There’s plenty to unpack in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and fans have thoroughly combed the footage for every tiny detail and Easter egg. It seems they all missed one important story point though, one that the Director recently confirmed.
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Snyder’s Man of Steel caught some backlash in how it handled the gravity and consequence of death, specifically to all the civilians who died in the climactic fight against Zod. Fans felt the hero didn’t reflect enough how much those events affected him, but Zack Snyder confirmed a fan’s theory was right on the money and reveals the weight of those decisions is there.
Instagram user The Kingslayer posted his thoughts on both BVS and Man of Steel (via ScreenRant), including how he interpreted a few particular scenes. He said “Clark just trying to do the right thing but everyone just refers to him as some ‘higher power’ as they say and the day of the dead partakers put their hands on him, almost as if he’s a god they could finally meet. Plus the symbolism of Clark being dragged down by the people who died during him and Zod’s fight, symbolized by people dressed in skeletons, honoring the dead (maybe that’s just my overthinking), still, superduper scene.”
Snyder commented on the post, confirming Kingslayer’s theory with a simple “No no that’s right”.
The constant presence of skull imagery is purposeful, both in the crowd scene and in the dream scene that Zod shows Clark when Clark is swallowed up by a mound of skulls. The film opts for a visual metaphor as opposed to exposition, and for some that is enough. For others, maybe more analytical dialogue is preferred, but you can’t say Snyder ignored those ramifications any longer.
It remains to be seen whether Snyder will handle Superman’s rebirth in the same way, bringing the weight of those deaths with him after he returns in Justice League. You can find the official synopsis for the movie below.
In Justice League, fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already 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, and features an ensemble cast that includes Ben Affleck (Batman), Henry Cavill(Superman), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Ezra Miller (The Flash), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Ray Fisher (Cyborg), Ciarán Hinds (Steppenwolf), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Diane Lane (Martha Kent), Jeremy Irons (Alfred Pennyworth), J.K. Simmons (Commissioner Gordon), Amber Heard (Mera), Kiersey Clemons (Iris West) and Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor).
Wonder Woman is in theaters now, followed by Justice League on November 17, 2017; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020. The Flash, The Batman, Dark Universe and Man of Steel 2 are currently without a release dates.
MORE JUSTICE LEAGUE: Zack Snyder Commemorates Man Of Steel’s 4th Anniversary / Junkie XL Issues Statement On Being Replaced On Justice League / Justice League Hires Danny Elfman To Compose Score
