Zack Snyder's Justice League dream, a trilogy fans will perhaps never see

In a revelation that's stirred the cauldron of fandom, Zack Snyder disclosed the grand blueprint of a Justice League trilogy that might have redefined superhero epics. A lingering what-if continues to haunt the corridors of comic book movie lore as Snyder sketches a vision that extends far beyond the 2017 release, encompassing an entire war with the tyrant Darkseid. Snyder’s first installment ended on a cliffhanger that pointed to an expansive storyline ahead. "The end of the movie, where we left it, was what we had originally intended," Deborah Snyder, the film's producer, disclosed, hinting at the meticulous plans for Justice League’s future that audiences were privy to but never experienced in full.

At the core of Snyder's narrative was the Knightmare scenario, a desolate future where Batman grapples with visions of a world ruined and Superman gone rogue. It was a plot point that would have tied the trilogy together, each chapter unraveling the mystery of these apocalyptic premonitions and their link to the Anti-Life Equation—a concept that would have seen Superman succumbing to evil under Darkseid's manipulation.

A love affair

In a turn of events that would have caused ripples through the DC Universe, Snyder planned a controversial love affair between Lois Lane and Bruce Wayne. A twist vetoed by the studio but daring in its implications for the characters involved. It’s these bold narrative strokes that fueled Snyder's storyline. "Bruce hesitates in a crucial moment and Lois dies, opening up Superman to the powers of Anti-Life, and ushering in the apocalypse," Snyder mused, outlining a pivotal moment that never made it to the screen.

Also read: Martian Manhunter's secret origin in Snyder's cut: A hidden narrative unraveled

Batman and his ensemble of heroes and villains would have then navigated through Darkseid's hellish tableau, culminating in a time-travel quest to avert disaster. Here, the Joker emerges as an unlikely ally, his inclusion a final bid by Snyder to explore the iconic rivalry: "I’ve always wanted to do a scene with Batman and Joker," Deborah Snyder remarked, capturing the would-have-been moments of the trilogy.

Also read: Zack Snyder's heart-wrenching family tragedy shakes Hollywood 

Snyder's unseen vision and the legacy of what If

Though the chance to witness Snyder's complete vision for Justice League appears slim, the details he’s shared paint a rich tapestry of what could have been—a tale of sacrifice, love, and redemption at a cosmic scale. The notion of Superman's son inheriting the Batman mantle adds a layer of depth to the legacy Snyder envisaged, a testament to the enduring allure of these characters and the worlds they inhabit. As we look back, Zack Snyder's trilogy remains a mythic narrative in the annals of superhero cinema—a grand saga of gods and monsters, love and loss, war and peace. And while the reel of this trilogy may never spin in a theater, its echoes resonate, leaving us to ponder the eternal question of what if?

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)