Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the four-hour director’s cut of the 2017 superhero film Justice League. Following Superman’s sacrifice, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince work to assemble a team of metahumans to stop Steppenwolf and his forces before they can unite the Mother Boxes and threaten Earth.
Movie Details
| Movie Title | Zack Snyder’s Justice League |
|---|---|
| Original Title | Zack Snyder’s Justice League |
| Release Date | March 18, 2021 |
| Release Year | 2021 |
| Runtime | 242 minutes |
| Certificate / Age Rating | R |
| Status | Released |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Superhero |
| Director | Zack Snyder |
| Writers | Chris Terrio, Zack Snyder, Will Beall |
| Producers | Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder |
| Production Companies | Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Films, Atlas Entertainment, The Stone Quarry |
| Distributor | HBO Max |
| Budget | Approximately $70 million |
| Box Office | $16.4 million (DVD/Blu-Ray disc sales revenue) |
Trailer
Cast
- Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne / Batman
- Henry Cavill as Clark Kent / Superman
- Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
- Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman
- Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash
- Ray Fisher as Victor Stone / Cyborg
- Amy Adams as Lois Lane
- Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth
- Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor
- Diane Lane as Martha Kent
- Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta
- J.K. Simmons as Commissioner James Gordon
- Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf
- Amber Heard as Mera
- Joe Morton as Silas Stone
- Willem Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko
- Jared Leto as the Joker
- Ray Porter as Darkseid
- Peter Guinness as DeSaad
- Kiersey Clemons as Iris West
- Harry Lennix as General Calvin Swanwick / Martian Manhunter
- Joe Manganiello as Slade Wilson / Deathstroke
- Billy Crudup as Henry Allen
- Robin Wright as Antiope
- David Thewlis as Ares
- Russell Crowe as Jor-El (voice)
- Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent (voice/archive material)
- Zheng Kai as Ryan Choi
- Lisa Loven Kongsli as Menalippe
- Ann Ogbomo as Philippus
- Samantha Win as Euboea
- Brooke Ence as Penthesilea
- Sergi Constance as Zeus
- Aurore Lauzeral as Artemis
- Julian Lewis Jones as the Ancient Atlantean King
- Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Detective Crispus Allen
- Karen Bryson as Elinore Stone
Story / Plot
After Superman sacrifices himself at the end of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the world is left vulnerable to a powerful extraterrestrial threat. Bruce Wayne is determined to ensure that Superman’s sacrifice was not meaningless, so he joins forces with Diana Prince to find other extraordinary individuals who can help defend Earth.
Bruce and Diana recruit Barry Allen, Victor Stone and Arthur Curry, while Superman’s absence leaves the planet exposed to Steppenwolf, an ancient warrior from Apokolips seeking redemption in the service of Darkseid. Steppenwolf begins collecting three powerful Mother Boxes, which can combine into a force known as the Unity.
As the heroes struggle to work together, Victor Stone’s connection to the Mother Box becomes increasingly important. His ability to understand and manipulate technology makes him essential to stopping Steppenwolf’s plan.
The team eventually discovers that Superman’s return may be their only chance of defeating the invading forces. Using a Mother Box, they revive Clark Kent, but his memories and emotions are temporarily confused, leading to a confrontation with the League.
After Superman regains control of himself, the heroes unite for their final battle against Steppenwolf. The Flash uses the Speed Force to alter the outcome of the battle, while Cyborg attempts to separate the Mother Boxes before the Unity can completely transform Earth.
Superman ultimately joins the fight and overwhelms Steppenwolf. Wonder Woman delivers the final blow, and Aquaman helps send Steppenwolf’s body through the Boom Tube back toward Darkseid’s forces.
Ending Explained
Spoiler warning: The following section explains the ending of Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
How Does the Justice League Defeat Steppenwolf?
The final battle takes place at the Russian nuclear plant where Steppenwolf has brought the three Mother Boxes together. Cyborg enters the Mother Box system and attempts to separate the boxes before they can complete the Unity.
The situation becomes desperate, but Barry Allen enters the Speed Force and travels backward through time. This gives the team another opportunity to change the outcome of the battle.
What Happens to Steppenwolf?
Superman arrives at the battlefield and defeats Steppenwolf with overwhelming force. Wonder Woman then strikes Steppenwolf with her sword, severing his head. Aquaman knocks his body through the Boom Tube, sending it back toward Darkseid’s forces.
What Happens to Darkseid?
Darkseid had been waiting for the Mother Boxes to create the Unity and open the way to Earth. After the heroes prevent his invasion, he tells Desaad that they will return to Earth using the old ways of conquest.
The ending therefore leaves Darkseid’s larger plan unresolved. The film establishes him as the larger threat behind Steppenwolf’s invasion.
Who Is Martian Manhunter?
Near the end of the movie, General Calvin Swanwick is revealed to actually be J’onn J’onzz, also known as Martian Manhunter. He approaches Bruce Wayne in the form of Martian Manhunter and tells him that they should work together against the coming threat.
What Is the Knightmare Future?
Bruce experiences visions of a possible future in which Earth has fallen under Darkseid’s influence. Batman, Mera, Deathstroke, Cyborg and other surviving characters are part of a resistance fighting to reclaim the planet.
The Knightmare sequence also introduces the Joker, who confronts Batman and discusses the deaths of people close to him. The sequence suggests a possible future rather than showing the main events of the film’s present timeline.
Does Superman Stay Alive?
Yes. Superman is successfully revived and eventually regains control of himself. He returns to the fight against Steppenwolf and becomes one of the key reasons the Justice League is able to defeat him.
Where to Watch Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Availability varies by country and can change over time. The following are official homepages for legal platforms associated with the movie:
- Max
- JioHotstar
- Amazon Prime Video
- Apple TV
- JustWatch – Check current legal availability by location.
Note: Streaming, rental and purchase availability may differ depending on your country or territory.
Franchise / Connections
| Franchise | DC Extended Universe (DCEU) |
|---|---|
| Prequel | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) |
| Sequel | No direct sequel to Zack Snyder’s Justice League was released. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is Zack Snyder’s four-hour director’s cut of the 2017 film Justice League, released in 2021.
How long is Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
The movie has a runtime of 242 minutes, or approximately 4 hours and 2 minutes.
Is Zack Snyder’s Justice League different from the 2017 Justice League?
Yes. Zack Snyder’s version contains substantial differences in story, character development, visual effects, music, scenes and overall structure compared with the 2017 theatrical release.
Who directed Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
The movie was directed by Zack Snyder.
Who are the main members of the Justice League?
The main team consists of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg.
Who is the main villain in Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
Steppenwolf serves as the primary villain of the film, while Darkseid is established as the larger threat behind his mission.
Is Darkseid in Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
Yes. Darkseid appears in the film and is established as the powerful ruler behind Steppenwolf’s mission.
Who plays Darkseid?
Ray Porter provides the performance and voice for Darkseid.
Who plays the Joker in Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
Jared Leto reprises his role as the Joker in the Knightmare sequence.
Is Martian Manhunter in Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
Yes. Harry Lennix’s character Calvin Swanwick is revealed to be J’onn J’onzz, also known as Martian Manhunter.
Does Batman appear in Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
Yes. Ben Affleck returns as Bruce Wayne / Batman and plays a central role in forming the Justice League.
Where can I legally watch Zack Snyder’s Justice League?
Legal availability varies by territory. Check services such as Max, JioHotstar, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, or use JustWatch to see which legal option is currently available in your location.
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