Zack Snyder’s Justice League filled in the narrative gaps created by Joss Whedon in the 2017 version of the superhero team-up movie. The DC Comics spectacle, which was released on HBO Max last month at four-hours long, introduced a brand new villain to the fold, Darkseid. On top of wanting to conquer the entire universe, Darkseid was searching for the Anti-Life Equation, a hidden primal power that grants its user the ability to enslave all life. The flashback sequences detailed by Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) revealed Darkseid had found the Anti-Life Equation on Earth thousands of years ago, but after being defeated, inexplicably forgot where it was.
It was not until halfway through the film that villain Steppenwolf told his master he had rediscovered the power on Earth that Darkseid then recalled its location.
Some fans questioned how Darkseid forgot where his ultimate weapon was, with one writing: “If Darkseid was only ever defeated on the one planet in the universe that (for some reason) contains the anti-life equation… how did he just forget where it was?”
Another said: “How exactly did DarkSeid forget where he put the anti-life equation and the mother boxes? They are on the only planet that ever resisted him, so you’d think he’d remember that.” (sic)
A third agreed: “My biggest problem with it: why did Darkseid forget which planet he had left the motherboxes (and found the anti-life equation) on? Did no one in his army save the coordinates?”
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Snyder has now spoken up on what actually went on with Darkseid and the location of the Anti-Life Equation.
Speaking out on messenger Vero, Snyder said: “He almost died when he returned to Apokolips.
“He was in a fight for power and much time passed before he was in a position of power again, and by then all who had been with him had been slayed.” (sic)
While it’s certainly a tenuous reason, it does at least explain why Darkseid was not too interested in Earth until Steppenwolf mentioned the formula.
Speaking to IGN before his rebooted film was released, Snyder said: “The reality is, as far as I know, there’s no interest and or appetite to do more of these movies from Warner Bros, with me anyway.”
WarnerMedia Studios CEO Ann Sarnoff also commented on the director’s vision being a one-off scenario.
She told Variety: “I appreciate that they love Zack’s work and we are very thankful for his many contributions to DC. We’re just so happy that he could bring his cut of the Justice League to life because that wasn’t in the plan until about a year ago. With that comes the completion of his trilogy.
“We’re very happy we’ve done this, but we’re very excited about the plans we have for all the multi-dimensional DC characters that are being developed right now.”
Insider Grace Randolph has since claimed the ongoing #RestoreTheSnyderVerse campaign is working and could begin a push to reinstate the SnyderVerse on HBO.
She said: “As I’ve been saying, if #SnyderVerse moves forward it will be on #HBOMax as a series, under #HBO’s creative leadership. (Like Watchmen).
“As I’ve been telling you all along the SnyderVerse will very most likely continue on HBO Max.
“Now, of course, Jason Kilar could force Warner Bros’ movie division to do the SnyderVerse. But why would he do that, especially when HBO Max is the one that needs the help and needs the boost?”
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is available on NOW in the UK, and HBO Max in the US.
