Justice League: Zack Snyder slams critics that call the fan base toxic

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

There is no doubt that fandom can be toxic at times and one could accuse several fanbases of stepping into that toxicity more than others. The road to Zack Snyder's Justice League finally arriving on HBO Max next month began when fans rallied for Snyder's proper of the cut of the film to see the light of day after the 2017 film, which was reworked by director Joss Whedon when Snyder had to depart for personal reasons, was met with a less than enthusiastic response upon release. Fans demanding Snyder's cut has caused some critics to call the fan base "toxic" because of the extreme movement they made via social media to make it happen but Snyder is defending those fans via a talk with "CinemaBlend" and hitting back at critics who he believes unfairly put them in that category.

"I just think that's sour grapes. There's really no other way to say it. We know the people who were the architects of that narrative, and it's pretty obvious what their agenda is. Those are people that I've been held back from confronting, by wiser people in the room. Because I'd love to get at some of these characters. Some direct conversation would be nice. Just to say, one, you don't know shit about what you're talking about. And we can break down everything they've ever [said]. I can make a list. There's a few of these guys where I could just get a list of everything they've ever said, that they thought was right, and [I could tell them] every single thing they've said is wrong."

The #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement hit a fever pitch in 2020 when WarnerMedia and Zack Snyder made it official that a new and proper version of Justice League was coming to HBO Max. The end result was three long years of campaigning and actually raising money for non-profit organizations via the campaigns that were set up to get the cut released. All of this work could not be ignored by WarnerMedia which led to the decision being made to finally getting Snyder's cut released. Some believed that this was a win for "toxic fans" who are perceived to whine until they get their way when a film's narrative doesn't go in the direction they anticipated. A lot of these campaigns end up being mere social media debates but they were able to make this a movement that worked. Snyder goes on to expand on why their passion for the cut wasn't toxic and how their movement raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for causes like suicide prevention:

"And so, in what world do you have any credibility anywhere, to any- one? I would love the opportunity to just say to the world, and to fandom in general, who these fakers are and what should be done to them, or with them. It's just a bunch of BS. In regards to that toxic fandom, or it's 'a win for toxic fandom,' again, in what world does this 'toxic fandom' raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for suicide prevention? How is that toxic fandom? They've probably achieved more than any other fan base, [and done more] good than any other group. So I don't understand."

 In all actuality, I'd call the fan base more passionate than toxic. The #ReleaseTheSnyderCut campaign raised over $200,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention which is a cause close to Snyder's heart since he lost his daughter Autumn to suicide. This doesn't even take into account all the other money they raised for other charities and non-profits so if a lot of good came out of fighting to get the Snyder Cut released, perhaps it should be viewed from a more positive standpoint. 

Do YOU think the Justice League fan base is toxic?