The Snyder Cut

Cosmic Book News: Zack Snyder, Christopher Nolan & Saudis Set To Bring Back The SnyderVerse (Exclusive)​

On the eve of the anniversary of the theatrical Justice League release, our insiders have reached out with major updates about Zack Snyder, the sale of Warner Bros. Discovery, and what is now being described as a full-play scenario for the return of the SnyderVerse.

Warner Bros. Discovery is officially up for sale, and it’s no coincidence that Zack Snyder has been posting nonstop DCEU images and liking fan content on Instagram that compares the performance of his films to James Gunn’s struggling DCU projects. The timing lines up with what we have been told: if WBD is sold, James Gunn will be out as head of DC Studios.

This comes from the same insider who told us Daredevil: Born Again was being completely retooled — months before The Hollywood Reporter confirmed it exactly as we reported. It’s the same source who has been accurately filling us in on the WBD sale and David Zaslav’s plans before the trades caught up. Their track record speaks for itself.

SnyderVerse in “Full Play” for a Return​

Regarding DC, the message from our insider is clear: the SnyderVerse is back in play — fully. That means Zack Snyder returning to DC, not just for a one-off Elseworlds title, but for an actual revival of the universe he started.

We’re told Christopher Nolan is also part of the plan to return as executive producer. That’s the same Christopher Nolan who backed Snyder on Man of Steel and helped shape the original vision for DC before WB derailed it with studio interference. According to what we have been previously told, it was also Nolan’s decision to hand over DC to Snyder.

While Snyder has publicly said he wanted to end his DC career with an adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns, we’re now told that the impending sale of WBD has shifted everything. He is pivoting toward restoring the SnyderVerse outright.

If that happens, it implies the return of Ben Affleck as Batman — who publicly rejected working with Gunn’s DCU after its announcement — and Henry Cavill as Superman. Fans remember Cavill’s widely-seen interview with Josh Horowitz confirming his comeback, only for Gunn to immediately upend it. Gal Gadot has also been visibly active supporting SnyderVerse posts. None of this is accidental. Even Ezra Miller is making some sort of Hollywood return.

Update: We’re told the Saudis want to rival Marvel and Avengers: Doomsday with a SnyderVerse-level event.

Update #2: We’re told Henry Cavill is back as Superman, Ben Affleck “possibly” as Batman, and more.

Saudis in the Driver’s Seat​

We’re told Saudi Arabia is now the frontrunner to acquire WBD.

According to our source, “They’re in the driver’s seat with their trillion-dollar fund.”

And here’s the critical part: Zack Snyder already works with the Saudis.

Update: Variety now reports that Paramount has teamed with the Saudis to buy WBD.

Snyder and the UFC partnered with Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, chaired by Turki Alalshikh, to produce Brawler, an upcoming film Snyder is directing and co-writing. The Saudis trust Snyder creatively, and he is already tied directly into their entertainment expansion.

Our insider says this is exactly why Snyder has been highlighting his SnyderVerse work on social media. The signals aren’t random — they’re building momentum.

We’re told that Hollywood as a whole is also signing massive new deals with the Saudis, including Trump, and figures connected to Trump’s circle like his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The kingdom wants major entertainment assets, major franchises, and massive theme-park IP.

“Zack Snyder and the UFC have a partnership with the country’s General Entertainment Authority, led by Turki Alalshikh, to produce a new movie titled Brawler. Snyder will direct and co-write the film, which is about a young fighter’s journey through the ranks of the UFC,” our source told us. “That makes it a possibility that Zack finishes his DCEU saga, with Christopher Nolan involved as exec producer.”

Theme Park Power: Universal + Warner​

Our source also confirms that the Saudis want a massive Universal/Warner-themed park as part of their Vision 2030 initiative. That means the potential to bring DC Universe, Universal Monsters, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings all under one entertainment umbrella.

A fully restored SnyderVerse lines up with that ambition.

A WBD acquisition gives them everything: DC, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Universal Monsters, and more.

Hollywood Producer Confirms Saudi Deal Near Completion​

Our insider pointed us to comments from Hollywood producer Patrick Caligiuri, who said he was the first to report Saudi Arabia’s interest in WBD back in October. According to Caligiuri, who recently returned from Saudi Arabia, the deal is nearly done.

He stated that Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is “one signature away” from completion and that the price could reach $70 billion.

If true, the sale could close faster than anyone expected, and the SnyderVerse could return far sooner than fans ever thought possible.

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CBN: SnyderVerse Buzz Has Awakened The Dragon: China Fans Embrace Snyder Hype, Reject Gunn’s Superman​

The renewed SnyderVerse talk isn’t just loud in the U.S. — it’s blowing up overseas, especially in China.

I’m seeing a big spike in China-based traffic for Snyder content – more than I have ever seen previously – which lines up with what the box-office history already proved: Snyder’s DC movies played in China, while James Gunn’s Superman didn’t land at all.

Box office comparison​

Here’s the breakdown (not even counting for inflation) of the foreign and Chinese box offices:

Superman (2025)

• International: $262.5M
• China: $8.9M

Man of Steel (2013)

• International: $379.1M
• China: $63.44M

Batman v Superman (2016)

• International: $544M
• China: $95.77M

Justice League (theatrical – 2017)

• International: $432.3M
• China: $106.05M

Contrast is massive​

Snyder’s DC releases consistently cracked $60M–$100M+ in China. Gunn’s Superman didn’t even hit $10M, even though Gunn went on a “worldwide tour” and skipped Comic-Con.

The contrast is massive, and Chinese fans online have made it clear: Snyder’s more serious, mythic tone connected with them, while Gunn’s lighter, politically-messaged goofy reboot didn’t.

Fans Overseas Say Gunn’s Superman Missed the Mark​

I’ve talked with many foreign fans and immigrant friends of mine, and none of this surprises them. The reactions were consistent:

• They hated the Kaiju scene where Superman leaves an Asian character stranded on a rooftop mid-battle. The felt the message from Gunn was one of mockery.
• The warring fictional countries subplot felt like commentary on American foreign policy, which global audiences generally dislike in superhero films.

Meanwhile, Snyder’s movies connected because they kept the focus on mythic heroes, big stakes, and clean storytelling without political messaging.

Fans also repeatedly point out that Man of Steel is an immigrant story that treats the immigrant as a force for good. In contrast, they felt Gunn’s film flipped that idea on its head — especially with the change to Jor-El — sending a message that immigrants are dangerous instead of hopeful.

Snyder’s approach works across borders, especially in China, where audiences connect with Superman and Batman as grand, larger-than-life figures, not goofballs who keep getting beaten down.

Snyder Hype Overseas Is Surging Again​

With the Saudis linked to a potential WBD buyout (they love Snyder) and insiders saying Snyder could be reinstated, the overseas excitement is back, again, something missing from Gunn’s DCU.

China-based engagement is spiking. My site is seeing a major spike in China traffic for SnyderVerse content — the highest in years — showing renewed interest as talk of Snyder’s return spreads.

There’s a real sense that global audiences — especially major markets like China — want Snyder back more than the people running DC right now understand.

China wants the Return of the SnyderVerse​

China was always a huge part of Snyder’s DC success, and the audience is reacting again now that a SnyderVerse return seems possible.

Gunn’s Superman didn’t connect globally, and China’s numbers make that clear. Snyder’s films did — and still do.

If the next WBD owner wants the DC brand to matter overseas again, the path is obvious.

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