Rumor: DCEU To Curtail Zack Snyder & David Ayer’s Roles Moving Forward

In 2013, Warner Bros. made good on its promise to kick off a cinematic franchise for DC Comics. Director Zack Snyder ushered Man of Steel into theaters, the first of several films the director would take on in the DC Extended Universe. However, if one report is right, the visionary may soon take some steps back from the DCEU.

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Earlier today, Mashable posted an in-depth article which reported both Zack and Deborah Snyder will take a “significantly smaller role” within the DCEU. Of course, the report is simply as rumor until Warner Bros. or Snyder’s rep confirm what Mashable’s sources have said, but the proposition has got fans buzzing.

According to the site, “multiple sources with knowledge of Warner Bros.’ plans say that as the DC Extended Universe moves forward, the Snyders will no longer have anything like the level of creative influence that got the franchise to this point.”

Earlier this year, fans learned the Snyders were walking back from Justice League and instating Joss Whedon to oversee the film’s post-production. The pair stepped away to spend time with loved ones following the tragic death of their 20-year-old daughter, and Warner Bros. stressed the Snyders would not leave the DCEU longterm.

Toby Emmerich, CCO of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, said, “the Snyders remain an important part of the Warner Bros. family and are actively involved…We are excited about our partnership and look forward to our continued collaboration.”

However, as the DCEU moves forward, the Snyders may take a backseat to the franchise’s direction.

Mashable also reported that another director’s future with the DCEU may be in question behind the scenes. David Ayer directed Suicide Squad to mixed reviews, and is currently slated to oversee Gotham City Sirens. However, Mashable reported their sources have heard “Ayer won’t ultimately be part” of the spin-off. The director’s reps openly denied the claim when asked, saying Gotham City Sirens is currently in development with Ayer on-board.

As the DCEU moves forward, Warner Bros. and DC Films will be looking for creators who can turn the franchise into a full-on rival of the MCU. Directors like Patty Jenkins have shown how right the DCEU can go with Wonder Woman, and Geoff Johns’ growing oversight on the DCEU will hopefully point it in the right direction. Now, it’s just a matter of whether how the Snyders will fit into the franchise’s future moving forward.

Justice League currently has a 4.16 out of 5 ComicBook.com User Anticipation rating making it the third most anticipated upcoming comic book movie among ComicBook.com readers. Let us know how excited you are for Justice League by giving the movie your own personal ComicBook.com User Anticipation Rating below. Justice League opens in theaters on November 17, 2017.

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In Justice League, fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman‘s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) enlists newfound ally Diana Prince to face an even greater threat. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to recruit a team to stand against this newly awakened enemy. Despite the formation of an unprecedented league of heroes — Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash — it may be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

Justice League is directed by Zack Snyder, from a screenplay by Chris Terrio, based on a story by Snyder and Terrio, Justice League stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Ciarán Hinds, Amy Adams, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J. K. Simmons.