Release the Snyder Cut

The Crazy True Story Behind the Fight that Saved Zack Snyder’s Justice League

By: Sean O'Connell

Narrated by: George Newbern

Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

We're currently in the golden age of superhero blockbusters. Movies like Black Panther, Wonder Woman, Joker, and Avengers: Endgame routinely break box office records and compete for Oscars. Yet, Zack Snyder's 2017 behemoth Justice League - a veritable sure bet at the Hollywood casino - tanked miserably, and the behind-the-scenes reasons for the movie's demise are fascinating.

The true story behind Justice League's failure is only half of the juicy narrative, though. Snyder - who left the project months before filming concluded - still fans the flames that surround the rumor of a "Snyder Cut" of the film. This allegedly is the version of the story he wanted to tell before the studio, Warner Bros., pulled him off of the project.

Pop-culture fans love a meaty mystery, and the controversy swirling around the lost Snyder Cut of Justice League has been captivating comic-book movie fans for years. Additionally, an army of passionate DC and Snyder fans are committed to getting the "Cut" released. Their stories are remarkable, and the book is just as much about the dedicated fans who make up the Snyder Cut movement as it is about the unreleased film. Their efforts finally paid off with the recent announcement that Snyder's cut will be released in 2021 by Warner Bros. and HBO Max. Release the Snyder Cut tells the entire story.

©2021 Sean O'Connell (P)2021 Tantor

Welcome to Snyder Cut 101

George Newbern is a fantastic narrator (I'm quite a fan of his reading of "A Man Called Ove.") Since the release of this book, I would add there is a great pairing of this book with the Vanity Fair article released in March 2021 for anyone wanting to get the most complete picture of this behind-the-scenes story.

Below is my review for the print version of the book:

This book provides an effective and efficient primer/summary of the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Warner Brothers Pictures' DC Extended Universe film franchise, and more specifically, the troubled 2016-17 production of the film "Justice League" and the fan movement that followed to fight for the release of the director's original film.

Insiders may not find much new to glean from the contents of this book, but the book succeeds in providing several things for the uninitiated or casual fan:

1) What happened with the movie "Justice League" (2017)?
2) What is "the Snyder Cut"?
3) Why does it matter, especially to the group of global fans identified as the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut Movement?
4) Why and how have those fans of director Zack Snyder been so vocal for the last three years, and what did they accomplish with their commitment?

The story is fleshed out with interviews from various fans who contributed to release efforts from 2017-2021 and also an exclusive interview from director Zack Snyder himself.

With the release of "Zack Snyder's Justice League" (the official title of the Snyder Cut) imminent on HBO Max in March 2021, this is a quick, breezy read to get you, your friends, or your family members caught up on three years of drama, rumor, and passion.

Full disclosure: I was interviewed for this book, so I am closely connected with the subject matter. I was given the opportunity to read and review this book by means of a digital ARC provided by the author.