Writer/Director Kevin Smith has confirmed the existence of the ‘Snyder Cut’ of Justice League and thinks that it should be released. Smith, who made his big-screen debut all the way back in 1994 with the ultra-low-budget comedy Clerks is returning to his View Askewniverse with Jay & Silent Bob Reboot for the first time since 2006’s Clerks II.

After directing both Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Zack Snyder was immediately set to follow both of those with Justice League. He ultimately had to step down midway into production, however, due to tragic circumstances. Directorial duties then passed to Joss Whedon (The Avengers), who helmed extensive reshoots and made numerous changes to the plot. In the wake of the film’s underwhelming reception, numerous fans joined forces to call for Snyder’s original version to be released. A member of that vocal group recently even made and released an edited version of Justice League’s opening scene. The group’s collective efforts culminated in a huge campaign at San Diego Comic-Con.

Speaking with CinemaBlend, Smith has confirmed that such a cut does indeed exist. He said, “I’ve not seen it firsthand. And also to be clear, I know Zack, but it’s not like, ‘We’re f*cking tight, son!’ … That being said, I’ve spoken now to enough people at various levels in that production. There IS a Snyder cut. For sure. That’s not a mythical beast. It exists.” The statement comes on the back of Snyder’s own confirmation. Smith went on to clarify that the film is far from complete, with many of the VFX not yet added. That being said, he believes that wouldn’t be a problem for most fans, saying:

In recent years, Smith has further cultivated his already-passionate following with various podcasts and stand-up specials, while simultaneously producing passion projects like Tusk and Yoga Hosers. He also made the move to television, directing episodes of both The Flash and Supergirl. That, coupled with his work on various comic books, puts him within the circles of both DC and Warner Bros. It was also recently revealed that Smith had reconnected with Ben Affleck - who, after making his debut in Smith’s earlier films, went on to play Batman in Justice League. They will both be seen together in Jay & Silent Bob Reboot, which sees the two iconic stoners (who debuted in Clerks and have been a recurring Smith feature ever since) venture to Hollywood in order to once again prevent a movie based on their in-world comic likenesses from being made.

“I think the audience now, particularly the audience that would consume the Snyder Cut and discuss it at great length, can watch a workprint. They can watch a work-in-progress and fill in the blanks in their heads. They could shoot a version of that flick where, you know, they put Snyder into it explaining what would have gone here, what went there.”

Though the DCEU has ventured in a direction very different from Snyder’s initial five-movie plan - including infinitely more lighthearted fare like Shazam! - it’s difficult to deny that it would make sense to release the ‘Snyder Cut’ even just on a financial level. The passionate following for such a release is clearly there, even if it’s only released on DVD and Blu-ray, doing nothing to alter the current trajectory of their films. Whether or not Warner Bros. surrenders to that demand or continues to double-down on the theatrical version remains to be seen. Whatever the case, the Justice League campaign has added yet another vocal supporter to their corner.

More: Justice League: Every DC Character Cut From Zack Snyder’s Original Version

Source: CinemaBlend

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