Should Zack Snyder Direct The Batman?

DC Movie fans recently got a major upset when it was announced that Ben Affleck had dropped out of directing The Batman. Since then, there’s been buzz about who could step in to take over the director’s chair, with a shortlist of possible directors having recently been revealed.

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However, while DC Films and Warner Bros. are back on the search for a Batman director, there’s been growing (rumor?)(fans wishes?) for Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Justice League director Zack Snyder to return and direct The Batman.

The real question on a lot of people’s minds is: Should Zack Snyder direct The Batman?

He’s Equipped For It

The director who takes over The Batman will need to be well-versed in the happenings of the DCEU – including Warner Bros.’ process for development, promotion, and all the coordinating logistics between Batman and the other films in the DCEU.

The studio could go out and spend the time educating and training a new candidate – or simply pass the job to the guy who has built most of the DCEU so far – and is primed and ready to keep doing so.

Snyder is set for a non-DC film called The Last Photograph, and was then set to direct the Justice League sequel. With Justice League 2 being delayed to make room for The Batman, it would be easy for him replace the team-up sequel with the Batman solo movie.

It’s The Obvious Thing That’s Never Happened

Already around the Internet there are major trades (like THR) writing up op-eds that all basically say the same thing: Directing The Batman is what Snyder has been working up to, all along.

It’s clear from the level of attention and detail put into Ben Affleck’s Batman during Batman v Superman that Snyder has a vision for Batman in the DCEU, and a deep love of the character, his mythos, and iconography. Rather than let all that passion go to waste, it should be directed toward the Batman movie Snyder has so obviously wanted to make.

It’s Where His Skills Belong

Even the biggest Man of Steel fans can admit that Zack Snyder would’ve probably been a better fit for a Batman film than the Superman franchise. Man of Steel and Batman v Superman both come under heavy criticism for their respective depictions of a dour and confused Superman – characterizations that would be perfect for Batman.

On the technical side, Snyder’s visual iconography, darker color palettes, and penchant for brutal violence are also things most fans would agree are more at home in the world Batman than in the bright world of Superman.

He’s Delivered The Best Batman Action Ever

Despite what you may want to say about Zack Sndyer’s DC Films, it is generally agreed upon that he delivered the best Batman movie action fans have ever seen.

The warehouse scene in Batman v Superman showed what happens when Snyder’s fight chroeography and action directing prowess is applied in more realistic context, and it was awesome.

If you loved the Batman action scenes in Batman v Superman, then it should be a no-brainer to extend that goodness by having Snyder direct an entire Batman movie.

He Needs to Nail the Character’s Core Essence

It’s sad (but true) to say: the Gotham TV series has depicted Batman in a better fashion than the DC Extended Universe has.

Gotham has now established young Bruce Wayne’s epic decision to never kill in his pursuit of justice; that’s a core value of the character that Zack Snyder totally missed in Batman v Superman, as Ben Affleck’s Batman racked up a hefty body count during the movie.

Snyder didn’t get Superman right the first time out (Man of Steel), angering fans due to Superman’s lack of concern for civilian collateral damage, and his uncharacteristic decision to snap General Zod’s neck. Instead of running from that mistake, Snyder made it a central focus of Batman v Superman‘s storyline. By the time The Batman comes around he’d have the same opportunity for course-correction: making Batman’s commitment to restraint part of the story.

It’s good for the franchise and would be a geat chance a redemption for Snyder.