that he thinks the Dark Knight likely had a relationship with Catwoman before her criminal ways drove them apart.
The filmmaker also suggested that they could ultimately reunite, so perhaps that's how he plans to give Batman a happy ending? Carla Gugino remains a fan-favourite choice to play a slightly older Selina Kyle, and has history with Snyder after working with him on Watchmen.
Would this qualify as mind-blowing? Well, it's been a whole since we've seen Catwoman on screen, so having her cross paths with Batman in the same movie he meets Joker would be pretty epic.
2. Hal Jordan
John Stewart is a great character, but for many comic book fans, Hal Jordan is the Green Lantern.
As the original Green Lantern, it makes perfect sense for him to cross paths with the team to finally "Unite the Seven." Snyder will need to find a way to explain why he's only just now coming to Earth (especially if Steppenwolf and Darkseid are defeated), but providing we get some dialogue, Batman's team could gain an important new member who will help them protect the universe.
For some, this will come as too little, too late, but seeing as we know a Green Lantern factors into those flashbacks to Uxas' initial attack on Earth, it feels like Snyder has been planning this for a while.
1. Ryan Reynolds As Hal Jordan
Look, we know Ryan Reynolds has already denied suggestions he'll return as Green Lantern in Zack Snyder's Justice League, and while he's probably telling the truth, we're not so sure.
That Tweet (which has made headlines everywhere) has done a pretty good job of throwing fans off the scent, and if it is Green Lantern joining the team, then it needs to be an A-Lister to make the cameo really blow us away. After all, a random actor suiting up as the character is fine, but it won't exactly be as exciting as seeing the original big screen Green Lantern make his return.
In a new costume, and no mention of the 2011 flop, Reynolds could give Hal Jordan a proper farewell, finally adding him to the Justice League's world, and leaving us all with our jaws on the floor.