As he lives and breathes, Henry Cavill may arguably be the best Superman to have graced the screen in the complete history of comic book live-action adaptations. Zack Snyder’s 2013 film, Man of Steel not only established the DC Extended Universe but brought forth an era of superhero movies that could be marveled at and render awe-inspiring cinematography on film while simultaneously staying true to the comic narrative.
Also read: Man of Steel: Why It’s Better Than You Remember
The post-Snyderian DC universe may not be as gleefully savage and ruthless but it still incurred a massive amount of potential from the David Ayer rendition of 2016’s Suicide Squad. Linked to Snyder’s DC universe in the sense that Ben Affleck connects the two as their designated Batman, a new movement has graced the internet and social media screens in recent days called #ReleaseTheAyerCut.
Related article: Suicide Squad: Scott Eastwood Reveals Ayer Cut Had More Character Depth
David Ayer Fandom Unleashes Movement for the Ayer Cut
Warner Bros. has recently undergone massive shifts in leadership and management and faced with an onslaught of legal trouble and creative table drama, the studio might be inclined to buckle under public pressure. Already, WB is under threat of mass boycott and negative critical reception of their movie, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and Amber Heard’s extensive and active participatory role in it. However, more important issues include the Ezra Miller controversies which keep instigating mass sentiments and resentment with each passing day.
Among all the drama, a tweet filtering itself onto the timeline of DC watchmen from David Ayer has found itself on solid ground as fans have used this opportunity of currently riding high on the success of their #ReleasetheSnyderCut movement to their benefit. Ayer’s Suicide Squad is drastically different from the theatrical version, in fact, “Apples and oranges” cites the director. The theatrical version which underwent severe post-production editing and consequently arrived as a watered-down movie brings to mind the frightening similarity to Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Ayer recently also confirmed via Twitter that the film needs some additional VFX work (again, similar to what Whedon’s Justice League had done to Steppenwolf) to resemble his original vision of Suicide Squad. WB seemed to have profited off of the late Snyder’s Cut release and enjoyed the critical appreciation showered in the aftermath of the movie’s streaming on HBO Max. Whether the studio plans on similarly approaching Ayer Cut remains to be seen.
What The Ayer Cut Promises Fans Concerning Snyderverse
Zack Snyder was true to his art and was distanced from the completion and production of his dream child of what we now call the Snyder trilogy. David Ayer was more flexible and hence survived the critical redaction of his DC standalone project. He stood firm alongside the production crew during the comic rendering of the funnier and more colorful version of his dark and prismatic rendition of Suicide Squad.
Related article: Fans Continue Snyderverse Campaign After Disappointing Presentation by WB
If the Ayer Cut is now released to the audience, it will be done so under the umbrella of Warner Bros. Discovery’s new management that has optimistically brought Alan Horn into the playing field and consequently, be absent of Walter Hamada and all of the executive members who had a hand in the creative censoring and redacting of grittier and potentially masochistic renditions of comic antiheroes. This also promises some hope for the fans who have longed for the reunion of Snyder’s heroes given that Snyder and Horn still maintain warm ties and establish a connection within the DC extended universe that has until now seemed a much hopeless and forsaken cause.
Related article: Jared Leto Wants Suicide Squad Ayer Cut Streamed
Can Alan Horn Bring Back Henry Cavill’s Superman?
For obvious reasons, Henry Cavill is a superior choice for DC moving forward. And he is also the right one if the studio plans on moving forward with a universe that builds its framework around Superman. Numerous people, experienced producers included, have come forward stating that the only success-worthy path for a DC revival would be to resurrect Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel as the focal point of an extensive universe and carefully construct around the superhero a rebooted story or a narrative.
If the subtle dead drops forming a trail are to be considered a yellow brick road leading straight to the doorway of the planning and production room of WB, then an optimist might consider there’s an endgame at play. Beginning with the Snyder Cut release, followed by the Ayer Cut teaser, now WB is placing Ben Affleck in the direct line of fire to save their faltering image from mass prosecution. Connecting the three dots above clearly indicates an image eerily close to mimicking the Snyderverse. The final piece is Henry Cavill and Snyder making a comeback and DC may yet stage the greatest comeback and mass favoritism in the franchise history.
