Zack Snyder#Filmography
{{short description|American filmmaker (born 1966)}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Zack Snyder
| image = Zack Snyder by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
| caption = Snyder at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con
| birth_name = Zachary Edward Snyder
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|3|1}}
| birth_place = Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
| education = Art Center College of Design (BFA)
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|film producer|screenwriter|cinematographer}}
| years_active = 1989–present
| spouse = {{ubl|Denise Weber (divorced)|{{marriage|Deborah Johnson|2004}}}}
}}
Zachary Edward Snyder (born March 1, 1966) is an American filmmaker. He made his feature film debut in 2004 with Dawn of the Dead, a remake of the 1978 horror film of the same name. Since then, he has directed or produced a number of comic book and superhero films, including 300 (2006) and Watchmen (2009), as well as the Superman film that started the DC Extended Universe, Man of Steel (2013), and its follow-ups, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017), the latter of which had a director's cut released in 2021. He also directed the animated film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010), the psychological action film Sucker Punch (2011), the zombie heist film Army of the Dead (2021), and the two-parter space opera films Rebel Moon (2023) and Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (2024).
In 2004, he founded the production company The Stone Quarry (formerly known as Cruel and Unusual Films) alongside his wife Deborah Snyder and producing partner Wesley Coller.
Early life and education
Zachary Edward Snyder was born on March 1, 1966, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and raised in Riverside, Connecticut{{cite web | last=Eldridge | first=Alison | title=Movies, DC Extended Universe, Justice League, & Biography | website=Encyclopedia Britannica | date=17 November 2024 | url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zack-Snyder | access-date=23 December 2024}} and/or Greenwich, Connecticut. His mother, Marsha Manley (née Reeves), was a painter and a photography teacher at Daycroft School, which Snyder later attended. His father, Charles Edward "Ed" Snyder, worked as an executive recruiter.{{cite news | url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PBEB&p_theme=pbeb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=117C5D13549DA238&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | work=The Berkshire Eagle | title=Fan makes a film | date=March 8, 2007 | access-date=October 8, 2013 | last=Everhart | first=Bill | archive-date=October 2, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002151752/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PBEB&p_theme=pbeb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=117C5D13549DA238&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/berkshire/obituary.aspx?n=marsha-snyder&pid=144455179|title=Marsha Snyder Obituary – Pittsfield, MA|work=The Berkshire Eagle|publisher=Legacy.com|access-date=August 8, 2015|archive-date=October 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002151828/https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/berkshire/obituary.aspx?n=marsha-snyder&pid=144455179|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/54776720/ |title=The North Adams Transcript from North Adams, Massachusetts · Page 15 |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 5, 1958 |access-date=August 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208082151/http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/54776720/ |archive-date=December 8, 2015 }} Marsha always nurtured her son's artistic side, buying him his first film camera.{{Cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|title=Zack Snyder's Next Cut: No Capes Allowed|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/zack-snyder-cut-rebel-moon-netflix-1235680491/|date=2023-11-29|access-date=2023-11-29|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|archive-date=December 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201235111/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/zack-snyder-cut-rebel-moon-netflix-1235680491/|url-status=live}} He has an older sister, Audrey.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/fashion/weddings/20UNIONS.html |title=Off Screen, a Long-Running Romance |last=Louie |first=Elaine |date=February 18, 2011 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 2, 2014 |archive-date=July 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707062752/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/fashion/weddings/20UNIONS.html |url-status=live }} He also had a brother, Sam, who died when Snyder was a teenager.{{Citation|title=Zack Snyder Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions {{!}} WIRED| date=May 18, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDCowfgaHLA|language=en|access-date=2021-05-23|archive-date=May 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523155607/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDCowfgaHLA|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=December 2024}}
Snyder was raised as a Christian Scientist, and attended a summer camp in Harrison, Maine, run by the church.
He studied painting a year after high school at Heatherley School of Fine Art in England, although he had already begun filmmaking.{{cite web|title=Zack Snyder's Superhero Life|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-zack-snyder-profile|last=Leonard|first=Devin|date=March 1, 2016|access-date=March 1, 2016|work=Bloomberg News|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108121431/http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-zack-snyder-profile/|url-status=live}} Back in high school, Snyder struggled due to his dyslexia and made his first film there with the camera his mother bought him, using it to make an unflattering commentary about his school's administration that got him expelled. Afterward, Snyder attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. His classmates included fellow future Hollywood directors Michael Bay and Tarsem Singh. Despite being Indian, Singh also played a Nazi in a short film by Snyder.{{Cite web |last=Giroux |first=Jack |date=2012-04-06 |title=Interview: Tarsem Singh on 'Mirror Mirror' and What Michael Bay Was Like in College |url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/interview-tarsem-singh-on-mirror-mirror-and-what-michael-bay-was-like-in-college-460f655328b/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Film School Rejects |language=en-US}} He graduated with a BFA in film in 1989.{{Cite web|url=http://www.artcenter.edu/about/support/storyboard/zack-snyder.html|title=Zack Snyder|website=ArtCenter College of Design|access-date=February 28, 2021|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107224417/http://www.artcenter.edu/about/support/storyboard/zack-snyder.html|url-status=live}}
The production notes for Snyder's first film Dawn of the Dead describes Snyder as "a comic book and horror film enthusiast in his youth".{{cite web |title=Dawn of the Dead - Production Notes |url=http://madeinatlantis.com/movies_central/2004/dawn_production_details.htm |website=Media Atlantis |publisher=Universal Pictures |access-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-date=October 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025235204/http://madeinatlantis.com/movies_central/2004/dawn_production_details.htm |url-status=live }}
Career
After graduating, Snyder directed commercials as well as music videos for ZZ Top and Morrissey, where he met his future wife Deborah, who was then a music producer. Snyder directed "Respect" for Budweiser, which came out in February 2002. The 60-second commercial depicts a group of horses traveling toward the site of the 9/11 terror attacks to pay their respects to the victims with a bow.{{cite web |title=Budweiser - Respect 9/11 Tribute |url=https://adage.com/videos/budweiser-respect-911-tribute/796 |website=AdAge |access-date=8 October 2024}}
Snyder made his feature film debut with the remake of the horror film Dawn of the Dead (2004), and scored a box office hit with the fantasy war film 300 (2006), adapted from writer-artist Frank Miller's Dark Horse Comics miniseries of the same name. His Warner Bros. film Watchmen was released on March 6, 2009, and grossed $185 million worldwide. His follow-up project/animation debut, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, was released on September 24, 2010. Snyder produced, co-wrote, and directed Sucker Punch,{{cite web|url = http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/Zack+Snyder%3A+Watchmen/|title = Zack Snyder: Watchmen|publisher = SuicideGirls|date = March 5, 2009|access-date = March 5, 2009|archive-date = March 7, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090307085032/http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/Zack+Snyder%3A+Watchmen/|url-status = live}} which was released on March 25, 2011. The film, based on a script written by Snyder and Steve Shibuya, was about a young woman in a mental hospital who fantasizes of escape with her fellow inmates.
He directed 2013's Man of Steel for Warner Bros., a reboot of the Superman franchise and the jumpstart to the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and produced the prequel/sequel to 300, 300: Rise of an Empire (2014).
During Comic Con 2013, Snyder announced that Batman and Superman would share the screen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, released in 2016. Snyder directed, Cavill reprised his role as Superman, and Ben Affleck played Batman.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/zack-snyder-will-direct-supermanbatman-movie-inspired-by-frank-millers-the-dark-knight-returns/ |title=Zack Snyder Will Direct Superman/Batman Movie Inspired by Frank Miller's 'The Dark Knight Returns' |last=Fischer |first=Russ |date=July 20, 2013 |website=/Film |access-date=July 20, 2013 |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002151751/https://www.slashfilm.com/zack-snyder-will-direct-supermanbatman-movie-inspired-by-frank-millers-the-dark-knight-returns/ |url-status=live }} Snyder directed Warner Bros.' 2017 Justice League, but he exited during post-production to deal with the death of his daughter, Autumn Snyder.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/04/27/warner-bros-details-plans-for-justice-league-movie-exclusive/|title=Warner Bros. Plans 'Justice League' Movie Directed by Zack Snyder (Exclusive)|last=Fritz|first=Ben|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=April 26, 2014|access-date=April 27, 2014|archive-date=April 10, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210410220221/https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-SEB-80848|url-status=live}} His replacement was Joss Whedon.
On January 29, 2019, Snyder announced that he had signed on to helm Army of the Dead, a zombie heist thriller, for Netflix. Snyder directed and produced the film with his partner and wife, Deborah Snyder, via their newly rebranded production company, The Stone Quarry.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zack-snyder-returns-movies-zombie-pic-army-dead-1178979|title=Zack Snyder Returning to Movies With Zombie Action Pic 'Army of the Dead' (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 29, 2019|language=en|access-date=January 31, 2019|archive-date=January 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106012526/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zack-snyder-returns-movies-zombie-pic-army-dead-1178979|url-status=live}} His agreement with Netflix has since expanded into several Army of the Dead projects; Army of Thieves, a prequel released in 2021, and Planet of the Dead, a sequel to be created.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/planet-of-the-dead-time-loop-zack-snyder/|work=Collider|title='Planet of the Dead' Will Have Some "Time Loop Fun," Teases Director Zack Snyder|author=O'Rourke, Ryan|date=October 28, 2021|access-date=October 28, 2021|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028174502/https://collider.com/planet-of-the-dead-time-loop-zack-snyder/|url-status=live}}
On May 20, 2020, Snyder announced that Zack Snyder's Justice League would be released on the streaming service HBO Max in 2021.{{Cite web|title="It Will Be an Entirely New Thing": Zack Snyder's $20M-Plus 'Justice League' Cut Plans Revealed|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/justice-league-snyder-cut-plans-revealed-it-will-be-an-new-thing-1295102|access-date=June 11, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 20, 2020|language=en|archive-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523145649/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/justice-league-snyder-cut-plans-revealed-it-will-be-an-new-thing-1295102|url-status=live}} The film was released on March 18, 2021, dedicated to the memory of his daughter Autumn.
In July 2021, Snyder was officially announced to be developing the film Rebel Moon for Netflix. It was inspired by Star Wars and the films of Akira Kurosawa.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-06|title=Zack Snyder Sets Next Movie, Sci-Fi Adventure 'Rebel Moon', at Netflix (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/zack-snyder-sets-next-movie-sci-fi-adventure-rebel-moon-at-netflix-exclusive-1234978201/|access-date=2021-07-06|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=February 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212062146/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/zack-snyder-sets-next-movie-sci-fi-adventure-rebel-moon-at-netflix-exclusive-1234978201/|url-status=live}} Filming began in April 2022 and lasted until November that year, with the project being developed as a two-part film.{{Cite web|date=February 9, 2022|last=Kit|first=Borys|title=Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Bae Doona, Ray Fisher Join Zack Snyder's 'Rebel Moon'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/rebel-moon-charlie-hunnam-ray-fisher-zack-snyder-1235089664/|access-date=March 8, 2022|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=February 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209200450/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/rebel-moon-charlie-hunnam-ray-fisher-zack-snyder-1235089664/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Squires|first=John|date=April 20, 2022|title=Zack Snyder's Sci-fi Epic 'Rebel Moon' Has Begun Filming|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3711611/zack-snyders-sci-fi-epic-rebel-moon-has-begun-filming/|website=Bloody Disgusting|access-date=April 20, 2022|archive-date=April 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420115658/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3711611/zack-snyders-sci-fi-epic-rebel-moon-has-begun-filming/|url-status=live}} Snyder also produced and directed two episodes of Twilight of the Gods, an anime-style web series inspired by Norse mythology, for Netflix.{{cite web |last1=Gemmill |first1=Allie |title=Zack Snyder Set to Produce a Netflix Anime Series About Norse Mythology |url=https://collider.com/zack-snyder-netflix-anime-series/ |website=Collider |access-date=January 9, 2021 |date=July 11, 2019 |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026115212/https://collider.com/zack-snyder-netflix-anime-series/ |url-status=live }}
= Future and potential projects =
{{as of|February 2021}}, Snyder was developing a King Arthur film, which he said would be a "faithful retelling"{{Cite web|title=Zack Snyder says he is developing a King Arthur movie|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/english/2021/feb/18/zack-snyder-says-he-is-developing-a-king-arthur-movie-2265829.html|access-date=2021-07-01|website=The New Indian Express|date=February 19, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181658/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/english/2021/feb/18/zack-snyder-says-he-is-developing-a-king-arthur-movie-2265829.html|url-status=live}} set during the American Gold rush era.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-20|title=Zack Snyder Is Writing His King Arthur Movie Set During The Gold Rush|url=https://screenrant.com/zack-snyder-king-arthur-movie-gold-rush-update/|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Screen Rant|language=en-US|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182232/https://screenrant.com/zack-snyder-king-arthur-movie-gold-rush-update/|url-status=live}}
Following Rebel Moon, Snyder will return to direct Planet of the Dead, a sequel to Army of the Dead.{{Cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=2021-07-21|title=Zack Snyder's Stone Quarry Productions Signs First-Look Film Deal With Netflix (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/zack-snyder-stone-quarry-productions-signs-first-look-film-deal-netflix-1234986047/|access-date=2021-07-21|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721204056/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/zack-snyder-stone-quarry-productions-signs-first-look-film-deal-netflix-1234986047/|url-status=live}} He also signed a first-look deal with Netflix.{{Cite web|title=Zack Snyder Signs First-Look Deal With Netflix|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/zack-snyder-first-look-deal-netflix-army-of-the-dead/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Movies|language=en|archive-date=July 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722000127/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/zack-snyder-first-look-deal-netflix-army-of-the-dead/|url-status=live}}
In May 2021, it was reported that Snyder had been developing Horse Latitudes, a film about two war photographers since 2011, although the project was on hold while he works at Netflix.{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/zack-snyder-horse-latitudes-movie-delay-details/ | title=Zack Snyder's New Movie Horse Latitudes Has to Wait Longer | website=Screen Rant | date=May 10, 2021 | access-date=July 8, 2021 | archive-date=July 9, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184958/https://screenrant.com/zack-snyder-horse-latitudes-movie-delay-details/ | url-status=live }} After a period of relative silence on the film, he mentioned to DC Cinematic Cast on September 13, 2024, that Horse Latitudes had found an investor.{{Cite web |last=Development |first=PodBean |title=Interview and Fan Q&A with Zack Snyder {{!}} DC Cinematic Cast |url=https://dccinematiccast.podbean.com/e/interview-and-fan-qa-with-zack-snyder/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=dccinematiccast.podbean.com |language=en}}
Snyder held the television rights to an adaptation of Black Kiss, a late-1980s comic by Howard Chaykin. Snyder wrote the pilot, but couldn't find any takers.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-02 |title=Zack Snyder Regains Rights to 300 Sequel Blood and Ashes |website=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/zack-snyder-regains-rights-to-300-spinoff-1235705412/ |access-date=2024-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202011402/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/zack-snyder-regains-rights-to-300-spinoff-1235705412/ |archive-date=December 2, 2023 }}
In 2022, Snyder expressed interest in directing a science fiction film adaptation of the Adult Swim cartoon series Rick and Morty, feeling that such a film would be the closest project he could tackle to make a comedy film.{{Cite web |last=Valdez |first=Nick |date=2021-06-21 |title=Zack Snyder Would Direct a Rick and Morty Movie |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/rick-and-morty-season-5-movie-zack-snyder-director/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915022153/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/rick-and-morty-season-5-movie-zack-snyder-director/ |url-status=live }}
In a November 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder stated that while he no longer had any interest in tackling superhero comic book adaptations in light of the DCEU continuity's conclusion with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, he only consider returning for the DC Universe if James Gunn invited him back to direct a faithful adaptation of Miller's The Dark Knight Returns comic book.
{{as of|November 2024}}, Snyder is set to direct a new feature action film for Netflix, centered around the Los Angeles Police Department, co-writing the script with frequent collaborator Kurt Johnstad.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2024-11-15 |title=Zack Snyder to Direct, Co-Write LAPD Action Thriller for Netflix (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/zack-snyder-lapd-action-thriller-netflix-1236063130/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}
Blood and Ashes would have been the third film set in the world of 300. Snyder and Johnstad wrote the movie during the COVID-19 pandemic on request from Warner Bros, but Warner did not pick the project up. What started as the final piece of a trilogy became its own story as it developed, separate from the main plot of the franchise, but part of the same world. The film would have been a love story about Alexander the Great's relationship with Hephaestion during a time of war.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-28 |title=Rebel Moon 2 Will Have Non-Stop Action, Says Co-Writer Kurt Johnstad – The Hollywood Reporter |website=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/rebel-moon-2-non-stop-action-1235776169/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228223617/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/rebel-moon-2-non-stop-action-1235776169/ |archive-date=December 28, 2023 }} It likely would have been a loose adaptation of the Alexander the Great segments from Frank Miller's graphic novel Xerxes. In 2023, the Stone Quarry gained the movie rights from Warner Bros.
In April 2025, it was reported that Snyder's next film will be titled Brawler, a film about the UFC, with the involvement from Turki Al-Sheikh and Dana White. Snyder will write the screenplay alongside Shay Hatten and Kurt Johnstad.{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |date=2025-03-31 |title=Zack Snyder to Direct ‘Brawler,’ Teaming With Dana White’s UFC and Saudi Minister Turki Alalshikh |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/zack-snyder-direct-ufc-movie-brawler-dana-white-1236352178/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Filmmaking
= Style =
Snyder often uses slow motion, particularly the technique of speed ramping, in and out of the fight scenes in his films. This differs from other directors who make multiple cuts and close-ups during a fight. A minute-long shot from 300 shows King Leonidas slaughtering his enemies, the camera zooming in and out to emphasize each kill and move Leonidas makes.{{cite news|last=Nicholson|first=Amy |magazine=Box Office Magazine |date=February 26, 2009 |url=http://boxoffice.com/editors-desk/slow-and-steady.php |title=Slow and Steady |access-date=March 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303045524/http://boxoffice.com/editors-desk/slow-and-steady.php |archive-date=March 3, 2009 }}
Snyder said {{blockquote|There are other superhero movies where they joke about how basically no one's getting hurt. That's not us. What is that message? That it's okay that there's this massive destruction with zero consequence for anyone? That's what Watchmen was about in a lot of ways too. There was a scene, that scene where Dan and Laurie get mugged. They beat up the criminals. I was like the first guy, I want to show his arm get broken. I want a compound fracture. I don't want it to be clean. I want you to go, 'Oh my God, I guess you're right. If you just beat up a guy in an alley he's not going to just be lying on the ground. It's going to be messy'.{{Cite magazine|last=Staskiewicz|first=Keith|date=July 2, 2015|title=Zack Snyder defends Man of Steel ending|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/02/man-steel-ending...-zack-snyder-makes-his-case/|access-date=August 3, 2020|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728192050/https://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/02/man-steel-ending...-zack-snyder-makes-his-case/}}}}
The Netflix production Army of the Dead was a special project for Snyder as he served as his own cinematographer, as well as this being his first film shot digitally.{{Cite web|last=Mendelovich|first=Yossy|date=2021-02-26|title='Army of the Dead' Trailer Is Out: Shot on RED Monstro by Cinematographer (and Director) Zack Snyder|url=https://ymcinema.com/2021/02/26/army-of-the-dead-trailer-is-out-shot-on-red-monstro-by-cinematographer-and-director-zack-snyder/|access-date=2021-02-26|website=Y.M.Cinema - News & Insights on Digital Cinema|language=en-US|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507122011/https://ymcinema.com/2021/02/26/army-of-the-dead-trailer-is-out-shot-on-red-monstro-by-cinematographer-and-director-zack-snyder/|url-status=live}}
= Reception =
Snyder has been described as one of the most polarizing directors of modern cinema.{{cite web|last1=Ehrlich|first1=David|date=November 15, 2017|title=Zack Snyder Movies Ranked from Worst to Best|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/11/zack-snyder-movies-ranked-justice-league-batman-superman-1201897518/|access-date=March 22, 2021|website=IndieWire|archive-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216003413/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/11/zack-snyder-movies-ranked-justice-league-batman-superman-1201897518/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Miller|first1=Matt|date=March 18, 2021|title=Every Zack Snyder Movie Ranked From Worst to Best|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/g35680242/best-zack-snyder-movies-ranked/|access-date=March 22, 2021|website=Esquire|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318172223/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/g35680242/best-zack-snyder-movies-ranked/|url-status=live}} David Ehrlich of IndieWire wrote that Snyder's "name alone is enough to launch a thousand angry tweets, and the most passionate writing about his work is exclusively found in the comment sections of websites like this one. Snyder's critics really seem to hate him, and Snyder's fans really seem to hate his critics ... Is Snyder a master or a hack? A misunderstood myth-maker, or a meathead with a movie camera?" Film critic Armond White listed Snyder as one of the four best filmmakers of the 2010s.{{cite news|last=White|first=Armond|title=Best Movies of the Decade|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/01/movie-reviews-best-movies-of-decade-2010s/|work=National Review|date=8 January 2020|access-date=December 5, 2022|archive-date=January 8, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200108232622/https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/01/movie-reviews-best-movies-of-decade-2010s/|url-status=live}} Director James Cameron praised Snyder, listing him as one of the filmmakers who created their own "cinematic language".{{cite news|last=Outlaw|first=Kofi|title=James Cameron Praises Zack Snyder's Movies|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/james-cameron-praises-zack-snyder-movies/|work=ComicBook.com|date=20 February 2017|access-date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222010225/https://comicbook.com/dc/news/james-cameron-praises-zack-snyder-movies/|url-status=live}}
Personal life
In 2009, Snyder listed Excalibur, Mad Max 2, A Clockwork Orange, Blue Velvet, and RoboCop as his five favorite films.{{cite news|author=Newsweek Staff|title=A Life in Movies: Zack Snyder|url=https://www.newsweek.com/life-movies-zack-snyder-76373|work=Newsweek|date=7 March 2009|access-date=December 29, 2022|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229230818/https://www.newsweek.com/life-movies-zack-snyder-76373|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Russell|first=Calum|title=Zack Snyder names his five favourite films of all time|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/zack-snyder-five-favourite-films/|work=Far Out|date=14 July 2022|access-date=December 29, 2022|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229230819/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/zack-snyder-five-favourite-films/|url-status=live}}
= Family =
Snyder lives in Pasadena, California with his second wife, producer Deborah Johnson. The couple first met in 1996, began dating in 2002, and married on September 25, 2004, at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Manhattan, New York.{{cite news|title = WEDDINGS/CELEBRATIONS: VOWS; Deborah Johnson and Zack Snyder – New York Times|url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F05E3DA1338F930A35753C1A9629C8B63&fta=y|date = October 3, 2004|last = Louie|first = Elaine|work = The New York Times|access-date = July 25, 2010|archive-date = August 31, 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120831060106/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F05E3DA1338F930A35753C1A9629C8B63&fta=y|url-status = live}}{{cite journal|url=http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/news-and-features/features/movies/e3i8f6bf92e292731581559af0969092ce9?pn=2|first=Frank|last=Lovece|title=CGI: 'Watchmen'--Zack Snyder brings superhero saga to the finish line|journal=Film Journal International|date=February 19, 2009|access-date=February 19, 2009|archive-date=May 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503054656/http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/news-and-features/features/movies/e3i8f6bf92e292731581559af0969092ce9?pn=2|url-status=live}} He was previously married to Denise Weber.
Snyder has eight children: two biological children and two adopted daughters with Weber, two biological sons from a relationship with Kirsten Elin, and two adopted children with Johnson. The suicide of his daughter Autumn prompted Snyder to withdraw from post-production work on Justice League in May 2017 to be with his family, which resulted in Joss Whedon completing the film in his place.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zack-snyder-steps-down-justice-league-deal-family-tragedy-1006455|title=Zack Snyder Steps Down From 'Justice League' to Deal With Family Tragedy|date=May 22, 2017|access-date=September 23, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Borys|last=Kit|archive-date=May 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522233608/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zack-snyder-steps-down-justice-league-deal-family-tragedy-1006455|url-status=live}}
= Philanthropy =
Following his daughter's suicide, Snyder became involved in philanthropic activities directed towards suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Snyder promoted this effort on social media by selling clothing and merchandise related to the Snyder Cut; in May 2021, it was revealed that this effort had raised more than $750,000 in charitable donations to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/zack-snyder-was-worried-wb-would-sue-him-if-he-voiced-support-fo/|title=Zack Snyder Was Worried WB Would Sue Him if He Voiced Support for Snyder Cut Movement|website=DC|access-date=May 7, 2021|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507092240/https://comicbook.com/dc/news/zack-snyder-was-worried-wb-would-sue-him-if-he-voiced-support-fo/|url-status=live}}
In another effort to help with suicide prevention, Snyder included a billboard for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention with the message "You are not alone" in a scene in Zack Snyder's Justice League. The film features other tributes to his late daughter.{{Cite web|last=Pollock|first=Sarabeth|date=2021-03-20|title=Zack Snyder's Justice League features billboard for suicide prevention|url=https://culturess.com/2021/03/20/zack-snyders-justice-league-suicide-prevention-tribute/|access-date=2021-08-23|website=Culturess|language=en-US|archive-date=August 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816053040/https://culturess.com/2021/03/20/zack-snyders-justice-league-suicide-prevention-tribute/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=O'Connell|first=Sean|date=2021-03-18|title=Justice League's Debbie Snyder Shares A Beautiful Story Behind The Movie's American Foundation For Suicide Prevention Easter Egg|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2564527/justice-leagues-debbie-snyder-shares-a-beautiful-story-behind-the-movies-american-foundation-for-suicide-prevention-easter-egg|access-date=2021-08-23|website=CINEMABLEND|archive-date=August 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816053032/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2564527/justice-leagues-debbie-snyder-shares-a-beautiful-story-behind-the-movies-american-foundation-for-suicide-prevention-easter-egg|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Acuna|first=Kirsten|title=A billboard you might have missed in 'Zack Snyder's Justice League' has a double meaning for fans|url=https://www.insider.com/zack-snyder-justice-league-afsp-billboard-explained|access-date=2021-09-15|website=Insider|language=en-US}}
Snyder directed two PSAs for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Kanski |first=Alison |date=May 21, 2018 |title='300' director Zack Snyder takes Leukemia & Lymphoma Society campaign in bolder direction |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1465380/300-director-zack-snyder-takes-leukemia-lymphoma-society-campaign-bolder-direction/ |access-date=March 23, 2021 |website=PRWeek |language=en-US |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926165746/https://www.prweek.com/article/1465380/300-director-zack-snyder-takes-leukemia-lymphoma-society-campaign-bolder-direction |url-status=live }}
In 2021, Snyder partnered with Save the Children, a global child rights organization, to build a 100-bed temporary hospital facility in New Delhi to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in India.{{Cite web |last=Hirwani |first=Peony |date=May 11, 2021|title=Zack Snyder joins forces with Indian actor Huma Qureshi to build 100-bed temporary hospital facility in Delhi |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/zack-snyder-huma-qureshi-hospital-delhi-b1845344.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/zack-snyder-huma-qureshi-hospital-delhi-b1845344.html |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2021|website=The Independent|language=en-US}}{{cbignore}}
= Political views =
Although his films have been critiqued as having "right-wing" messages,{{Cite web|date=2021-05-21|title=Zack Snyder Denies His Films Have A Right-Wing Agenda|url=https://screenrant.com/zack-snyder-films-right-wing-agenda-response-denial/|access-date=2021-05-22|website=Screen Rant|language=en-US|archive-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522181825/https://screenrant.com/zack-snyder-films-right-wing-agenda-response-denial/|url-status=live}} politically, Snyder is a Democrat. He endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.{{Cite web|title=Zack Snyder, Dwayne Johnson Back Biden|url=https://cosmicbook.news/zack-snyder-dwayne-johnson-back-biden|access-date=2021-05-22|website=Cosmic Book News|date=October 17, 2020|language=en|archive-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522181827/https://cosmicbook.news/zack-snyder-dwayne-johnson-back-biden|url-status=live}} In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, he stated: {{blockquote|I vote Democrat! I'm a true lover of individual rights. I've always been a super-strong advocate of women's rights and a woman's right to choose, and I've always been surrounded by powerful women. And, of course, I'm a huge advocate for the rights of all ethnicities and every walk of life. I would say I'm a pretty liberal guy. I want to make sure everyone's heard and everyone feels included. I don't have a rightwing political agenda. People see what they want to see. For me, that was not certainly the point.{{cite web|last=Shoard|first=Catherine|date=May 20, 2021|title=Zack Snyder: 'I don't have a rightwing political agenda. People see what they want to see'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/may/20/zack-snyder-i-dont-have-a-rightwing-political-agenda-people-see-what-they-want-to-see|access-date=May 20, 2021|work=The Guardian|archive-date=May 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520140242/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/may/20/zack-snyder-i-dont-have-a-rightwing-political-agenda-people-see-what-they-want-to-see|url-status=live}}}}
Filmography
= Feature films =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! width="65" | Director ! width="65" | Writer ! width="65" | Producer ! width="65" | DoP ! Notes |
| 2004
| {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} |
| 2006
| 300 | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | Co-wrote with Kurt Johnstad and Michael B. Gordon |
| 2009
| Watchmen | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |
| 2010
| Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |
| 2011
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | Co-wrote with Steve Shibuya |
| 2013
| {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |
| 2016
| Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |
| 2017
| {{yes}}{{refn|group=N|name="JL"|Snyder was the director of Justice League during principal photography, but was replaced by Joss Whedon during post-production. Snyder retained directorial credit for the finished film, though reports have indicated Whedon reshot a significant portion of the film. Snyder later edited a director's cut of the film, removing all of Whedon's footage and restoring his own footage that was deleted in the theatrical release.}} | {{partial|Story}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | Co-wrote story with Chris Terrio |
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| Zack Snyder's Justice League{{refn|group=N|name="ZJL"|Snyder shot four to five minutes of additional footage in late 2020 for his cut.}} | {{yes}} | {{partial|Story}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | Co-wrote story with Chris Terrio and Will Beall |
| Army of the Dead
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | Co-wrote with Shay Hatten and Joby Harold |
| 2023
| Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire{{refn|group=N|name="RM1D"|The R-rated director's cut is retitled Rebel Moon – Chapter One: Chalice of Blood{{Cite web |title=Rebel Moon – Chapter One: Chalice of Blood |url=https://www.filmratings.com/Search?filmTitle=Rebel+Moon+-+Chapter+One%3A+Chalice+Of+Blood&x=18&y=4 |access-date=1 May 2024 |website=FilmRatings.com}}}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | rowspan=2|Co-wrote with Kurt Johnstad and Shay Hatten |
| 2024
| Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver{{refn|group=N|name="RM2D"|The R-rated director's cut is retitled Rebel Moon – Chapter Two: Curse of Forgiveness{{Cite web |title=Rebel Moon – Chapter Two: Curse of Forgiveness |url=https://www.filmratings.com/Search?filmTitle=Rebel+Moon+-+Chapter+Two%3A+Curse+Of+Forgiveness&x=0&y=0 |access-date=29 May 2024 |website=FilmRatings.com}}}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
As writer and/or producer only
| class="wikitable sortable unsortable" |
| style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! width=60 |Writer ! width=60 |Producer ! Notes |
| 2014
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | Co-wrote with Kurt Johnstad |
| 2016
| {{no}} | {{Partial|Executive}} | Also directed the Flash cameo shot |
| 2017
| {{partial|Story}} | {{Yes}} | Co-wrote story with Allan Heinberg and Jason Fuchs |
| 2018
| Aquaman | {{no}} | {{Partial|Executive}} | |
| 2020
| {{no}} | {{yes}} | |
| rowspan= "2"|2021
| {{no}} | {{Partial|Executive}} | |
| Army of Thieves
| {{partial|Story}} | {{yes}} | Co-wrote story with Shay Hatten |
= Short films =
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Title ! colspan="4" |Credited as ! rowspan="2" |Notes |
| width="65" |Director
! width="65" |Writer ! width="65" |Producer ! width="65" | DoP |
|---|
| 1990
| Playground | {{Yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | Direct-to-video documentary |
| 2004
| The Lost Tape: Andy's Terrifying Last Days Revealed | {{Yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |
| rowspan="2" |2009
| Tales of the Black Freighter | {{no}} | {{Yes}} | {{Partial|Executive}} | {{no}} | rowspan="2" |Direct-to-video |
| Under the Hood
| {{no}} | {{no}} | {{Partial|Executive}} | {{no}} |
| 2013
| Superman 75th Anniversary | {{Yes}} | {{partial|Story}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | Co-wrote story with Bruce Timm |
| 2017
| Snow Steam Iron | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Artist ! Song |
|---|
| 1989
| "Love Is a Crime" |
| rowspan="3"|1992
| "You're So Close" |
| Morrissey
| "Tomorrow" |
| rowspan=2| Soul Asylum |
| rowspan="3"|1993
| "Black Gold" |
| Alexander O'Neal
| "In the Middle" |
| Paul Westerberg
| "World Class Fad" |
| rowspan="2" |1994
| ZZ Top | "World of Swirl" |
| Dionne Farris
| "I Know" |
| 1995 |
| 2009
| "Desolation Row" |
= Television =
Awards and nominations
Snyder's body of work has earned him a number of awards, including two Clio Awards and a Gold Lion Award for his Jeep "Frisbee" commercial.{{Cite web|title=Zack Snyder|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/zack-snyder/bio/3000054650/|access-date=2021-06-08|website=TVGuide.com|language=en|archive-date=June 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608214314/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/zack-snyder/bio/3000054650/|url-status=live}} He also won the Society of British Advertisers Award for Humor for his controversial EB Beer commercial "General's Party."{{cite web|url=http://haydenclement.com/audio-with-video.html|publisher=Hayden Clement|title=Music and Sound for Picture|access-date=September 23, 2018|archive-date=October 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002151750/http://haydenclement.com/audio-with-video.html}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mufYVpgUAHg|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/mufYVpgUAHg|archive-date=2021-12-21|url-status=live|title=EB Beer "Generals Party"|website=YouTube|date=January 24, 2012 }}{{cbignore}}
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Cannes Film Festival | Golden Camera | Dawn of the Dead | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"|2007 | Golden Schmoes Award | Best Director of the Year | rowspan="4"|300 | {{nom}} |
| Hollywood Film Award | Hollywood Movie of the Year | {{won}} | ||
| rowspan="2"|2008 | rowspan="2"|Saturn Award | Best Director | {{won}} | |
| Best Writing ({{small|Shared with Michael B. Gordon & Kurt Johnstad}}) | {{nom}} | |||
| 2009 | ShoWest Award | Director of the Year | rowspan="3" |Watchmen | {{won}} |
| rowspan="3"|2010 | Saturn Award | Best Director | {{nom}} | |
| SFX Award | Best Director | {{nom}} | ||
| St. Louis Film Critics Association Award | Best Animated Feature Film | Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole | {{nom}} | |
| 2013 | Hollywood Film Award | Hollywood Movie of the Year | rowspan="2"|Man of Steel | {{nom}} |
| 2014 | Jupiter Award | Best International Film | {{nom}} | |
| rowspan=4""|2017 | Golden Raspberry Award | Worst Director | rowspan="2"|Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | {{nom}} |
| Jupiter Award | Best International Film | {{nom}} | ||
| Dragon Awards | Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie ({{small|Shared with Patty Jenkins, Allan Heinberg & Jason Fuchs}} | rowspan="5"| Wonder Woman | {{won}} | |
| Satellite Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay ({{small|Shared with Allan Heinberg & Jason Fuchs}} | {{nom}} | ||
| rowspan="3"|2018 | American Film Institute | Top Ten Films of the Year ({{small|Shared with Charles Roven, Richard Suckle & Deborah Snyder}}) | {{won}} | |
| Producers Guild of America Awards | Best Theatrical Motion Picture ({{small|Shared with Charles Roven, Richard Suckle & Deborah Snyder}} | {{nom}} | ||
| Hugo Awards | Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form ({{small|Shared with Patty Jenkins, Allan Heinberg & Jason Fuchs}} | {{Won}} | ||
| rowspan="2"|2021 | Hollywood Critics Association | Valiant Award | Himself | {{Won}} |
| Dragon Awards | Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie | Zack Snyder's Justice League | {{nom}} |
Recognition
Despite his cinematic vision giving rise to polarized opinions, Zack Snyder is strongly recognized for bringing a very influential cinematic language to mainstream Hollywood from the 2000s onwards,{{Cite web |last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |date=2023-12-21 |title=Zack Snyder, the Director People Love to Hate |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/12/zack-snyder-director-movies-rebel-moon/676903/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}} notable for adopting a high level of visual refinement, epic stories and films with deconstructivist and political narratives,{{Cite news |last=Shoard |first=Catherine |date=2021-05-20 |title=Zack Snyder: 'I don't have a rightwing political agenda. People see what they want to see' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/may/20/zack-snyder-i-dont-have-a-rightwing-political-agenda-people-see-what-they-want-to-see |access-date=2025-02-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=StudioBinder |date=2022-04-17 |title=WATCH: Zack Snyder's Visual Style Explained |url=https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/zack-snyder-movies-directing-style/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=StudioBinder |language=en-US}} which is reflected in the existence of several films with a large scale of production and long duration, such as Zack Snyder's Justice League, that holds the Guinness World Record for the longest director's cut of a film compared to the theatrical release.{{Cite web |date=18 March 2021 |title=Longest director's cut compared to the cinematic release |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/764045-longest-directors-cut-compared-to-the-cinematic-release |website=Guinness World Records}}
Oscar-winner director James Cameron, in an interview given to Comic Book Debate about the filmmakers that have at times influenced him, mentioned that the work Snyder did on 300 was pretty revolutionary at the time and introduced a new "cinematic language", along with the names of Robert Rodriguez and Ridley Scott.{{Cite web |last=Schaefer |first=Sandy |date=2017-02-20 |title=James Cameron Praises Zack Snyder |url=https://screenrant.com/james-cameron-zack-snyder-movies/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} Christopher Nolan, one of the most awarded directors of the 21st century, pointed Snyder's work as a contemporary influency on science fiction and superhero movies, stating that "There's no superhero science-fiction film coming out these days where (he) don't see some influence of Zack".{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=2023-12-26 |title=Christopher Nolan: 'There's No Superhero Science-Fiction Film Coming Out These Days Where I Don't See' Zack Snyder's Influence |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/christopher-nolan-zack-snyder-influence-superhero-movies-1235850715/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} He also emphasized the emotional power that is very characteristic of Snyder's filmography: "When you watch a Zack Snyder film, you see and feel his love for the potential of cinema. The potential of it to be fantastical, to be heightened in its reality, but to move you and to excite you."
Nolan is particularly fond of two of Snyder's films: Man of Steel and Watchmen. With regard to the former, he singled it out for its dramatic impact, highlighted by a scene about fatherhood between Clark and Jonathan Kent: "The moment in Man of Steel where Kevin Costner tells young Clark that whatever his origin, he's still his son puts a lump in my throat every time."{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2023-12-04 |title=Christopher Nolan Reveals His Favorite Zack Snyder Film Moment, Calls Watchmen 'Ahead of Its Time' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/christopher-nolan-reveals-his-favorite-zack-snyder-film-moment-calls-watchmen-ahead-of-its-time |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=IGN |language=en}} In Watchmen, its emphasis is on the avant-garde element of the work in the genre of superhero films, especially films dealing with groups of heroes and their complex interactions: "I've always believed Watchmen was ahead of its time. The idea of a superhero team, which it so brilliantly subverts, wasn't yet a thing in movies. It would have been fascinating to see it released post-Avengers."
Snyder is also recognized by his strong visual storytelling. In a commentary about his horror-remake Dawn of the Dead, Stephen King, one of the most notable writers of horror novels of all time, described his movie as "scary" and "perfectly crafted", especially its opening sequence: "Genius perfected would be Zack Snyder's 2004 Dawn [of the Dead] remake, which begins with one of the best opening sequences of a horror film ever made."{{Cite web |last=Cotter |first=Padraig |date=2023-04-19 |title=Why Stephen King Called 1 Zack Snyder Movie "Genius Perfected" |url=https://screenrant.com/stephen-king-snyder-movie-dawn-dead-remake-love/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}
However, his best-known work came to be Zack Snyder's Justice League, the result of a huge grassroots campaign for the release of the director's version of Justice League, which fell victim to a series of alterations after the director stepped down following the death of his daughter. Renowned directors and filmmakers such as Hideo Kojima,{{Cite web |last=Parks |first=Adam |date=2021-07-05 |title=Hideo Kojima Praises the Snyder Cut 'Universe' as Justice for the Director |url=https://www.cbr.com/zack-snyder-justice-league-hideo-kojima-praise/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=CBR |language=en}} the Russo Brothers,{{Cite web |last=Shirey |first=Paul |date=2022-07-14 |title=Endgame Directors Praise Snyder's Justice League As Definitive Version |url=https://screenrant.com/zack-snyder-justice-league-russo-brothers-response/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} David Lowery,{{Cite web |last=TheDigitalPlaneteer |date=2021-08-18 |title=Director David Lowery expresses praise for 'Zack Snyder's Justice League' |url=https://dailyplanetdc.com/2021/08/18/director-david-lowery-expresses-praise-for-zack-snyders-justice-league/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Daily Planet |language=en-US}} Kevin Smith{{Cite web |last=Jirak |first=Jamie |date=2021-03-20 |title=Justice League: Kevin Smith Praises Snyder Cut, Shares New Selfie With Zack Snyder |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/justice-league-kevin-smith-praises-snyder-cut-new-selfie-zack-snyder/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en-US}} and Ben Affleck{{Cite web |author=Anthony Singletary |date=2023-05-08 |title=Ben Affleck Praises 'Justice League' Director Zack Snyder |url=https://heroichollywood.com/ben-affleck-praises-justice-league-director-zack-snyder/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Heroic Hollywood |language=en-US}} expressed their support for the director's cut. It was responsible for turning Snyder in a pop culture phenomenon, generating several references in the industry for its enormous adherence to the director's cuts.{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Carson |date=2022-07-23 |title=Zack Snyder Set to Guest Star as Himself on 'Teen Titans Go!' |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/zack-snyder-teen-titans-go-1235323778/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
In addition to his work as a director, Snyder also stands out for writing scripts and stories for many films he directs or only produces, with a special mention for Wonder Woman, named one of the 10 best films of 2017 by the American Film Institute.{{Cite web |last=babrams |date=2017-12-08 |title=Wonder Woman is one of AFI's top picks for Best Film of the Year |url=https://www.motionpictures.org/2017/12/wonder-woman-is-one-of-afis-top-picks-for-best-film-of-the-year/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Motion Picture Association |language=en-US}}
He is also one of the highest-grossing film directors of all time, being in the top 40 of the worldwide ranking.{{Cite web |title=Top Grossing Director at the Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-star-records/worldwide/lifetime-specific-technical-role/director |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=The Numbers}} In 2020, he was even awarded by the Guinness World Records as the Most bankable Hollywood director, whose value to the movie industry was rated at $14,011,010 (£11,320,700) at the time.{{Cite web |date=1 April 2020 |title=Most bankable Hollywood director |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/557140-most-bankable-hollywood-director |website=Guinness World Records}}
Notes
{{Reflist|group=N}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Zack Snyder}}
{{Wikiquote}}
- [http://www.cruelfilms.com/ Cruel and Unusual Films] – Snyder's production company
- {{IMDb name|811583}}
{{Zack Snyder}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Direction}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Snyder, Zack}}
Category:American action film directors
Category:Advertising directors
Category:American Christian Scientists
Category:American male screenwriters
Category:American music video directors
Category:Connecticut Democrats
Category:Film directors from Connecticut
Category:Film directors from Wisconsin
Category:Film producers from Wisconsin
Category:Film producers from Connecticut
Category:Hugo Award–winning writers
Category:American male feminists
Category:People from Green Bay, Wisconsin
Category:People from Riverside, Connecticut
Category:American science fiction film directors
Category:Screenwriters from Connecticut