The three-part docuseries, Superpowered: The DC Story trailer is facing backlash for including the 2017’s Justice League (Josstice League) instead of Zack Snyder‘s director cut. The documentary announced in 2021 & directed by Leslie Iwerks reviews the legacy of the DC Comics brand covering from its inception to evolution over the 90 years of its existence, which paved the way for iconic live-action adaptations like the Christopher Reeve starrer 1978 Superman to 2017’s Wonder Woman.
It’s fair to say 2023’s The Flash was the culmination of DC Extended Universe which began with Snyder’s Man of Steel. Although it hasn’t been a successful journey for the DC Film franchise like the MCU – the inter-connected universe or better known as the Snyderverse still managed to draw audiences from all walks of life arguably thanks to Zack’s vision.
Unfortunately, neither the director’s work from ZSJL nor his interview is part of the Superpowered: The DC Story trailer and it has not gone unnoticed. The trailer begins with James Gunn discussing the topic of heroism but it should be noted the filmmaker was not yet on board as the DC Studios chief. So the director appears to be a part of the docu for directing 2021’s The Suicide Squad.
Meanwhile, The reason behind Snyders exclusion can be found in Rolling Stone’s August 2022 report on the Batgirl cancellation. RS revealed that filmmaker Iwerks did request to license clips from Zack Snyder’s Justice League during the documentary’s production. However, the 100 Years of Warner Bros. director “was told there is only one Justice League: the 2017 incarnation.”
Fans point out Josstice League footage in Superpowered: The DC Story
It can be argued the WB regime in 2021 had a different mindset towards the director’s cut since The Flash movie acknowledges ZSJL as canon. Nevertheless, the use of Josstice League footage has still irked many while it includes newcomers like Dwayne Johnson for Black Adam but no sign of Snyder.
Christopher Nolan‘s Batman trilogy was also nowhere to be seen in the trailer but the director is part of the three-part documentary. While Superpowered: The DC Story addresses the Watchmen series during Damon Lindelof‘s interview part, the 2009’s R-rated feature based on Alan Moore‘s work was not included though Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice made the cut.
Even so, the documentary deserves a bit of praise for including artists such as J. M. DeMatteis, well known for his writing credits in the Justice League Unlimited animated series. However, the Snyderverse fandom is still not budging from criticizing the studio as can be seen in the reactions below.
they used shots from josstice league and mislabeled what films they come from https://t.co/Xz8C2yZJbE pic.twitter.com/pDQii1YG3X
— rach ⚡ (@superbatson) June 27, 2023
They have James Gunn and The Rock featured in this video but no interview with the man that gave his heart/soul to DC and brought a live action Justice League to life
Warner Brothers is genuinely the worst corporation of all time and I’m so serious https://t.co/V9Jb0omARx pic.twitter.com/EQKqA1j33F
— Teej (@UsUnitedJustice) June 27, 2023
The creator was denied access and usage of footage from ZSJL. That should tell you all you need to know about this. https://t.co/FUTyV1gSKn
— Walt (@Uber_Kryptonian) June 27, 2023
Patty Jenkins present, that tanked a franchise. James Gunn present who's DC film lost the studio over $100m but no Zack. Fuck I'm glad your studio's burning down. https://t.co/jVjWlF9X9B
— STEM (@steusmotus) June 27, 2023
No mention or feature of Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder the guys who crafted some of the most influential DC movies ever https://t.co/q5QvvE49Bi pic.twitter.com/dnetNTvEHP
— Fdm (@theSnyderKnight) June 28, 2023
When the filmmakers of this asked to license clips from the Snyder Cut, the studio denied them access https://t.co/3rlqjzxDX0 pic.twitter.com/S17Ym75AnN
— Silverfox (@Kristoffhrson) June 27, 2023
Choosing to associate with Joss Whedon, in 2023, while trying your hardest to distance yourselves from the man that gave birth to the modern DC universe bc he, *checks notes* had a grounded take on DC & got gatekeepers crying is..pretty on brand with you actually. https://t.co/cX4t1Y74rX
— Nick (@ItsJustN1ck) June 27, 2023
It's hilarious how they got Dwayne Johnson in here but not Zack Snyder who's directed the most DC movies than anyone loool https://t.co/zTHJoDjZpU
— Dante (@thedante_slayer) June 27, 2023
The one where the filmmaker wasn't allowed to use bits about Zack Snyder's Justice League.
Bear that in mind if you're thinking that WB @wbd @wbpictures actually want anyone seeing "behind the curtain" of the DC Story.#RestoreTheSnyderverse#ReleaseTheAyerCut https://t.co/z85dsZcvq3 pic.twitter.com/0NSrOVYqKA
— Drü 🜃 (@drewexmachina) June 27, 2023
Snyder gave this studio the best representation of DC characters on the big screen #facts. But @WBD decided to side with Joss Whedon and make his Josstice League the canon movie.
They have no clue of what the audience wants. Nothing has changed. #BoycottWBD https://t.co/PcqrL08IXr pic.twitter.com/0E3rHztsJB— Jo Costello (@MaJoJovi) June 27, 2023
Can’t wait for the episode where you talk about what Toby Emmerich, Kevin Tsujihara and Geoff Johns done.
Make sure you don’t skip over the part where the fans campaigned for a film you told us never existed & ended up a “global sensation” before telling us it was a cul de sac. https://t.co/4GeLzMoolA
— Jordan H C (@BaillBron) June 27, 2023
This is why this company and its majority of DC films keep failing at theatres with audiences. Snyder and Nolan who kickstarted DCEU, gave gens of movies are deliberately left out while Gunn who directed a 200 million dollars flop is being glorified alongwith other poor performrz https://t.co/60mmB1thVP
— 👑 (@DahiyaKnight) June 27, 2023
This is the documentary where they forbid the creator from using ZSJL footage lmao https://t.co/PAH6741rDU
— ThatGuy (@OSthatguy) June 27, 2023
Using Josstice League's footage in 2023? This studio needs to fail in every possible way. https://t.co/XtjmzQXHCG
— Akash jay (@ThaAkashDeep) June 27, 2023
You couldn’t get Zack Snyder in there? https://t.co/S3ruxveAl6
— The Batfleck Movie #MakeTheBatfleckMovie (@BatfleckMovie) June 27, 2023
While Zack is not in the trailer, it is still possible the documentary could use archive footage of the director’s interviews shot for past DC Films. In fact, even Christopher Reeves’ archives are being used for Superpowered: The DC Story.
Superpowered: The DC Story is narrated by Rosario Dawson and includes archival interviews from the DC Film DCTV cast & crew like Henry Cavill, Patty Jenkins, Melissa Benoist and even veterans such as Jim Lee, Greg Berlanti and many more. The series will be available to stream from July 20 on Max.
