Zack Snyder's Justice League Opening Scene Includes Lex Luthor

By Savannah Sanders Updated:
Zack Snyder Cut Justice League Lex Luthor

The road to the release of Zack Snyder's Justice League has been a long and surprising one. But as the release date for the unconventional, yet highly-anticipated project approaches, fans are continuing to learn more about what Snyder has in store ranging from the surprise inclusion of Jared Leto's Joker to additional scenes with Darkseid and Batman

For those counting down the days until Zack Snyder's Justice League finally debuts on HBO Max on March 18, Snyder offered a peek at what audiences can expect in the film's opening.

HOW IT ALL BEGINS

In an interview with I Minutemen, Zack Snyder showed storyboards depicting the beginning of the film around the 10:00 mark. He then described as such: 

“This is the beginning of the movie You see Superman... We go through, this is all the lightning, the kind of... Orange lightning that comes off of Doomsday, you know when he's 'YARGH!' If you notice there was also in [Batman v. Superman]... There was also some sort of gravity issue like these rocks were floating and all sorts of things were happening... And then we see the, as we drive in.. That's Superman there as we drive in the, he's pulling the... Bone fragment out of Superman's chest and he cries out."

Let's be honest. It doesn't take much to improve on the infamous Superman opener from 2017's Justice League. But from what he had to both say and show in this interview, it's clear Snyder has a much different direction and tone to the beginning of this story.

Also, fans should appreciate hearing how he's incorporating his past films from this universe into this opener indicating will see more continuity in his storytelling despite the fact Warner Bros. is considering his cut a stand-alone project. 

Zack Snyder on I Minutemen

Snyder continued by explaining:

"Now, if you notice also in BvS there's a very audible cry that you hear when you 'ZSHU!' you can hear it's Superman's cry now... The cry goes across, this is Heroes Park, this is the Containment Centre where Lex is. And then you see Lex communing with Steppenwolf... And then this is Cyborg, he's in his apartment and you see the push in on the closet and then you see see some Football trophy..."

In 2017's Justice League, Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor was limited to an end-credits appearance, even though fans now know Snyder had originally intended Luthor to play a more important role in the film. The fact Snyder has Luthor front and center at the start of the film begs the question of whether the character has an even more integral role in Snyder's cut than initially believed?

Zack Snyder on I Minutemen

 

WHAT MORE LEX LUTHOR COULD MEAN

More Lex Luthor in Zack Snyder's Justice League is yet another connection to Snyder's Batman v Superman, and it shows that the director is finishing the overarching story he set out to create. It's also yet another indication of how different this version of Justice League will be in comparison to what audiences saw in theaters in 2017.

Snyder has already said he hasn't used any footage from the theatrical release. Additionally, mini-teasers and released images have already revealed characters fans weren't expecting to see such as the Joker and Granny Goodness. Clearly, Snyder has a much different plan for the Justice League villains, and audiences should only expect the unexpected.

A final trailer for Zack Snyder's Justice League will arrive on Valentine's Day before the cut drops on HBO Max on March 18. 

- About The Author: Savannah Sanders
Savannah Sanders joined The Direct as a writer in 2020. In addition to writing for The Direct's Star Wars, Marvel, and DC teams, Savannah specializes in the relationship between Disney's blockbuster franchises and the Disney Parks.