ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE: 10 Ways The Movie Sets Up A Sequel And Future DCEU Stories

We don't know if a sequel to Zack Snyder's Justice League is ever going to happen, but there are some exciting and intriguing ways this movie lays the groundwork for a lot of compelling future stories...

By JoshWilding - Mar 19, 2021 07:03 AM EST

Filed Under: Justice League

Zack Snyder's Justice League is now streaming on HBO Max, and with a mostly very positive response online, it's no wonder #ReleaseTheSnyderCut has been replaced by #RestoreTheSnyderVerse.

Whether that happens likely hinges on viewership numbers and an influx of subscribers to the service, but even then, it's a big ask for a streamer to commit to Snyder's ambitious, very expensive vision. We're hoping it does happen, though, because the Snyder Cut drops plenty of hints about the future!

Today, we're taking a look at some easy to miss nods about where the story was supposed to go next, and moments which lay the groundwork for sequels and spinoffs. Clearly, the filmmaker had some extremely ambitious plans for his vision of the DC Extended Universe.

So, to check out what could be on the way - along with some insight from the leaked plots for Justice League 2 and 3 - all you guys need to do is click on the "Next" button down below!

10. Lois Lane's Pregnancy

There are several hints throughout the movie that Lois Lane is pregnant with Superman's child, and that's since been confirmed as being the case by Snyder himself.

Needless to say, that's a big deal, and is likely something the filmmaker planned to explore in detail over the next two chapters in his Justice League trilogy. This revelation makes that shot of the Man of Steel cradling Lois' charred remains even more horrifying, and better explains why the hero ultimately falls under the control of Darkseid.

While we could make some predictions about where this pregnancy would ultimately lead, we know thanks to Snyder that Superman's powerless son would have one day become the new Batman.

9. Darkseid's Mission

Steppenwolf is beaten by the League (badly!) as Darkseid watches on in this cut of Justice League, but now that he knows the Anti-Life Equation resides on Earth, nothing will stop him trying to acquire it.

As the movie ends, he decides to rally the forces of Apokolips for another full-scale invasion of Earth, so it's clear now this battle against Steppenwolf and his Parademons was the tip of the iceberg. Ultimately, it looks like Darkseid would have been victorious, hence the existence of that Knightmare timeline.

However, there are quite a few nods to the Multiverse throughout the Snyder Cut, so we can't help but wonder if the filmmaker had ambitious plans to explore what that meant in his sequels as well.

8. Lex Luthor Reveals Batman's Identity

161455383-203714191517919-6597732289014144759-n3344133334443

The 2017 version of Lex Luthor's meeting with Deathstroke saw Warner Bros. tease the formation of the Injustice League (a group Snyder actually planned to utilise in one of his sequels).

The original scene, however, was meant to lay the groundwork for The Batman. Looking for revenge after being locked up in Arkham Asylum, Lex tells Slade Wilson that Bruce Wayne is beneath the cowl. That certainly would have made Deathstroke's mission to take Batman out quite a bit more interesting, and is something we could still see become a reality in some form.

Affleck not only returned for Snyder's reshoots, but also signed up to star in The Flash. Surely that long-rumoured HBO Max adaptation of his take on The Batman could now be made a reality?

7. Tapping Into The Speed Force

Joss Whedon's Barry Allen was a comedy doofus who couldn't break into a run without tripping over his own feet. This version, however, is taken on a very different journey in Snyder's Justice League.

After tapping into the Speed Force to reverse time and save the League, the Scarlet Speedster is far more confident when he's running through Central City than when we first met him. It's also worth noting that he's clearly able to more effectively tap into his extraordinary abilities now. That includes time-travel, a game-changer for any comic book universe.

What Rick Famuyiwa had planned for this version of the Flash is unclear, but we can only hope Andy Muschietti is taking more inspiration from this iteration than the goofball racing around back in 2017.

6. Clark Kent Returns

Clark Kent was reported to have died during Doomsday attack, but it seems Kal-El has once again taken on that identity if this scene is any indication. We saw this in 2017, of course, but the colour of the suit has changed as Snyder decided the Man of Steel would continue to wear the black costume.

That's noteworthy, and Superman could be seen wearing that outfit while cradling Lois' charred remains. However, it appears falling under Darkseid's control is what leads to the red and blue suit's return.

What we don't know is how Clark was able to be resurrected without compromising his secret identity as Superman, though it has, of course, been revealed that Snyder planned to explore the hero's struggles with getting back in touch with his human side in those planned sequels. So, while this seems like a cool, throwaway moment, there was clearly still more story left to be told.

5. Last Heroes Standing

Cyborg's vision gives us an idea of what happens after Zack Snyder's Justice League, but the Knightmare scene right at the end of the movie also leaves us with plenty to think about.

Clearly, Batman needs The Joker's help to find something which will send the Flash back in time to save Lois Lane and make things right, but it was Bruce's inaction which seemingly caused her demise (something The Joker points out with great delight in a standout scene) in the first place. Deathstroke, Mera, and Cyborg are all on hand to help, but things go badly wrong when Superman arrives.

It's unclear whether this takes place before or after Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice's Knightmare scene, but we can safely assume that not everyone makes it out of this confrontation alive.

4. Cyborg's Power Upgrade

Cyborg's arc in Zack Snyder's Justice League is easily the most interesting, and while he loses his father, the hero does ultimately accept his new status quo and moves past his grief and anger.

The original plan was for Victor Stone to factor heavily into The Flash movie, something we now know won't be happening. He was also supposed to get his own solo outing, but chances are this will be the last time we see Ray Fisher play the character unless Snyder does return to the DCEU.

It's exciting to think about where this powered up Cyborg could go next, but Snyder envisioned his story ending with Victor mastering his powers to the extent he could once again appear human.

3. Wonder Woman's Return Home

Wonder Woman 1984 didn't resonate with a lot of fans, and we still haven't seen Diana Prince brought into the present day. That's hopefully the plan with the threequel, but Snyder appeared to be teasing something different for his version of the character at the end of Justice League.

As Wonder Woman looks out mournfully into the distance, it's clear she's thinking about Themyscira.

We know from that glimpse into the future that she's ultimately reunited with her bother, albeit as Darkseid burns her body in front of her fellow Amazons. Snyder once hoped to use Doctor Poison to wipe out Themyscira after Diana returned home, but it seems Darkseid kills her instead if this sequence - which was added along with the Knightmare scene - is any indication.

2. Hall Of Justice

Bruce Wayne decided to convert Wayne Manor into the Hall of Justice in the theatrical cut as well, but it feels a little more meaningful here (especially as it shows Batman further stepping out of the shadows).

Thanks to a glimpse into the future, we know that the Dark Knight is ultimately successful in creating this base of operations for the team, but thanks to the mind-controlled Superman, that doesn't last long. He's shown at one point hovering over the remains of the Hall of Justice with a dead Kilowog at his feet and Batman's cowl in hand. It's a striking, memorable piece of imagery.

Hopefully, it's an idea which can be elaborated on by Snyder in the not too distant future, eh?

1. Martian Manhunter's Message

Zack Snyder's plan was for this meeting to feature the John Stewart version of Green Lantern. However, due to their own plans for the hero, Warner Bros. asked that he not use the hero (which sucks, but makes sense, especially as it would have overshadowed whoever they cast in the role).

Martian Manhunter isn't a bad substitute, though, and it's clear he'll be there to help the League.

That could go some way in making sure that desolate future doesn't come to pass, and the hero would likely be key in the battle against Darkseid. This is a brief, albeit very interesting conversation between the two heroes, and as Martian Manhunter didn't seemingly factor into Snyder's original plans, it would be fascinating to see how a sequel made use of both him and a Green Lantern.

Zack Snyder Says REBEL MOON - PART 2's Last Supper Scene Was Originally Conceived For JUSTICE LEAGUE Sequel

Recommended For You:

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Says He's "Pretty Excited" About James Gunn's DCU Plans

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

78 Comments

1 2

0bstreperous - 3/19/2021, 7:32 AM

We could have had a great Affleck Batman movie after that spoiler

Desrow - 3/19/2021, 7:32 AM

GhostDog - 3/19/2021, 7:36 AM

How many more JL Snyder Cut articles?

Josh:

TheGrayGhost - 3/19/2021, 8:39 AM

@BlackBeltJones - Didn't someone set the Wilding JL:SC article over/under at 15.5? Also if going by that figure do any applicable Ruby Goldstone articles count as well?

dracula - 3/19/2021, 10:31 AM

@BlackBeltJones -

inkniron - 3/19/2021, 2:57 PM

@TheGrayGhost - That was me. It was from that time til the release. We only got 7 total, 6 Josh/Ruby...in less than 24hrs.

inkniron - 3/19/2021, 3:04 PM

@TheGrayGhost - and a quick count from then til now is 22 total with 14 Josh/Ruby.

DoubleD - 3/19/2021, 7:36 AM

Snyderverse DCEU is officially dead.

dracula - 3/19/2021, 10:32 AM

@Waddles - strange that he keeps going to christ, seems like Gabriel or Moses fit superman better

johnnymarr - 3/19/2021, 7:40 AM

BuzzKillington - 3/19/2021, 7:40 AM

ARMUS - 3/19/2021, 7:44 AM

Still confused how wanted criminal Lex Luthor was able to acquire a giant yacht and staff it and anchor it within throwing distance of Monte Carlo without alerting authorities at all, maybe Superman is blind and deaf after returning from death. Another big huh moment is Clark Kent back in Metropolis wearing glasses and all, it's never explained how, everyone he knew as Clark saw him dead in a casket and then buried, dead for two years, " hey Perry I'm back from the dead can I have my job back?"

Origame - 3/19/2021, 8:33 AM

@ARMUS - it's possible he set it up in a country without an extradition treaty, sails it in international waters, and only brings it close to shore when conducting meetings.

GeneralZod - 3/19/2021, 9:00 AM

@ARMUS - "everyone he knew as Clark saw him dead in a casket and then buried, dead for two years ...."

TheUnworthyThor - 3/19/2021, 7:46 AM

No. Just no. Cut it out. Forget this shit. We got The Suicide Squad and The Batman coming. Real stuff to look forward to. No sequel talk.

TheRationalNerd - 3/19/2021, 7:47 AM

@TheUnworthyThor - I think The Batman will make me forget every good thing I've seen in the DCEU so far. But it definitely is being handled in great care with someone lie Reeves.

TheRationalNerd - 3/19/2021, 7:46 AM

I really want to see Batman vs. Deathstroke Arkham Origins style fighting. At least turn that script into a Max series.

Moriakum - 3/19/2021, 7:46 AM

solskulldeath - 3/19/2021, 7:56 AM

just let the new The Flash movie retcon/reboot DCCU for good. And let Henry Cavill become a true superman just like the Superman & Lois series.

1 2

Related Headlines

Justice League (Animated)

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS - PART 2 Spoilers: Batman Beyond Disappoints But Stage Is Set For Epic PART 3

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

Justice League

Zack Snyder Says REBEL MOON - PART 2's "Last Supper" Scene Was Originally Conceived For JUSTICE LEAGUE Sequel

MarkCassidy

1 day ago

Justice League

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Says He's "Pretty Excited" About James Gunn's DCU Plans

JoshWilding

5 days ago

Related Headlines

Justice League (Animated)

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS - PART 2 Spoilers: Batman Beyond Disappoints But Stage Is Set For Epic PART 3

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

Justice League

Zack Snyder Says REBEL MOON - PART 2's "Last Supper" Scene Was Originally Conceived For JUSTICE LEAGUE Sequel

MarkCassidy

1 day ago

Justice League

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Says He's "Pretty Excited" About James Gunn's DCU Plans

JoshWilding

5 days ago

Justice League

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Open To Making Animated Sequels; Believes Some DC Fans Are "Brainwashed"

JoshWilding

Apr 11, 2024 01:04 PM

Justice League

Henry Cavill Jokes (We Think) That His JUSTICE LEAGUE Mustache "Nearly Ruined My Career"

JoshWilding

Apr 11, 2024 09:04 AM

Justice League

Man of Steel

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Says Superman Would Be "Fake" If He Hadn't Killed General Zod

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

Action

MONKEY MAN Now Available On Digital HD; Eddie Yang Talks Designing Dev Patel's Badass Monkey Mask (Exclusive)

RohanPatel

4 hours ago

Latest Headlines

Justice League (Animated)

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS - PART 2 Spoilers: Batman Beyond Disappoints But Stage Is Set For Epic PART 3

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

Man of Steel

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Says Superman Would Be "Fake" If He Hadn't Killed General Zod

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

Action

MONKEY MAN Now Available On Digital HD; Eddie Yang Talks Designing Dev Patel's Badass Monkey Mask (Exclusive)

RohanPatel

4 hours ago

X-Men '97

Former X-MEN '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo Says Show Will Address Mr. Sinister's Racism

MarkCassidy

4 hours ago

Moon Knight

MOON KNIGHT Gag Reel Sees Oscar Isaac Instantly Regret Punching Himself In The Face

JoshWilding

5 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: What Happened That Led To Logan "[Letting] Down His Entire World"?

JoshWilding

7 hours ago

Hot Headlines

251 comments

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Official Trailer Features Ultimate Team-Up & Promises The Wildest MCU Movie Of All-Time!

RohanPatel

1 day ago EST

95 comments

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Trailer Arrives Tomorrow! Check Out A New Teaser And Poster

MarkCassidy

2 days ago EST

90 comments

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Seemingly Takes Shot At Hollywood Producer: "Sorry For Having Great T**s"

JoshWilding

1 day ago EST

81 comments

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Every Major Marvel Cameo In The New Trailer - Possible SPOILERS

JoshWilding

1 day ago EST

80 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

X-MEN '97: Rogue Is Out For Revenge In First Clip From Tomorrow's New Episode, Bright Eyes

More Cartoons & Animated ►

LaKeith Stanfield To Star In Film Based On EL PASO, ELSEWHERE Vampire Video Game

More Anime & Manga ►

BLINK TWICE: Channing Tatum Invites You To Pussy Island In First Trailer For Zoë Kravitz's Directorial Debut

More Horror ►

MONKEY MAN Exclusive Interview With Mask Designer Eddie Yang; Dev Patel Film Now Available On Digital HD

More Action Movies & TV ►

Finn Balor Has Reportedly Signed Big Money Deal To Remain In WWE Despite Interest From AEW

More Pro Wrestling ►

DUNE: PART TWO Director Denis Villeneuve Breaks Down The Sequel's Ending And Teases MESSIAH Plans - SPOILERS

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE: 10 Ways The Movie Sets Up A Sequel And Future DCEU Stories

We don't know if a sequel to Zack Snyder's Justice League is ever going to happen, but there are some exciting and intriguing ways this movie lays the groundwork for a lot of compelling future stories...

10. Lois Lane's Pregnancy

9. Darkseid's Mission

8. Lex Luthor Reveals Batman's Identity

7. Tapping Into The Speed Force

6. Clark Kent Returns

5. Last Heroes Standing

4. Cyborg's Power Upgrade

3. Wonder Woman's Return Home

2. Hall Of Justice

1. Martian Manhunter's Message

Zack Snyder Says REBEL MOON - PART 2's "Last Supper" Scene Was Originally Conceived For JUSTICE LEAGUE Sequel

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Says He's "Pretty Excited" About James Gunn's DCU Plans

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS - PART 2 Spoilers: Batman Beyond Disappoints But Stage Is Set For Epic PART 3

Zack Snyder Says REBEL MOON - PART 2's "Last Supper" Scene Was Originally Conceived For JUSTICE LEAGUE Sequel

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Says He's "Pretty Excited" About James Gunn's DCU Plans

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS - PART 2 Spoilers: Batman Beyond Disappoints But Stage Is Set For Epic PART 3

Zack Snyder Says REBEL MOON - PART 2's "Last Supper" Scene Was Originally Conceived For JUSTICE LEAGUE Sequel

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Says He's "Pretty Excited" About James Gunn's DCU Plans

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Open To Making Animated Sequels; Believes Some DC Fans Are "Brainwashed"

Henry Cavill Jokes (We Think) That His JUSTICE LEAGUE Mustache "Nearly Ruined My Career"

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Suggests His Fans Campaign To #ReleaseTheSnyderCut Of SUCKER PUNCH

Popular Headlines

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Every Major Marvel Cameo In The New Trailer - Possible SPOILERS

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Rob Liefeld Responds To Trailer's Shot At His Apparent Inability To Draw Feet

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: 7 Biggest Easter Eggs, Reveals, And Spoilers In The New Trailer

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Rumored To Feature An Appearance From [SPOILER] As [SPOILER]

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Rumor Points To Larger Roles For Two Particular Characters - SPOILERS

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS - PART 2 Spoilers: Batman Beyond Disappoints But Stage Is Set For Epic PART 3

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Says Superman Would Be "Fake" If He Hadn't Killed General Zod

MONKEY MAN Now Available On Digital HD; Eddie Yang Talks Designing Dev Patel's Badass Monkey Mask (Exclusive)

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS - PART 2 Spoilers: Batman Beyond Disappoints But Stage Is Set For Epic PART 3

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Says Superman Would Be "Fake" If He Hadn't Killed General Zod

MONKEY MAN Now Available On Digital HD; Eddie Yang Talks Designing Dev Patel's Badass Monkey Mask (Exclusive)

Former X-MEN '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo Says Show Will Address Mr. Sinister's Racism

MOON KNIGHT Gag Reel Sees Oscar Isaac Instantly Regret Punching Himself In The Face

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: What Happened That Led To Logan "[Letting] Down His Entire World"?

Hot Headlines

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Official Trailer Features Ultimate Team-Up & Promises The Wildest MCU Movie Of All-Time!

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Trailer Arrives Tomorrow! Check Out A New Teaser And Poster

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Seemingly Takes Shot At Hollywood Producer: "Sorry For Having Great T**s"

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Every Major Marvel Cameo In The New Trailer - Possible SPOILERS

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Says Superman Would Be "Fake" If He Hadn't Killed General Zod

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

DUNE: PART TWO Director Denis Villeneuve Breaks Down The Sequel's Ending And Teases MESSIAH Plans - SPOILERS

Jennifer Lopez Battle An A.I. Simu Liu In New Trailer For Netflix's ATLAS

REBEL MOON: Zack Snyder Says Director's Cuts Are "More Like A Parallel Universe Than An Extended Version"

Daisy Ridley Teases The Different STAR WARS Film That Will Hopefully Be A "New Adventure"

Zack Snyder's Animated Norse Mythology Series TWILIGHT OF THE GODS Will Be Released This Fall

DUNE: PART TWO Star Rebecca Ferguson On DUNE: MESSIAH - "I'd Love To See Timothée Turn Into A Worm"

Cartoons & Animated Features

X-MEN '97: Rogue Is Out For Revenge In First Clip From Tomorrow's New Episode, "Bright Eyes"

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS - PART 2 Is Likely To Disappoint Fans Of BATMAN BEYOND - SPOILERS

X-MEN '97: Former Showrunner Beau DeMayo Says Series Will "Touch On" Mr. Sinister's Racism

BIG HERO 6 Producer Reveals Why We STILL Haven't Got A Sequel To Disney Animation's Marvel Movie

KNUCKLES Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed Along With New Clip Featuring Sonic And Tails

Ella Purnell Says ARCANE Season 2 Will Be Incredibly Tragic As Netflix Preps The Series For Annecy Reveal

Gaming

LaKeith Stanfield To Star In Film Based On EL PASO, ELSEWHERE Vampire Video Game

Comedy Central Orders 10-Episode GOLDEN AXE Animated Series From Mike McMahan And Joe Chandler

FALLOUT Season 2 Will Feature One Of The Game's Most Iconic Monsters

FORTNITE Will Now Let You Block "Confrontational Emotes"

KNUCKLES: Paramount+ SONIC Spin-Off Hits Rotten Tomatoes With An Impressive 88%

Fan Project Estimates GTA 6 Map Size Could Be 2.5 Times Larger Than GTA 5

Anime & Manga

DRAGON BALL SUPER Interval Special Announced By Jump While Manga Remains On Indefinite Hiatus

New Teaser And Key Art For Live-Action TRILLION GAME Movie

Netflix's PARASYTE: THE GREY Is Now Streaming; Here's What The Critics Are Saying

MY HERO ACADEMIA Tops X-MEN '97, INVINCIBLE And More In Social Media Engagement

Netmarble Announces Release Date For New Game SOLO LEVELING: ARISE

KAIJU NO. 8 Reveals Opening And Ending Theme Animations

Horror

BLINK TWICE: Channing Tatum Invites You To "Pussy Island" In First Trailer For Zoë Kravitz's Directorial Debut

THE WATCHERS New Trailer Sees Dakota Fanning Terrorised In Ishana Night Shyamalan's Directorial Debut

EVIL DEAD RISE Director Lee Cronin Shares Gruesome New BTS Photos To Mark Movie's One-Year Anniversary

Happy 4/20! Check Out The Red Band Trailer For New Stoner Horror Movie TRIM SEASON

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Spoils The Big Twist

Action Movies & TV