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DCEU and Warner Bros. stalwart, Zack Snyder, has told THR that he is stepping down from directing Justice League. The move comes after the tragic death of his daughter; Autumn Snyder took her own life in March this year. The death has been kept a closely guarded secret while the family grieves, but Snyder has now chosen to make it public knowledge since it forms the basis of his decision. His wife, Deborah Snyder, serves as a producer on Justice League. She will also step down in order that the couple can spend time with their other kids, and heal as a family.
“In my mind, I thought it was a cathartic thing to go back to work, to just bury myself and see if that was way through it,” Snyder told THR. “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.”
Warner Bros. are fully behind Snyder’s decision, and Joss Whedon will take over directorial duties for Justice League with immediate effect. The movie is said to be in post-production. It was put to Snyder that the release date could be changed, but he didn’t want that to happen. Having brought Whedon on board already to write additional scenes for Justice League, Snyder realized the scenes needed filming in England, and didn’t have any desire to leave home. In an emotional statement, Snyder explained that his family must come first; a sentiment we can all agree with:
“Here’s the thing, I never planned to make this public. I thought it would just be in the family, a private matter, our private sorrow that we would deal with. When it became obvious that I need to take break, I knew there would be narratives created on the internet. They’ll do what they do. The truth is…I’m past caring about that kind of thing now. I want the movie to be amazing and I’m a fan, but that all pales pretty quickly in comparison. I know the fans are going to be worried about the movie but there are seven other kids that need me. In the end, it’s just a movie. It’s a great movie. But it’s just a movie.”
Snyder says that his daughter’s favorite quote was “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will,” from Chris Palahniuk. While Snyder’s decision was tough to make, it is undoubtedly the right one. While he spends time with his family, he can rest in the knowledge that the movies he has made, and will make in the future, will certainly live forever.
(Featured Image via Comic Book Movie)
