Filmmaker Zack Snyder is addressing why his DC Extended Universe films diverged sharply from Marvel Studios’ box-office formula, comparing Marvel’s blockbuster structure to a predictable amusement park ride. According to an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder is currently promoting his low-budget independent drama The Last Photograph, which was shot in Colombia without green screens or slow motion.
Zack Snyder Explains Why He Rejected Marvel’s Formula
During the press tour reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder reflected on his tenure building the cinematic foundation for DC characters like Superman and Batman in films such as Man of Steel and Batman v Superman. According to Snyder, Marvel figured out how to bend its characters into a very marketable way. He described Marvel’s approach as functioning like an amusement park ride, featuring the ups, the drops, the kind of cruising part, and then another drop that leaves audiences feeling like, “Wow, that was crazy, that was awesome.”
Snyder stated that he had no interest in that, noting that he would rather just kind of talk about the mythology of the characters and maybe that’s not as fun. According to sources, Snyder acknowledged that skipping this theme-park formula likely contributed to the box-office gap between Marvel and DC’s outputs during that era. However, he maintained that chasing box-office parity was never really how he approached the work in the first place.
The Trade-Offs of Mythology Over Marketability in Superhero Cinema
Snyder’s creative philosophy treated icons like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman less as accessible action heroes trading quippy one-liners and more as modern mythological archetypes. Sources note that Snyder wanted to excavate the inner core of these figures, framing them in ways that drew a polarized response from critics and mainstream audiences alike.
Did you know? Zack Snyder performed multiple duties on his latest feature, The Last Photograph, not just as director but as cinematographer as well on the independent project.
While Marvel’s output consistently outgrossed DC’s during the same stretch, Snyder’s approach resulted in a starkly different viewing experience. Sources note that these contrasting philosophies have fueled endless online debate regarding superhero cinema legacies, even years after Snyder stepped away from the studio system.
Current Stance on James Gunn’s DC Universe and Upcoming Projects
Addressing the current state of the superhero franchise, Snyder revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he still has not watched James Gunn’s Superman film yet, explaining that he just hasn’t gotten around to it yet. Despite not seeing the film, Snyder quickly added he’s a supporter of Gunn’s and wants the DC division to do well.
Looking ahead, trade confirmations cited by The Hollywood Reporter indicate that Snyder is still set to remake John Carpenter’s classic Escape from New York which, like the original, will be set in 1997. Snyder praised the original film, stating that it is genre-defining and genre-defying at the same time because no one’s really been able to duplicate the kind of audacity that the movie has.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Zack Snyder say about Marvel movies?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Zack Snyder compared Marvel movies to an amusement park ride with ups, drops, cruising parts, and another drop, noting that he had no interest in that.
Has Zack Snyder seen James Gunn’s Superman?
What is Zack Snyder’s next film project?
Trade reports confirm that Snyder is still set to remake John Carpenter’s classic Escape from New York which, like the original, will be set in 1997.
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