7 DC Movies Zack Snyder Should Direct For James Gunn's DCU
Image via MovieStillsDB
Published Aug 6, 2026, 5:16 PM EDT
Adrienne Tyler is a movies & TV features writer, with a focus on horror. She has written for Netflix, FanSided, & more. She was a regular guest on the Netfreaks podcast and was a YouTuber at some point. Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once.
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Although Zack Snyder hasn’t returned to the superhero genre yet, if he does join James Gunn’s DC Universe at some point, there are some projects he would be perfect for. The superhero genre is what it is now thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the now-defunct DC Extended Universe. A key player in the latter was Zack Snyder, who kicked off the DCEU with Man of Steel, setting the tone for the rest of this universe and introducing Henry Cavill’s version of Clark Kent/Superman.
After Man of Steel, Snyder continued his DCEU work with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League (which he co-wrote but had to step down as director), and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. However, after many misfires, the DCEU ended in 2023 with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and Snyder moved on to other projects outside the superhero genre, such as both Rebel Moon movies. Now, while Snyder doesn’t have any superhero projects lined up for the near future, he has fueled speculation about it with a visit to Warner Bros. (via Instagram).
Snyder simply shared that he hung out with “a bunch of amazing people” at Warner Bros., and gave no more context, but that was enough to spark speculation about his possible return to superhero movies. If Snyder does join Gunn’s DC Universe at some point, there are some movies he would be perfect for, some of them confirmed projects that, at the time of writing, are looking for a director, and others that would bring some closure to his past DC movies.
Teen Titans
The Teen Titans have found great success in animation, both on TV and film, but they have yet to join the live-action trend – luckily, the DC Universe already has a live-action Teen Titans movie among its plans. A Teen Titans live-action movie was revealed to be in development in 2024, with Ana Nogueira on board to write the screenplay. However, the movie stopped being a priority once Nogueira started working on the DC Universe’s Wonder Woman movie, so Teen Titans hasn’t found its director yet.
Many of the members of Teen Titans have been sidekicks to members of Justice League, so it feels like a natural step for Zack Snyder’s next superhero movie. Snyder could give a darker, more grounded, and emotionally deeper tone to the Teen Titans after their much lighter and colorful style in animated shows and movies, and would give Snyder a second chance at a movie starring a superhero team.
Bane and Deathstroke
Another confirmed project in development at the DC Universe is Bane and Deathstroke. The movie was announced in 2024, with Matthew Orton writing the script. Not much has been revealed about the project since then, except for the implied villain team-up from the title, and in early 2026, Greg Mottola was a frontrunner to direct the movie. At the time of writing, however, Bane and Deathstroke still has no director, but it’s said to now be a priority for DC Universe.
A movie focusing on two villains would be an interesting one to see in Snyder’s style. During his time at the DCEU, Snyder’s movies were focused on superheroes, so one with villains on the lead would be a fun change. Both Bane and Deathstroke have already had live-action versions, with Deathstroke showing up in the post-credits scene of Justice League, and he later returned in Snyder’s cut, so it’s only fair that Snyder finally has the chance to develop the character.
Lobo
Lobo is an alien who works as an interstellar mercenary and bounty hunter, thus being an antihero. The one rule Lobo follows is that, once he takes a contract, he finishes no matter the risks. Lobo has unbelievable strength, durability, an accelerated healing factor, and in some versions he has shown superior senses. A live-action movie centered on Lobo has been teased for years, with one being announced in 2009 with Guy Ritchie as director. A Lobo movie has since gone through many changes, but it’s not confirmed to happen.
However, after Jason Momoa’s performance as Lobo in the DC Universe’s Supergirl, he might have more chances to finally star in his own movie. A Lobo movie would have to be dark, with intense action scenes, and have to explore the unpleasant sides of the character, which would make it a perfect Snyder movie.
The Atom
Atom might not be a well-known DC superhero, but those who watched Snyder’s Justice League know that there’s some unfinished business with him. The version of Atom that would be perfect for a Snyder movie is Ryan Choi, who, in the comics, is the longtime protégé of Ray Palmer, a.k.a. Atom. After Palmer’s disappearance, Choi takes his place, and as the Atom, he can change size, mass, and weight with the help of the Quantum Bio-Belt.
Now, Choi was set to appear in Justice League, played by Zheng Kai, but his scenes were cut – however, Snyder’s Justice League did justice to him, and he was included. The character’s inclusion in Justice League was supposed to set up his spinoff, but it never happened. The DC Universe could finally give Choi/Atom a chance, through which it could also give Snyder an opportunity to finish what he started.
An Animated Justice League Continuation
via MovieStillsDBYears after the release of Snyder’s Justice League cut, everything around it is still a somewhat sensitive topic for fans of it and the DCEU’s Snyderverse, and it’s understandable. Snyder had big plans for his take on Justice League, which couldn’t be completed, so fans still wonder what they could have been like and where the story could have gone. Now, even though the DC Universe has been mostly about live-action projects, it does have an animated show thanks to Creature Commandos, so it could also have an animated movie at some point.
An animated Justice League movie could give Snyder’s Justice League plans the closure they need, and it would give him a lot more creative liberty than a live-action movie. The one detail that would have to be sorted out is the movie’s place within the DC Universe continuity, unless it’s sent to live in the Elseworlds branch.
A New Watchmen Movie
One of Snyder’s most notable movies is Watchmen, released in 2009, thus not being part of any major superhero universe. Watchmen has been praised for its tone, faithfulness to the source material, performances, and cinematography, even if the story itself had some flaws. Still, Watchmen is regarded among the best superhero movies of all time, but it never got a proper continuation.
Now, Snyder wouldn’t necessarily have to make a Watchmen sequel, and could instead make a new adaptation of the comic books, with a new cast, story, and set within the DC Universe. This would expand Gunn’s DC Universe into darker and more mature territory, attracting a much wider audience.
The Dark Knight Returns
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was heavily inspired by Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns comic book miniseries, but Snyder is interested in properly adapting the story. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2023, Snyder shared that, although he’s done with superhero movies, the only way he could be convinced to return to it is if he could make a true adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns.
Snyder’s take on Batman, played by Ben Affleck, is a divisive one, but the truth is that the so-called “Batfleck” didn’t have enough time in the DCEU to be properly developed, and the constant change of directors left the audience with an inconsistent portrayal of the character. Zack Snyder, then, deserves a second chance at a Batman movie, and what better than giving him the chance to adapt a story he’s passionate about, even if it’s sent to the Elseworlds branch for continuity reasons.
Sources: Instagram/Zack Snyder, The Hollywood Reporter.
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First Film Man of Steel
First TV Show Peacemaker
Cast Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Zachary Levi, Dwayne Johnson, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor, Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Xolo Mariduena
Character(s) Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam
Created by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
Movie(s) Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Zack Snyder's Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Brave and the Bold
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
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Birthdate March 1, 1966
Birthplace Green Bay, WI, USA
Height 6 Feet 1 Inch
Notable Projects Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen, Sucker Punch, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Zack Snyder's Justice League, Army of the Dead, Rebel Moon, Twilight of the Gods
Discover the latest news and filmography for Zack Snyder, known for 300 and Justice League.
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