Everyone wants to know about Justice League 2. Who can blame them? Zack Snyder’s Justice League left a legion of DC fans spellbound and expectant. The Snyder Cut nakedly sets up a sequel – but it’s one that may never see the light of day. Yet, here’s always hope. That’s what the ‘S’ on Superman‘s chest stands for, after all. The director has spoken at length about the likelihood of Justice League 2 (and Justice League 3). On the off-chance we don’t get to see a sequel, Snyder has outlined the major story beats for his Justice League trilogy. It’s not quite as good as seeing it on the big screen but, for now, it’ll have to do.
The bell has been unrung. Here’s everything you need to know about Justice League 2, the sequel to the Snyder Cut.
Justice League 2: Is it happening?
If you can believe it, Justice League 2 was as good as official at one point in time. The sequel was penciled in by Warner Bros. for release on June 14, 2019. That, of course, never came to pass. Justice League 2 was quietly scrubbed from the schedules after the release of 2017’s Justice League (partly directed by Joss Whedon after Snyder left the project following a personal tragedy) and fans’ attention instead turned towards getting Snyder’s original vision for Justice League released.
Unfortunately, it sounds like Justice League 2 is going the way of the DC dodo. That’s due in part to Snyder revealing so much of the story (more on that below) – a sign that the director possibly feels it’s never going to be made. Even as recently as February 2021, Snyder has talked about the studio not being on board with the idea of releasing a sequel.
Justice League 2 story: the plot for the DC sequel
So, let’s say Justice League 2 doesn’t happen. As of writing, there are no plans, Snyder sounds unconvinced, and neither Warner Bros. nor HBO Max have released statements on its vision for the so-called ‘Snyder-verse’. Still, we have a sizeable amount of story beats to imagine what could have been.
Snyder elaborated that, when Darkseid comes to Earth after the events of the first Justice League, Lex Luthor would team up with the villain. Meanwhile, Superman would task Batman with protecting Lois Lane while he battles with Darkseid. “Lex tells Darkseid that the key to Superman’s weaknesses is killing Lois Lane,” Snyder said. “For whatever reason, Batman fails. Darkseid comes back and kills Lois. Batman fails, he hesitates. They were in an argument.” Basically, Batman got distracted and failed to protect Lois. “
Why were they arguing?
In Snyder’s original vision, Batman falls in love with Lois – though this idea was nixed by Warner Bros. Even without the romantic subplot, Lois was bound to die, and Batman is riddled with guilt over her death. Meanwhile, the broken-hearted Superman succumbs to the Anti-Life Equation – the mythical power that grants the user full control over anything it touches.
Zack Snyder Says Justice League Still ‘Not Enough Movie’ For His Superman Story
Zack Snyder says his four-hour cut of Justice League couldn’t possibly encapsulate or explore the story he envisioned for Superman. Jonathan Kent not only believes that the world isn’t ready for someone like Clark but sacrifices himself so that his son can remain hidden. When General Zod and his fellow outlaws invade Earth, Superman is forced into revealing himself.
2013’s Man of Steel establishes Clark Kent/Superman (Henry Cavill) as a Kryptonian who is sent from the heavens (literally) and must find his place among humanity. Provoked by nightmarish visions of an evil Superman, Bruce Wayne/Batman treats the “one percent chance” that Superman will use his power to wipe out the entire human race as an “absolute certainty.” Bruce is ultimately proven to be misguided right before Superman’s demise in the battle with Doomsday. Superman arc and the Synderverse were supposed to be further explored in Snyder’s five-film plan; however, tragedy, studio interference, and what has become known as “Josstice League,” derailed.
Clark, not only would’ve reconciled his two worlds but reaffirmed the decision to choose ours. To say any one film isn’t “enough movie” to cover this doesn’t do it justice.
For now, we finally have the first Snyder Cut, and, hopefully, that’s enough. For more on Zack Snyder’s Justice League, be sure to read our pieces.
