Fans of superhero films likely can't seem to get away from news about Zack Snyder's upcoming version of Justice League. Those who've been following for some time now, though, likely remember that one of the earlier teases for the updated film was an image of Superman in a unique black suit that had not been seen in the original cut. Zack Snyder has now taken some time to explain the significance of that suit, and why he wanted it in his version of the film.
Spoiler warning, for those who have somehow managed to go this long without knowing the basic plot of Batman V. Superman and Justice League. During the big climactic showdown in Batman V. Superman, Superman manages to stop Doomsday, but is killed in the process, being laid to rest, and inspiring Batman and Wonder Woman to form the Justice League.
This storyline is based on one of the most famous comic book arcs of all time, called The Death of Superman. Of course, nobody in comic books ever dies permanently, so eventually, Superman did get resurrected. When he returned, however, he was sporting a brand new black outfit called the "Recovery Suit." In-universe, it was a special suit meant to help him slowly regain his power and heal from his death. In real life, comics were going through their edgy phase, and a black-suited Superman sporting a mullet and dual-wielding guns was meant to modernize the character.
While its unlikely that the Snyder Cut of Justice League will feature anything that extreme, Snyder did explain that the black suit is meant to represent a significant change for the character. After everything he's been through, he really has to have grown and evolved in some way. During an interview with ComicBook Debate, he explained: "I really felt like my Superman...has to sort of level up and sort of learn something and be something different."
While it's a vision of the character that audiences may not be used to, Snyder views the black suit as Superman getting closer to stepping into that classic hero role he is remembered for: "What I had planned was that, the...final step for Superman is kind of his real return, or his real coming into, what I would consider almost the classic Superman."
Snyder also explained that the black suit is a convenient plot device, allowing the viewer to easily distinguish different periods of time without getting confused, and it makes for some interesting imagery as well. Just how large a role the suit will play in Snyder's version of Justice League has yet to be seen, but it's good to know that he's putting in the time and thought to make his version of the film everything he wanted it to be.
Zack Snyder's Justice League premieres on HBO Max in March of 2021.
Source: IGN