Zack Snyder Breaks Down the Shocking Ending for BATMAN V SUPERMAN and How It Affects JUSTICE LEAGUE

This weekend, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice finally arrived in theaters. Despite mixed reception from fans and critics, the film is going to perform wonderfully at the box office. And this is only good news for the rest of the DC Extended Universe, including the follow-up film, 2017’s Justice League.

Speaking of which, the wait for Justice League just got a lot harder. Batman v Superman ended with a rather shocking and gutsy plot twist that will have huge ramifications for the next film. And now, director Zack Snyder has discussed the ending, why they decided to go that route, and what it means for Justice League.

[Warning: The Following Contains MAJOR SPOILERS From Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.]

[Seriously, if you haven’t seen the movie yet, why are you still reading?]

So, during the climatic battle in Batman v Superman, Superman sacrificed himself in an effort to defeat Doomsday. Superman stabs Doomsday with the Kryptonite spear designed by Batman, but Doomsday strikes back with a spike through the Man of Steel’s chest. Thus, the two both die in this battle, adapting the iconic “Death of Superman” storyline.

Of course, Superman isn’t dead for good, as hinted in the final shot of the film. But, why did Zack Snyder go this route? He explains to Entertainment Weekly that the scene shows how much Superman loved the human race: he was willing to sacrifice his own life to save it. “I felt like we had to kill Superman in this movie in order for us to have been serious with the entire premise of the film. And that’s not to say that he clearly is gone forever.”

How will Superman’s death impact Justice League? At the end of Batman v Superman, Batman tells Wonder Woman that a team with the other metahumans – Aquaman, Flash and Cyborg – should be formed in honor of Superman and in order to protect the world. Snyder explains how Superman’s absence will lead to a “stronger” story in the next movie. “I wanted Bruce Wayne to build the Justice League. I felt like with Superman around, it’s a different conversation when you create the Justice League, right? It’s like, ‘Me and Superman, we want to make a Justice League.’ [Other heroes would be] like, ‘Okay, yeah, I’ll join!’ I just feel like Bruce Wayne having to go out and find these seven samurai by himself, that’s a lot more interesting of a premise.”

Justice League will revolve around Batman and Wonder Woman forming the titular team. One reason why this team comes together is to resurrect Superman. But how exactly that will happen remains to be seen.

Finally, Snyder describes Superman’s god-like journey in the DCEU. “I felt like there’s a mythological journey for Superman. There’s the birth, death, and resurrection thing. And when you bring him back, who knows what he is when he comes back.”

For more from Snyder, where he explains the Justice League’s “vulnerability” and Superman’s near-death experience in an earlier Batman v Superman scene, click HERE.

Justice League Part One is scheduled to hit theaters November 17th, 2017. The fifth installment in the DC Extended Universe stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Amber Heard and J.K. Simmons. Zack Snyder directs from a script by Chris Terrio.