Ray Fisher has been making headlines for months now, and his comments about what he once described as Joss Whedon’s "gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable" behaviour on the set of Justice League’s reshoots have sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Non Disclosure Agreements mean the actor has been unable to share specifics for the most part, while WarnerMedia’s underwhelming conclusion from their investigation failed to shed any light on the repercussions for those involved (Geoff Johns and Jon Berg have frequently been mentioned by Fisher for allegedly being complicit in Whedon’s actions). We’re not here to debate that, but it’s clear what happened shouldn’t have, and even based on what little has been revealed, no one can blame Fisher for being angry.
However, after having the opportunity to watch Zack Snyder’s Justice League, it seems fair to say that something went drastically wrong at Warner Bros. when Whedon decided to reshape the movie in his image. For reasons likely known only to him and other executives at the studio, 99% of Fisher’s performance was reshot for the 2017 movie. Was it because he was a relative newcomer back when Justice League was being shot the first time around and his work simply didn’t cut the mustard under Snyder’s watch? Well, considering the fact he’s a standout in the "Snyder Cut," we’re going to go with no. Could it be that his original arc needed some tweaks to better fit the character or the plot of the theatrical version? Quite literally everything seen from Cyborg here is better than it was three-and-a-half years ago, whether it’s how he uses his powers, his general demeanour, or the character’s relationship with his father.
What we see in Zack Snyder’s Justice League feels authentic, real, and 100% relatable. Fisher has alleged that Johns told him "we can't have an angry Black man at the center of the movie." Well, Cyborg should be angry, and he should most definitely hate the world for what’s happened to him. His relationship with his father doesn’t always make for comfortable viewing, but why does would it? Silas Stone wasn’t there for his son, and then used technology to create...well, someone who is now more machine than man. As Victor clearly struggles with his new body, his hatred for his father is completely understandable, but you can also see there’s more to it than just that. The way things ultimately play out between them (and we’re not going to spoil anything here) also works perfectly, and Cyborg is one of the most complex, layered characters we’ve seen in a superhero movie for some time.
Then, there’s Cyborg. "Holy sh*t" feels like the only appropriate response to how the hero is often portrayed. He’s gone from saying “Booyah!” and firing off a few weapons to being put on a path that will one day see him become "The Modern Day God Of The Digital Age" Fisher has teased on social media. This movie makes us understand how the hero’s powers work, the full extent of them, and the fact he could destroy or save the world with a single thought (unleashing the world's nuclear arsenal or crippling the economy, for example). It’s really quite profound, and Fisher is at the heart of that. His work here is staggering, and while he clearly has a lot to be angry about after those reshoots in 2017, a star making performance being stolen from him by some baffling creative decisions should still be counted among the more serious issues. It does sound like at least part of the reasoning for the neutering of the character is due to Fisher’s race, something there needs to be consequences for moving forward (Whedon’s career appears to be over following multiple accusations, though Johns and Berg have thus far emerged unscathed).
As both a young Black man and someone differently abled people can fully relate to, Cyborg is an inspiration in a way that should resonate with people of all races, genders, and abilities; this is a deep character with a lot to say. It turns out Snyder wasn’t exaggerating when he described the character as the heart of this movie, and it’s now clear that heart was torn out in 2017. However, that was then, and this is now, and it doesn’t feel like an exaggeration to say Fisher’s performance in the "Snyder Cut" could be one of the most important, best pieces of work we’ll see on any sized screen in 2021. It feels like this character's story is now being told at the right time, and regardless of whether this propels Fisher to superstardom, it should make getting his voice heard as he calls for accountability in Hollywood that much easier. Like the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement, that's a big win.