Published on June 22nd, 2020 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

Will the Snyder Cut Help Cyborg Hit the Same Heights As Other DC Heroes?

#ReleaseTheSnyderCut. Only on HBO Max 2021. @ZackSnyder https://t.co/cfXCK1B6pA pic.twitter.com/hqeA9i7tTL
— HBO Max (@hbomax) May 20, 2020

Comic-book heroes have well and truly taken over the big screen in recent years, as a regular stream of blockbusters featuring characters from Marvel and DC have hit cinemas. However, while plenty of them have become lucrative box office successes, few have managed to generate the number of headlines and speculation enjoyed by 2017’s Justice League.

Heroes united

The follow-up to the hugely anticipated – and successful – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the movie marked the moment when DC’s own team of superheroes came together for the first time on the big screen. However, as Variety and a host of other websites have outlined, the finished article was seen by some as a disappointment – with many fans putting it down to the fact that original director Zack Snyder had stepped away from the production due to a family tragedy. While Joss Whedon helped with post-production and editing, it was felt that the movie was not ultimately what was intended.

A clear idea of Snyder’s original vision is now expected next year though, as it was confirmed in May that the so-called Snyder Cut of Justice League is set to be completed and released on the HBO Max streaming service. Bits and pieces of information related to the project are also emerging, including some suggestions that one character could have a greater role to play in proceedings.

The heart of the movie

Sites such as GamesRadar have reported in recent weeks on a Twitter exchange between Snyder and Ray Fisher, who tackled the role of Victor Stone – aka Cyborg – in the superhero adventure. After Fisher praised both the director and writer Chris Terrio for involving him in the project, Snyder replied stating simply that the actor is “the heart of my movie”.

Such comments certainly suggest that Cyborg could be set for a more central role in the new version of the movie and that would make sense considering previous hints that some of his story did not make it into the original blockbuster. For example, one of the trailers featured footage of the character’s footballing past which seemingly did not make the cut.

Fisher himself has also been open in the past about the apparent larger role that Cyborg was meant to have, with Cinema Blend reporting last year on some comments from the actor at Wizard World Comic Con. At the event, he mentioned that a significant element not included in the film was the death of the character’s mother and how that impacts on the relationship with his father.

Greater profile?

Considering what Snyder has said about Fisher, it seems inevitable that the new cut of Justice League will feature much more Cyborg – and that could be massive not only for the actor but the character as well.

There is an argument to say that Cyborg is the lesser-known member of the team, with the hero perhaps not enjoying the level of exposure experienced by some of his allies through the years. For example, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman have all become pop culture icons, with each starring in movies and the Dark Knight in particular also having plenty of adventures in video gaming. In addition, The Flash has had his very own show on The CW, while Aquaman has enjoyed a standalone big-screen outing and is set for a sequel in the future as well. Many of those characters have even had an impact in other spheres such as online casinos, with free slots based on Aquaman, Batman, Superman and other related characters available for fans of the franchises, new and old.

The #Aquaman sequel will be released December 16, 2022.
via @EW pic.twitter.com/XMoUA78xOI
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) February 27, 2019

In comparison, it is fair to say that Cyborg does not have the same level of profile. However, a strong showing as a key character in the Snyder Cut could change all of that and may lead to calls from fans for games and standalone movies based on his adventures.

A big moment

When all of that is considered, it is clear that the Snyder Cut of Justice League could be significant for both Ray Fisher and the character he plays.

It will be intriguing to see what the much-discussed new version of the blockbuster looks like when it is finally made available next year.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.