Zack Snyder Doubles Down on MCU Critique: “I Had No Interest in That”

Zack Snyder stands firm on his long-running superhero critique, noting that the MCU style of doing things is simply nor for him and he prefers to explore the mythology behind superheroes.

Over the years, Zack Snyder has developed a range of superhero movies, beginning with the ardently comic-book-faithful Watchmen (2009) and later launching the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) with Man of Steel (2013). His style is highly stylized, treating the superheroes involved as gods and leaning heavily on the mythological aspect. For so many viewers, this approach struck a chord; for others, it was less engaging. But whatever your stance, it’s undeniable that his style and vision are unique, and they culminated with his definitive, four-hour director’s cut of Justice League in 2021.

Snyder has not returned to superhero storytelling since Justice League, but he’s criticized how the industry has developed from afar. For instance, back in 2023, he said that he was experiencing “superhero fatigue,” stating that studios had found themselves in a “cul-de-sac” where filmmakers can no longer tell standalone, self-contained stories. That said, he also holds respect for Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and the long-running MCU — his core gripe with the industry is very much that studios are treating the “MCU formula” as the only way to make movies.

Most recently, Snyder discussed the MCU once more. “[Marvel is] like an amusement park ride, right? The ups, the drops, the kind of cruising part, and then another drop. At the end, you’re like, ‘Wow, that was crazy, that was awesome,’” he told The Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview.

While there’s clear respect for what the MCU is doing, the franchise’s specific approach isn’t to his creative tastes. “I had no interest in that… I’d rather just kind of talk about the mythology of them. And maybe that’s not as fun.”

There’s got to be a place for both styles of superhero storytelling, right? After all, the Snyder fans out there are extremely good at making themselves heard. And the MCU is back to riding high these days, with the latest Spider-Man: Brand New Day soaring to over $2 billion at the global box office, and Avengers: Doomsday set to make a gargantuan impression in December.

Snyder won’t rule out returning to make more superhero movies, although his viewing habits suggest that he’s on a break from them. When asked ~~about~~ whether he’s watched James Gunn’s Superman (2025), he candidly replied, “I just haven’t gotten around to it yet,” but pledged his support for Gunn and Peter Safran’s ongoing project. No hard feelings.