During his DC reign, Zack Snyder’s rather abrupt departure left many questioning if he’d ever return. Despite whispers of unfinished business, Snyder declared that the chapter was closed. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, it seems that one thread persists, the siren call of The Dark Knight Returns. The tale resonates with Snyder so much that he is ready to jump back in to adapt this to the big screens if DC ever calls him up.
Though Snyder remains adamant that the chapter is done for, there’s a glimmer of possibility. Should his dear friend James Gunn extend an offer, particularly one involving the adaptation of Frank Miller’s iconic work, Snyder might just find himself drawn back into the fold, ready to reignite the Bat-signal once more.
The Dark Knight Returns Adaptation Could Bring Zack Snyder Back to DC
Following his direction of Man of Steel in 2013 and the superhero showdown Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016, Zack Snyder was a natural choice to helm the Justice League. The film aimed to unite DC Comics’ iconic characters in a battle to save the world.
However, tragedy struck Snyder’s family during the initial filming stage in 2017 when his daughter, died by suicide. Initially considering continuing work on Justice League as a means of coping, Snyder later realized the immense toll it took. He stepped away in May 2017 to prioritize his family’s well-being. He revealed to The Hollywood Reporter,
The demands of this job are pretty intense. It is all-consuming. And in the last two months, I’ve come to the realization…I’ve decided to take a step back from the movie to be with my family, be with my kids, who really need me. They are all having a hard time. I’m having a hard time.
This resulted in Joss Whedon stepping in to fill the shoes. Now, with significant time passed by and DC undergoing a transformation into the DCU from the DCEU, speculation rises about Snyder’s potential return to the franchise under James Gunn’s leadership.
In a more recent, 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder hinted at the possibility. Although it all depends on if Gunn ever asks him to come back to DC, Snyder said he might think about making a The Dark Knight Returns movie. But he’d only do it if it stayed true to the original comic book.
What Is Zack Snyder Currently Working On?
Currently, Zack Snyder has his hands full with his ambitious project Rebel Moon, where he attempted to build a captivating world from scratch, brimming with stunning visuals and adrenaline-pumping action sequences. The two-part movie believed to be a part of something that is going to be a whole expansive universe, has captivated Snyder’s fanbase, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics.
Its triumph on the streaming giant Netflix is another feat it has achieved, as Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire soared to the top spot globally during the week of December 18-23, 2023, garnering a staggering 23.9 million views. Its dominance continued the following week, amassing an additional 34 million views as per IndieWire.
However, should the opportunity present itself, digging into The Dark Knight Returns adaption wouldn’t be a bad venture for Snyder. Originally published in 1986 across four issues, penned and illustrated by Frank Miller, it tells the tale of an aged Bruce Wayne returning as Batman to combat crime. Hailed as one of the best Batman narratives, its influence has spawned numerous adaptations across various media forms.
