ARTICLE
Director Zack Snyder Steps Down from 'Justice League' following Family Tragedy.
By InCinemas / 23 May 2017 (Tuesday)
Credit: The Action Pixel
In his latest interview with The Hollywood Reporter (THR), director Zack Snyder reveals that he and his wife and producer Deborah Snyder are stepping down from the production of Justice League in the wake of his twenty-year-old daughter’s death.
Avengers director Joss Whedon is to take over the post-production of the film, which has been set to be released in November.
Snyder’s daughter passed away in March. He shares with THR that even though he thought he could throw himself back into work and continue with directing the film, he has decided to take time off to be with his family in this difficult time.
“In my mind, I thought it was a cathartic thing to go back to work, to just bury myself and see if that was the way through it, ”Snyder tells THR. “The demands of this job are pretty intense. It is all-consuming. And in the last two months, I’ve come to the realization … I’ve decided to take a step back from the movie to be with my family, be with my kids, who really need me. They are all having a hard time. I’m having a hard time.”
Snyder’s DC Extended Universe colleagues and other filmmakers have been quick to pay condolences to the director and his family. Among them are heads of DC Films Geoff Johns and Jon Berg, ’Wonder Woman’ director Patty Jenkins, ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ director James Gunn, and more.
My heart, eternal support & thanks to my friend & colleague @zacksnyder - one of the kindest and most inspirational artists I've ever known.
— Geoff Johns (@geoffjohns) May 22, 2017
Thank you @ZackSnyder for leading the league with passion and creativity. We are all so sorry for your family's loss.
— jon berg (@thejonberg) May 22, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with @ZackSnyder and his family. Much love to all of them.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) May 22, 2017
Snyder tells THR that his daughter's death has brought him a "new perspective". “I want the movie to be amazing, and I’m a fan, but that all pales pretty quickly in comparison," he says. “I know the fans are going to be worried about the movie, but there are seven other kids that need me. In the end, it’s just a movie. It’s a great movie. But it’s just a movie."