ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE: Why Ray Fisher's Performance As Cyborg May Be One Of 2021's Most Important

ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE: Why Ray Fisher's Performance As Cyborg May Be One Of 2021's Most Important

There's a lot to love about Zack Snyder's Justice League, but Ray Fisher's incredible performance as Cyborg is near the top of the list. Here's why the actor's work might be 2021's most important...

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Mar 16, 2021 12:03 PM EST
Filed Under: Justice League

Ray Fisher has been making headlines for months now, and his comments about what he once described as Joss Whedon’s "gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable" behaviour on the set of Justice League’s reshoots have sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Non Disclosure Agreements mean the actor has been unable to share specifics for the most part, while WarnerMedia’s underwhelming conclusion from their investigation failed to shed any light on the repercussions for those involved (Geoff Johns and Jon Berg have frequently been mentioned by Fisher for allegedly being complicit in Whedon’s actions). We’re not here to debate that, but it’s clear what happened shouldn’t have, and even based on what little has been revealed, no one can blame Fisher for being angry. 

However, after having the opportunity to watch Zack Snyder’s Justice League, it seems fair to say that something went drastically wrong at Warner Bros. when Whedon decided to reshape the movie in his image. For reasons likely known only to him and other executives at the studio, 99% of Fisher’s performance was reshot for the 2017 movie. Was it because he was a relative newcomer back when Justice League was being shot the first time around and his work simply didn’t cut the mustard under Snyder’s watch? Well, considering the fact he’s a standout in the "Snyder Cut," we’re going to go with no. Could it be that his original arc needed some tweaks to better fit the character or the plot of the theatrical version? Quite literally everything seen from Cyborg here is better than it was three-and-a-half years ago, whether it’s how he uses his powers, his general demeanour, or the character’s relationship with his father. 

What we see in Zack Snyder’s Justice League feels authentic, real, and 100% relatable. Fisher has alleged that Johns told him "we can't have an angry Black man at the center of the movie." Well, Cyborg should be angry, and he should most definitely hate the world for what’s happened to him. His relationship with his father doesn’t always make for comfortable viewing, but why does would it? Silas Stone wasn’t there for his son, and then used technology to create...well, someone who is now more machine than man. As Victor clearly struggles with his new body, his hatred for his father is completely understandable, but you can also see there’s more to it than just that. The way things ultimately play out between them (and we’re not going to spoil anything here) also works perfectly, and Cyborg is one of the most complex, layered characters we’ve seen in a superhero movie for some time.
 

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Then, there’s Cyborg. "Holy sh*t" feels like the only appropriate response to how the hero is often portrayed. He’s gone from saying “Booyah!” and firing off a few weapons to being put on a path that will one day see him become "The Modern Day God Of The Digital Age" Fisher has teased on social media. This movie makes us understand how the hero’s powers work, the full extent of them, and the fact he could destroy or save the world with a single thought (unleashing the world's nuclear arsenal or crippling the economy, for example). It’s really quite profound, and Fisher is at the heart of that. His work here is staggering, and while he clearly has a lot to be angry about after those reshoots in 2017, a star making performance being stolen from him by some baffling creative decisions should still be counted among the more serious issues. It does sound like at least part of the reasoning for the neutering of the character is due to Fisher’s race, something there needs to be consequences for moving forward (Whedon’s career appears to be over following multiple accusations, though Johns and Berg have thus far emerged unscathed). 

As both a young Black man and someone differently abled people can fully relate to, Cyborg is an inspiration in a way that should resonate with people of all races, genders, and abilities; this is a deep character with a lot to say. It turns out Snyder wasn’t exaggerating when he described the character as the heart of this movie, and it’s now clear that heart was torn out in 2017. However, that was then, and this is now, and it doesn’t feel like an exaggeration to say Fisher’s performance in the "Snyder Cut" could be one of the most important, best pieces of work we’ll see on any sized screen in 2021. It feels like this character's story is now being told at the right time, and regardless of whether this propels Fisher to superstardom, it should make getting his voice heard as he calls for accountability in Hollywood that much easier. Like the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement, that's a big win. 

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Blergh
Blergh - 3/16/2021, 12:03 PM
We're never going to hear the end of this.
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 3/16/2021, 12:33 PM
@Blergh - I'm waiting for him to make an article about how important the lighting department were for an integral scene we already saw but was touched up in this cut to add more contrast. And that they spent 176hrs perfecting the shadowing.
aresww3
aresww3 - 3/16/2021, 12:59 PM
@Blergh - This guy needs to watch One Night In Miami then come back and tell me about Ray's performance. Just because he was good in the film doesn't mean he was right. Simple facts, I don't stand with Ray Fisher, but I still think he's an extremely talented actor.
aresww3
aresww3 - 3/16/2021, 12:59 PM
@aresww3 @Blergh - This guy needs to watch One Night In Miami then come back and tell me about Ray's performance. Just because he was good in the film doesn't mean he was right. Simple facts, I don't stand with Ray Fisher, but I still think he's an extremely talented actor.
Goldboink
Goldboink - 3/16/2021, 1:00 PM
@Blergh -
Yea, we will. It will be a few weeks after the Snyder Cut hits.

BTW, we now know why Ray is so pissed off. He was about to become "The Modern Day God Of The Digital Age" and wound up just a guy who says Booya.
MaxPaint
MaxPaint - 3/16/2021, 1:20 PM
@Blergh - The premiere is in 2 days, you can avoid this articles.
Lostcause
Lostcause - 3/16/2021, 2:59 PM
@SonOfAGif - shadowing...in color!
Battabing
Battabing - 3/16/2021, 4:01 PM
@Blergh -
I don't know why people are acting like Cyborg was created this past Sunday.
We know who he is and what his history as a hero is.
This further proves that Fisher's issue with Whedon was purely creative.
Roodi
Roodi - 3/16/2021, 4:46 PM
@Battabing - and used other people's experiences to shed a light on HIS grievances.
ThorArms
ThorArms - 3/16/2021, 12:05 PM
Heavy eye roll

Can't wait for 30 more Fisher articles
MrCamw1
MrCamw1 - 3/16/2021, 12:05 PM
So is this releasing tomorrow night or Thursday night?
ElJefe
ElJefe - 3/16/2021, 1:08 PM
@MrCamw1 - Virtual Red Carpet event tomorrow. Releasing Thursday.
XMenGiveItToYa
XMenGiveItToYa - 3/16/2021, 12:06 PM
Lol what a crock of shit. Fisher wanted this released because it's his last shot at stardom after announcing he's boycotting being in future DC movies
GhostDog
GhostDog - 3/16/2021, 12:09 PM
"Fisher’s work in Zack Snyder’s Justice League has the potential to be as important as the late Chadwick Boseman’s in Black Panther."

I mean look...I haven't seen it but...goddamn this sounds like a RIDICULOUS REACH.
lordSTALE
lordSTALE - 3/16/2021, 12:41 PM
@BlackBeltJones - Josh: "Cyborg is black, so was Black Panther. Same thing"

HannibalLecter
HannibalLecter - 3/16/2021, 12:43 PM
@lordSTALE - Jokes aside most of the article is unintentionally racist to be honest...
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 3/16/2021, 12:10 PM
If Fisher gets more chances to showcase his acting in this version good for him. With that being said, I'm still partial to the Doom Patrol design of the character.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 3/16/2021, 12:11 PM
Hurry up Thursday! I'm tired of these worthless articles
HannibalLecter
HannibalLecter - 3/16/2021, 12:13 PM
@bobevanz - I seriously hope it will be the end of them, we literally have hundreds of JL articles every month.
vegetaray
vegetaray - 3/16/2021, 12:35 PM
@bobevanz - Better prep up for the inevitable ~WB/DC needs to let Snyder continue making movies in this universe~ articles then...Not only that, but the vitriol will be a 100x worse...We’ll be begging to go back to the good ol’ release the Snyder cut days...
XMenGiveItToYa
XMenGiveItToYa - 3/16/2021, 12:12 PM
"Ray Fisher is the new Chadwick Boseman" lol [frick] offffff
MasterMix
MasterMix - 3/16/2021, 12:12 PM
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