Fabian Wagner is a master of his craft. In the past, Wagner has lent his slick and stylish cinematography savvy to projects like VICTOR FRANKSTEIN, GAME OF THRONES, and most recently, DC Entertainment's JUSTICE LEAGUE.
For JUSTICE LEAGUE, Wagner worked closely by director Zack Snyder's side in an effort to bring DC's most iconic superhero team to the big screen. Since its release, critics and fans alike have expressed their discontent for the theatrical version of JUSTICE LEAGUE, which more-than-likely contributed to the fact that the movie is currently not fairing well at the box office. Some individuals have even gone so far as to pen a petition (obnoxiously written in ALL CAPS) stating that they want a Director's Cut of the film released complete with Junkie XL's original score.
Recently, while speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Wagner informed the entertainment outlet that he was surprised by the runtime for the theatrical version of JUSTICE LEAGUE. "This one was even shorter than I expected, so there are scenes that aren't in there. I really hope we get to see a director's cut, which will give us everything that we shot that didn't make it in," says Wagner. "What I love about his [Snyder's] director's cuts is they are long, but he takes his time to tell the story. I've never watched any of his directors cut and thought 'This is long." Whether they are three hours long, or three hours and ten minutes, they always seemed to go quick."
Unfortunately for Wagner, he'd been unable to participate in the reshoots helmed by Joss Whedon, who took the project over for Snyder after a personal tragedy left the filmmaker incapable of continuing his directorial obligations. Replacing Wagner as cinematographer on the project (once Whedon had stepped in) was 2nd unit photographer Jean-Philippe Gossart, who made a concentrated effort to adhere to Snyder's original vision.
In talking with THR, Wagner stated that he was comforted by Gossart being appointed to the task by saying, "He and I had been talking about what we've been doing, and he knew some of the style we've been going for," says Wagner. "It was great to have someone I know and who knew the film beforehand and could come in and give it continuity." Wagner also told the outlet about a few of his favorite shots that didn't make it into the film, including one where Batman was stationed atop a building. "There were so many days I came on set and I thought, 'Wow, I can't believe I'm shooting Batman, or shooting Superman," says Wagner.
Thankfully, one of Wagner's most significant contributions to the film remains, as his shots of The Flash's kinetic movements were without a doubt a highlight of the film's many visual effects. Wagner isn't going to take all the credit though, he even made a point of telling THR that both Zack Snyder and visual effects supervisor John 'D.J.' Des Jardin added a lot of input to these scenes.
"Both Zack and D.J. said to me that they want me to do a lot of interactive lighting, and create some sort of visual language that we could use to portray Flash's speed," Wagner says. "I really loved the characters, and I loved the tone of it,"
Personally, I enjoyed my time at the movies with JUSTICE LEAGUE. I found it to be a flawed but ultimately fun film, and if a Snyder were to release a Director's Cut, I would happily check it out.
JUSTICE LEAGUE is in theaters now.