Zack Snyder says he called James Gunn to “wish all the best for him. I told him I wanted it to work”

Zack Snyder says he called James Gunn to “wish all the best for him. I told him I wanted it to work.”

He adds if Gunn invited him back to DC, he would only be interested in doing a true adaption of ‘DARK KNIGHT RETURNS’.

Superhero franchises have had a history with plenty of ups and downs. The deceased Snyderverse was one of those with troubles from day one. With that behind him, Zack Snyder has revealed that he called James Gunn when he heard the Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker was taking over DC. It was all in giving respect as the Justice League director called to “wish all the best” to his peer.

For now, though, Snyder has his hands full over at Netflix with Rebel Moon. The epic sci-fi tale is coming in two parts, with extended director’s cuts to follow. Plus, the future looks very bright, with Snyder recently opening up to our sister publication SFX magazine about the road ahead. 

Rebel Moon Part 1 arrives on Netflix this December 22, with a limited theatrical release from December 15. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Zack Snyder shed light on his reaction to James Gunn being the new Kevin Feige-like co-CEO of DC. Rather than be bitter, he called to say how much he “wanted it to work.”

With the studio’s universe in shambles from poor reception from fans and critics, box office earnings being inconsistent with a handful of hits, and a lack of cohesiveness, a new plan was needed. Peter Safran and The Suicide Squad director were signed as co-CEOs. It’s a similar two-pronged approach that Pixar employs; one leads the business side of things, while the other is more creatively focused. It means the death of the Snyderverse and a major reset, which The Flash was used as this device. Now, in 2025, when Superman: Legacy releases, the DCU will begin, and the DCEU will be officially in the rearview mirror.

The Dark Knight Returns, penned by Frank Miller with art from Miller and Klaus Janson, sees a much older version of Bruce Wayne come out of retirement and, among other things, fight Superman. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it shares a lot of DNA with Snyder’s Dawn of Justice – in fact, one shot in the movie even recreates the iconic Dark Knight Returns cover.